The L-8 Blimp
The L-8 Blimp
Blimps were used in World War Two to patrol enemy submarines. There were many airbases within the United States. The one from this mystery was located in Moffett Field, California. The airfield was located on Treasure Island on the San Francisco Bay. This particular airfield was used for patrolling the shore line of the pacific and for delivering supplies. Most people have not heard about the L-8, a fascinating real life mystery from World War Two that has gone unsolved for over 60 years. The L-8 was a great observing ship that helped the United States Coast Guard for many years until one day the pilots of the ship magically disappeared and were never seen again. The L-8 wasn’t intended to be a military craft. It was supposed to be a Goodyear blimp. It was built in 1941 to replace the 1940 Goodyear Ranger, which had never been sold to the navy. Goodyear delivered the L-8 in February of 1942 to Moffett Field, California. The purpose for the purchase was to specifically spot Japanese submarines off the Pacific coast, and also to periodically deliver supplies to aircraft carriers. On board all Navy blimps sat two three hundred and fifty pound bombs it could drop when it spotted an enemy or was in distress. Safety supplies also included were life vest and parachutes. The crew also carried a VHF radio used for communications back to the home base field in case of emergency or reporting sight of an enemy submarine. On the morning of August 16, 1942, the L-8 was sent out on its morning voyage. On board were two men, first was Lieutenant Ernest Dewitt Cody, a very experienced pilot with many hours in the L-8. Next was Ensign Charles Ellis Adams who was brand new to the job. That morning mechanic J Riley Hill, started to prepare the L-8 for its flight. As he did his walk around everything looked fine to him, and perfectly in tact. At six o’clock in the morning, they departed from Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay, leaving behind their
Blimps were used in World War Two to patrol enemy submarines. There were many airbases within the United States. The one from this mystery was located in Moffett Field, California. The airfield was located on Treasure Island on the San Francisco Bay. This particular airfield was used for patrolling the shore line of the pacific and for delivering supplies. Most people have not heard about the L-8, a fascinating real life mystery from World War Two that has gone unsolved for over 60 years. The L-8 was a great observing ship that helped the United States Coast Guard for many years until one day the pilots of the ship magically disappeared and were never seen again. The L-8 wasn’t intended to be a military craft. It was supposed to be a Goodyear blimp. It was built in 1941 to replace the 1940 Goodyear Ranger, which had never been sold to the navy. Goodyear delivered the L-8 in February of 1942 to Moffett Field, California. The purpose for the purchase was to specifically spot Japanese submarines off the Pacific coast, and also to periodically deliver supplies to aircraft carriers. On board all Navy blimps sat two three hundred and fifty pound bombs it could drop when it spotted an enemy or was in distress. Safety supplies also included were life vest and parachutes. The crew also carried a VHF radio used for communications back to the home base field in case of emergency or reporting sight of an enemy submarine. On the morning of August 16, 1942, the L-8 was sent out on its morning voyage. On board were two men, first was Lieutenant Ernest Dewitt Cody, a very experienced pilot with many hours in the L-8. Next was Ensign Charles Ellis Adams who was brand new to the job. That morning mechanic J Riley Hill, started to prepare the L-8 for its flight. As he did his walk around everything looked fine to him, and perfectly in tact. At six o’clock in the morning, they departed from Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay, leaving behind their