Please help out a newcomer!

[Gage]

I am currently working with a group of high school students in a large project. We have formed a club, with the sole intention of retrieving 2 P-51B model aircrafts from a lake near our city. We have begun the process, and one of the most important aspects I feel we need to focus on is finding it with scanning equipment. Since sidescan sonar and a magnetometer are obviously some of the best options, I decided to find out what we can possibly accomplish.


I'm looking to build or find a suitable sidescan sonar unit or magnetometer, for use in underwater location, with limited funds. Our budget has been $400, yet a few hundred more may be possible.


Please help me out as much as possible!!!


Thank you very much.


Gage


E-Mail me at


[email protected]


Please reply!!!

[Dell Winders]

Re: Please help out a newcomer!

>I am currently working with a group of high school students in a large project. We have formed a club, with the sole intention of retrieving 2 P-51B model aircrafts from a lake near our city. We have begun the process, and one of the most important aspects I feel we need to focus on is finding it with scanning equipment. Since sidescan sonar and a magnetometer are obviously some of the best options, I decided to find out what we can possibly accomplish.


>I'm looking to build or find a suitable sidescan sonar unit or magnetometer, for use in underwater location, with limited funds. Our budget has been $400, yet a few hundred more may be possible.


>Please help me out as much as possible!!!


>Thank you very much.


>Gage


>E-Mail me at


>[email protected]


>Please reply!!!


REPLY by DELL:


We have a good number of ditched WW-II training aircraft in the lakes here in Central Florida. High prices are offered for the recovery of these planes because they use the parts to make molds from to make new replacement parts for the existing models. Unfortunately, after the expense of search & recovery, the aircraft is confistigated the minute it comes out of the water.


This not a perfect answer for your search, but it can be a help. Interphase Technologies, Inc of Soquel, Ca makes a neat little Forward Scanning Sonar called Twinscope that sells for around $1,500. It has a scanning range up to 200 feet, a controllable beam width up to 90 degrees and lots of features. half of the screen can be used for vertical scanning. (Same as a fishfinder)


An operation guide video can be obtained for $30 by calling (800) 233-0406. Hope this helps. Dell

[Carl]

Re: Please help out a newcomer!

>I am currently working with a group of high school students in a large project. We have formed a club, with the sole intention of retrieving 2 P-51B model aircrafts from a lake near our city. We have begun the process, and one of the most important aspects I feel we need to focus on is finding it with scanning equipment. Since sidescan sonar and a magnetometer are obviously some of the best options, I decided to find out what we can possibly accomplish.


Not sure how much steel was used in these. Obviously the landing gear and some engine parts, and possibly some chromoly steel in the frame (don't remember how "magnetic" chromoly steel is). It might look like a small target for a mag.


>I'm looking to build or find a suitable sidescan sonar unit or magnetometer, for use in underwater location, with limited funds. Our budget has been $400, yet a few hundred more may be possible.


You can build a basic mag for this and can even build a poor-man's SSS like Dan Fountain's, but it will take a lot of time and effort. I suggest you do a lot of looking around and try to get someone to either loan or rent you a sonar or who is willing to donate a little of their time in scanning the lake.


Let us know the outcome of this. I'm a pilot myself and love vintage aircraft, esp. WW2 era.


- Carl