Taras Lyssenko estimates that there are still 70-80 airplanes in the lake. The Wildcat retrieved Dec. 7th was one of many used to train pilots for landing and taking off from aircraft carriers. This one rolled off a converted steamship on December 28, 1944, and crashed into the lake about 45 miles southeast of Waukegan after engine failure after its third takeoff.
Pilot Edward Forbes was rescued and continued his training. He died in 2008 t age 85. I would imagine he served in the war.
During the war 15,000 to 18,000 pilots would leave Glenview Naval Air Station to practice landings and takeoffs from two steamships in Lake Michigan that had been converted into makeshift aircraft carriers, one being the USS Wolverine.
The reason for aircraft carriers in Lake Michigan was the threat of enemy submarines off the coasts. The large number of planes that crashed into Lake Michigan was partly due to pilot error, which is understandable in training. Also, part of the problem was that they were flying planes near the end of their active flying, many having already been used in war zones.
Glenview Hangar One Foundation operates a small museum at 2040 Lehigh Avenue. The air station closed in 1995.
Still More Planes Out There Under the Waves. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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