Posted by Jesse O'Connor on November 14, 2002 at 09:51:04:
In Reply to: Re: 'Bomber Mountain' in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains posted by Matt Gollobit on June 28, 2002 at 14:00:39:
Matt,
Did you make it to the site last September?
I haven't been there since July of 1997 when all the large pieces were
exposed. When there I found none of the props though R. Scott Madsen's
book shows people posing with at least one blade in intact condition. His
book also shows prize pieces such as machine guns photographed in his garage,
having been removed from the site. I suspect all such attractive pieces
have removed even though fairly heavy. The guns must have weighed a lot
and been horse or mule-packed down, at least from Florence Lake!
We must have made our way down to the lake by a different route for
we never saw the trail of abandoned "collectable" pieces. There was snow
too which may have obscured the boots and clothing articles described by
others. The largest section of fuselage, one the eastern slope (whereas
the tail turret and the horizontal and vertical stabilizers were on the
west-facing slope) was identifiable as dorsal from aft of the cockpit and
was about ten feet long, I recall.
I'm interested in the conditions you found if you made it! Did you
locate the plaque on Florence Lake?
This is a site of great patriotic and historic significance far exceeding
the hobby of wreck hunting. It is hoped that sites like this and interest
in them preserve the story of sacrifice
against the backdrop of national and local heritage.
Any assistance I can offer is extended to you.
Best wishes,
Jesse O'Connor
Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce
Teton County Historic Preservation Board
Jackson Hole Historical Society