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U.S. Army Justin Taylan 2000 |
Pilot Lt. Milton H Ashkins Mechanic Sgt. R. A. Roberts Crashed June 16, 1941 Aircraft History Built by Douglas as O-38F during 1933. Constructors Number 1177. Delivered to the U.S. Army National Guard as one of eight unarmed staff liaison aircraft with a R-1690-9 radial engine and fully enclosed canopy. This plane was one of the first military aircraft assigned to Alaska. During October 1940 the first plane to land at Ladd Field. Mission History On June 16, 1941 took off from Ladd Field on a mission and suffered an engine failure and made a soft crash landing in the wilderness, seventy miles southeast of Fairbanks. Both crew members we injured in the crash but able to walk Fates of the Crew After the crash, Ashkins and Roberts were dropped supplies and walked to safety. Wreckage Remained in situ until June 1968. Recovery Recovered by helicopter during June 1968 and remained in remarkable condition despite the 27 years in the wilderness. During the recovery, the salvage team was even able to light their campfires using the aircraft's remaining fuel. The seats were found in the shack of a local frontiersman being used as chairs. He had also taken the tail wheel for use in a wheelbarrow someday. Afterwards, all the wreckage was transported to Dayton, OH. Restoration This O-38F was static restored with the original engine at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (USAF Museum) . Structural pieces of the wings had to be reverse engineered from original plans and damaged parts and was completed by 1974. Display Since 1974, displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (USAF Museum) in the Interwar Years Gallery. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - Douglas O-38F 33-324 "324 damaged Jun 16, 1941 at Salcha River, AK, repaired. WFU. On display at WPAFB museum." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 29, 2023 |
 O-38 |
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