Lawrence Works was 20 when he died in a training collision off Anacapa Island in 1945. His 61 letters home show what it was like to be a young Navy aircrewman getting ready for war.
Swell Ships and Flying Coffins: The Letters of Lawrence Works
Category: AWoSC
B-36 Peacemaker Photogrammetry Models
Intro/Background I'm currently finishing up the chapter in the book on the B-36 wreck off Mission Beach. It is quite a story and has taken more time than most of the other chapters to get it just right. It took a lot of additional research, reading and re-reading accident reports and newspaper articles to get [...]
PBM Mariner Wreck: Side-by-Side Photogrammetry Model Comparisons
The author revisits the PBM Mariner wreck off Point Loma to improve a previous photogrammetry model, dealing with minor equipment issues and poor surface conditions during the dive. The new model features enhanced color and detail, providing a more accurate visual document of the historically significant wreck for an upcoming book.
Revisiting the TBM Avenger: A Deep-Wreck Photogrammetry Project
Photogrammetry model of a deep TBM Avenger that crashed in 1952. Bureau Number is 53439.
Exploring the F-4 Phantom Wreck in San Diego
Photogrammetry model of the F-4 Phantom wreck off Torrey Pines at 150 fsw, built from about 600 photos on a day with good visibility. Includes dive video, a blueprint overlay and a live 3D model.
Photogrammetry in Wreck Diving: Insights from the F4D Skyray
A return dive to the F4D Skyray wreck at just over 200 feet to build a better photogrammetry model. Poor visibility left gaps in the result, and the post compares the new model with the original from 2021.
From Italy to Aviation: The Colapietro Journey
Research for the Skyray chapter of “Aviation Wrecks of Southern California.” The story of Pete Colapietro, the test pilot who survived bailing out of an F4D at 650 mph, and his family’s path from Italy to Windsor Locks, Connecticut, with family photos shared by his nephew.
The Mystery of the Purple Heart: Stephen Endres’ Journey
The author is focused on researching the Aviation Wrecks of Southern California, specifically detailing the military history of Stephen Endres, a Purple Heart recipient from WW II. Despite challenges in contacting his relatives, significant information about his service and injuries has been uncovered, emphasizing his heroic contributions in combat.
Diving the Solana Beach P-38 Wreck: Enhanced 3D Modeling Techniques
In 2022, a P-38 wreck was discovered off Solana Beach, leading to initial photogrammetry modeling. As skills improved, a recent dive on January 22 aimed to enhance the quality of the model for the book "Aviation Wrecks of Southern California." Despite complications, a clearer, more accurate representation was successfully created.
Aviation Wrecks of Southern California
I have been asked many times "when are you going to write a book?" I was gently prodded in December 2024 when my wonderful wife "published" a book with some of my diving trips and pictures and gifted it to me as a Christmas present. I've been thinking about what would make a book that [...]
