Aircraft Wrecks in the Mountains and Deserts of the American West


B-36D
8/5/52
Project Remembrance

See complete story at UB88

 

In the fall of 2009 Frederick Hoffman and his youngest son Nathan traveled from Northern California to San Diego. His mission was to pay his respects to a father he never had a chance to know. His dad was Walt Hoffman, first flight engineer aboard the ill-fated Convair B-36D that crashed into the Pacific Ocean west of Mission Bay 8/5/52. Walt Hoffman was the last man to bail out of the burning B-36D, but his body was never recovered.

In the fall of 2009 Frederick Hoffman and his youngest son Nathan traveled from Northern California to San Diego. His mission was to pay his respects to a father he never had a chance to know. His dad was Walt Hoffman, first flight engineer aboard the ill-fated Convair B-36D that crashed into the Pacific Ocean west of Mission Bay 8/5/52. Walt Hoffman was the last man to bail out of the burning B-36D, but his body was never recovered.
 

Captain Ray Arntz of the Sundiver II took Frederick and Nathan Hoffman to the exact spot where the B-36D lay for more than half a century.

Also on board the Sundiver II were G. Pat Macha and his wife Mary Jane.

Frederick and his son Nathan over the final resting place of B-35D 49-2661A.

Departing the crash site on an early fall morning brought a sense closure and understanding for all on board the Sudiver II.
(All photos by G. P. Macha)

 

 

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