Incredible photos of some of the 150 U.S. WWII aircraft lying in the Airplane Graveyard in the Pacific

July 12, 2015 Military History
David Cenciotti

There are over 150 Allied WWII aircraft lying 130 feet under the Pacific Ocean near the Marshall Islands.

They call it the “Airplane Graveyard.”

It is located 130 feet under the Pacific Ocean, in the Kwajalein Atoll, Roi-Namur, near the Marshall Islands.

More than 150 U.S. aircraft of the World War II can be found over there, where fierce battle between American and Japanese forces left a trail of wrecks on the deep lagoon floor.

Avenger

Brandi Mueller, a Merchant Mariner licensed by the U.S. Coastguard, captured some stunning photographs of Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, F4U Corsairs, TBF/TBM Avengers, Helldivers, B-25 Mitchells, Curtiss C-46 Commandos and F4F Wildcats, that he made available to Argunners Magazine (click the link for more images!)

B-25 Mitchell

Douglas SBD Dauntless 2

C-46 Commando

Noteworthy, these planes were actually not shot down: according to Mueller, “they were taken out over the reef and pushed off intact after the war ended.”

Douglas SBD Dauntless

F4F Wildcat

Helldiver

Image credit: Brandi Mueller / Argunners Magazine

 

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About David Cenciotti
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David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

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10 Comments

  1. Kwajalein atoll, with Roi-Namur at the opposite end from Kwajalein island, is a magnificent place to dive as it has crystal clear water. But, it is also rife with sharks, especially on the ocean side of the reef.

    Inside the reef, even wading by the beach is dangerous as you will encounter such things as Stone Fish that just lay there in tidal pools. Pick one up and you will be in the hospital with a very nasty poisonous sting.

    Educate yourself if you ever go that very beautiful place!

    • Ron Johnstone, thanks for your comment but don’t forget that Kwajalein Atoll is also a restricted military base.

      • I spent quite a bit of time there and was one of the very few with a RV1 badge. Numerous contractors have their families there and there are always business people visiting that may not be aware of the local conditions.

        It is part of the Marshall Islands and tourists can visit others in the chain with similar danger to divers although less interesting war relics in the water.

    • Dear Rats123, it sure is but it brought some beautiful pictures isn’t it ;) !

  4. The English language does not contain enough superlatives and adjectives to properly describe what I am seeing so you’ll have to settle for “Great article!”

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