Northrop N-3PB, c/n 320
The Incident:
On April 21, 1943 floatplane 320 GS U took off from Búðareyri to Reykjavík. The pilot was Lt. Wisewolod Walentinowl Bulukin and the wireless operator was Leif Dag Rustad. On route to Reykjavík, the crew encountered heavy snow-showers. They were forced to land on the glacier river Þjórsá. Fortunately, both crew members swam ashore to safety and were able to get back to their squadron within a few days. Meanwhile, back in the river, the 320 sank down into mud and water.
Thirty-six years later, N-3PB 320 was successfully salvaged from the Thjórsá river in Iceland. In November 1979 the wreck was flown to Northrop Aircraft Division plant at Hawthorne, California to be fully restored. A year later, on November 10, 1980 the only remaining example of the Northrop N-3PB was proudly rolled out at the plant, following a complete restoration.
The float plane is displayed at Gardermoen Air Museum, Norway.
The Crew:
Survived
Lt. Wisewolod Walentinowl Bulukin
Leif Dag Rustad
The Aircraft:
Northrop Aircraft Inc. Northrop N-3PB
Code: GS U
Construction no. 320
Operator: The RAFN 330 Squadron.
The Squadron operated Northrop N-3PB in Iceland from May 19, 1941, to January 24, 1943.
The squadron lost 12 airmen and 11 aircraft during the stay in Iceland.
Details on aircraft: Wikipedia, Youtube
