Crash site R3D-2 (VMJ-252)
 

My name is Chris Berger. I come from Switzerland. My interests are
the models and the history of aircrafts of Douglas Commercials.
Especially the DC-5 or Navy Version R3D!
I guess the unique model that not was scraped was the plane with
US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNo 1904 (Second Series).

It served in the Marine Utility Squadron 252 (VMJ-252).
1904 (c/n 609) transferred to Pacific shortly after Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor and crashed on an island off Australian
coast after being hit by Japanese submarine Jan 31, 1942.

The main source of additional information concerning aircraft losses
is from action reports or war diaries submitted by the aviation
squadron to which the airplane was attached. I searched VMJ-252
action reports and war diaries but they all began in April 1942
several months after the loss of this aircraft.

Who has any informations about this plane (crew members, flight plan,
flight order, maps, and anything about the crash site)?
Who has connections to boeing? I'm looking for blueprints, drawings, manuals, ect).
From Boeing, I received no answer for my request. I’m looking for all
information that you have!!

I’m sorry for my English language. It’s not really perfect!
Thank you for your effort!!

with kind regards

Chris Berger

Re: Crash site R3D-2 (VMJ-252)
 

Hi Chris
Try this site http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/t/1053/3/0/2 which gives a profile view of your a/c and has a ref to a German website that seems to cover the type
Regards
Dick

Re: Crash site R3D-2 (VMJ-252)
 

Chris

The latest research with regard to BuN 1904 is that it did not reach Australia at all. The story about it being shot down by submarine fire is a myth and cannot be substantiated. The truth is that while belonging to VMJ-2, the intention was to transfer it to CinCPAC and base it in Australia, but this never happened. So while VMJ-2 became VMJ-252 the aeroplane stayed in Hawaii and was DBF during the Japanese attack, most probably at Ewa airfield. The aeroplane was SOC 31.1.1942

Cheers
Stig