OT: The Mystery of the Desert Turret

[Korvar]

Why is there an armored turret in the middle of the Nevada desert?





The turret is located approximately 87 miles NNW of Las Vegas at coordinates 37° 8'22.02"N 116° 6'32.54"W.







I would ask the forum to guess, but a quick Google search will reveal the answer...

To find out, please watch this 9-minute segment from a local Las Vegas news station:
WWII Naval Artifact Rusting in Nevada Desert





But there is a second part of the mystery... pay close attention to the left wing (from our perspective, right side) in the video below:

Next, watch this video (CONTAINS SPOILERS):
YouTube Video


FYI, if you'd like to read the full background research, download this PDF:
Download Full Report


IIRC, this second part of the mystery isn't addressed in either the news reporting or the report above.



So can anyone tell me - what is happening with the left wing in the video?




Edit: download link for Google Earth POI for those interested: Desert Turret.kmz

[geofflambert]

All wrong. That is a disruptor cannon for use if the planet Mongo gets too close.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

All wrong. That is a disruptor cannon for use if the planet Mongo gets too close.

Mongo got upgraded to planet status? Pluto is so jealous!

[MuguNiner]

Are you sure that is a wing? Looks like the plane gets engulfed in the explosion. Could it be the plane's cockpit? Would the bomb have been underneath the cockpit? I watched the video and it reminded me of Challenger. The explosion and the cockpit flies up and away from the impact. Not sure if that is what you are referring to. But, that's my best guess.

[Korvar]

I think you're focused on another object which has been identified. Here is a comparison of the objects to help distinguish them. I promise they're not the same object.


Mystery Object vs. Known Object (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

[MuguNiner]

The AAA is focused on the airplane from two different angles. One AAA gun is shooting from the left of the camera, and one from the right. From the perspective of the camera, aboard a ship that is shooting at the approaching kami, the AAA takes off part of the wing, which is what is circled in the first photo. At that point, the aircraft is too darn close to the ship to make a difference. It hits the ship. The cockpit / engine arc out from a different angle and from a different location of the explosion. IMHO. Interesting story and photos. Thanks.

[Korvar]

Good theory, but I'll give the hint that the 'mystery object' is NOT any part of the wing. You can make that AP video fullscreen - it helps to see the details. I found using the spacebar to pause/play the video quickly and the left arrow key to rewind also helps to analyze it more quickly.

If you get tired of guessing, I'll reveal the answer to you via PM so I'm not dragging you along. In the meantime, I'll give anyone else a chance to venture a guess here.

[MuguNiner]

I'll let another try... [:)]

[MakeeLearn]

OP

[Yaab]

It is a hidden location in Fallout 67.

[geofflambert]

Did the pilot eject just before the plane hit?

[geofflambert]

Was it a drop tank?

[Korvar]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

Did the pilot eject just before the plane hit?

You are correct! The pilot ran the length of the left wing and jumped off the end just before his Zero struck the Louisville.

Some of the Louisville's crew members inside turret #1 felt the impact, knew what had happened (Kamikaze or bomb strike), and rushed outside to begin damage control efforts and render aid. They were shocked by one of the first things they saw. Upon exiting the turret was a dead body, except it wasn't one of their crew members. It was Japanese and only wearing a loincloth. They didn't have time to puzzle about it, so they continued their duties. The body was later buried at sea along with the Lousiville crew members who had perished in the attack.

What the pilot did just before his plane struck was lost to history until crew members from the Louisville were interviewed many years later as part of the 'desert turret' research. The mention of a mostly intact body on the opposite side from the attack raised questions, which then led to a close analysis of the video evidence and the terrifying realization of what had happened.

[durnedwolf]

So first he hit the ship with his Zero and at the same time he ran off the wing and head-butted the Louisville? Wow - that pilot was totally bad-a$$ed!

[geofflambert]

ORIGINAL: durnedwolf

So first he hit the ship with his Zero and at the same time he ran off the wing and head-butted the Louisville? Wow - that pilot was totally bad-a$$ed!

[:D]

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

ORIGINAL: durnedwolf

So first he hit the ship with his Zero and at the same time he ran off the wing and head-butted the Louisville? Wow - that pilot was totally bad-a$$ed!

[:D]

Meh. Chuck Norris could've done it better.

[geofflambert]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

ORIGINAL: durnedwolf

So first he hit the ship with his Zero and at the same time he ran off the wing and head-butted the Louisville? Wow - that pilot was totally bad-a$$ed!

[:D]

Meh. Chuck Norris could've done it better.

I'd rather not see Chuck Norris in a loincloth, if that's ok with you.

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

ORIGINAL: Zorch

ORIGINAL: geofflambert


[:D]

Meh. Chuck Norris could've done it better.

I'd rather not see Chuck Norris in a loincloth, if that's ok with you.

You have a point there.

[durnedwolf]

Well how about action shorts?

[Moltrey]

Aaahhhh, my eyes!!

Back to the turret... that area was a prime location for nuclear weapon testing, so ML has the right idea.
Probably should pack the Geiger counter if you are contemplating a turret vacation.