WWII Airplane Rescued from a Lake Takes Flight After 80 Years

Lost in 1945, Found in 1984

In 1945, a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was damaged during a hard landing at a naval air station in Seattle. The U.S. Navy removed its parts, then used the aircraft for fire training. After serving that role, it was taken out to Lake Washington and dropped into 150 feet of water. At the time, it was seen as useless scrap.

Almost four decades later, in 1984, two young students, including 19-year-old Matt McCauley, decided to bring it back. With determination and basic equipment, they raised the corroded aircraft from the lake. McCauley, already passionate about aviation history, worked for years to preserve what others had forgotten.

From Legal Battles to a Flying Icon

After recovering the Helldiver, McCauley and his team faced legal trouble. The U.S. Navy claimed ownership, arguing that the plane was never abandoned. A court eventually ruled in favor of McCauley’s group. The plane was then sold to a collector in Colorado, where it began a long restoration.

Out of 7,140 SB2Cs built during the war, only a few survived. Today, just three are airworthy. This one—rescued by students and restored over decades—is now flying once again. For visitors, it’s a rare sight. For McCauley, watching it soar after 80 years was deeply rewarding.

A Hobby Rooted in History

McCauley and his friends recovered five Navy planes from the lake over several years. Though they sold them to collectors, the goal was never profit. It was about saving a piece of history. Their efforts ensured that at least one forgotten aircraft would fly again and remind future generations of its role in World War II.

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