These Three Planes Flown by Tuskegee Airmen Remain Hidden in Lake Huron

The Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American pilots in U.S. military history, served with distinction during World War II. Despite facing segregation and discrimination, they flew missions across Europe and North Africa, proving their skill and bravery. However, some of their training exercises had tragic outcomes. Several planes flown by Tuskegee Airmen crashed into Lake Huron during training in 1943. These planes remain hidden in the depths of the lake, and the stories of their pilots are often overlooked. Here are the three aircraft still lost in Lake Huron.

1. Curtiss P-40F Warhawk – 2nd Lt. Wilmeth W. Sidat-Singh

On May 9, 1943, 2nd Lt. Wilmeth W. Sidat-Singh was flying a Curtiss P-40F Warhawk when his plane tragically crashed into Lake Huron near East Tawas. Sidat-Singh, a talented athlete before becoming a pilot, was part of the Tuskegee Airmen’s training program. His flight that day was part of a routine training exercise, but something went wrong, and his plane plunged into the waters of Lake Huron.

The Curtiss P-40F Warhawk was a versatile aircraft used for both training and combat, known for its sturdy design. It was used in several theaters of the war, including North Africa and the Pacific. However, Sidat-Singh’s crash shows the risks that came with these training missions. His body was never recovered, and the exact location of the Warhawk remains unknown. The crash is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made even before these pilots reached the battlefield.

2. Vultee BT-13A Valiant – 2nd Lt. Nathaniel Milton Hill and 2nd Lt. Luther Linson Blakeney

Just over a month after Sidat-Singh’s crash, another tragedy struck on June 16, 1943. A Vultee BT-13A Valiant, flown by 2nd Lt. Nathaniel Milton Hill, crashed into Lake Huron, roughly two miles off Oscoda. Hill was accompanied by 2nd Lt. Luther Linson Blakeney, who served as a weather observer on the flight. The aircraft was on a training mission when it went down.

The BT-13A Valiant was widely used for training purposes during World War II. It was not a combat plane but was crucial for preparing pilots for more advanced aircraft. Unfortunately, the weather that day likely played a role in the crash. Training flights often faced challenges, including unexpected weather changes and mechanical issues. While the exact cause of the crash remains uncertain, the loss of both Hill and Blakeney was deeply felt among their fellow airmen. The wreckage of the plane has yet to be found, lying somewhere in the deep waters of Lake Huron.

3. Bell P-39Q Airacobra – 2nd Lt. William E. Hill

The final crash occurred on November 22, 1943, when 2nd Lt. William E. Hill was piloting a Bell P-39Q Airacobra over Lake Huron near Harrisville. Like the others, Hill was part of the Tuskegee training program, preparing for combat missions. His plane went down under mysterious circumstances, and his remains, along with the aircraft, were never recovered.

The Bell P-39Q Airacobra was a unique aircraft used during World War II. Known for its unusual design, with the engine placed behind the pilot, the Airacobra was primarily used in ground-attack missions and was favored by the Soviet Union during the war. In the U.S., it was mostly employed for training purposes by the time of Hill’s crash. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear, but it is believed that weather or mechanical failure may have contributed to the crash. Hill’s loss added another tragedy to the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, and like the other planes, his P-39Q Airacobra remains lost beneath the waters of Lake Huron.