A well‑preserved Grumman F6F‑3 Hellcat (Bureau Number 25839), known as “Betsy II,” lies on a shallow reef near Quomu Island, close to Munda in the Solomon Islands. The aircraft was ditched on 16 September 1943 after sustaining damage during operations in the New Georgia area; pilot Lt Richard W. Moore survived and was rescued. The plane settled on a coral patch in about 10–11 metres of water and was rediscovered by divers in the 1980s, since becoming one of the most photographed wartime aircraft wrecks in the Solomons.

The airframe is largely intact: the cockpit canopy is open, fabric control surfaces have deteriorated, and the starboard wing is partly embedded in coral. There are bullet holes and other combat damage consistent with wartime accounts, while engine parts and some fittings are missing, likely removed over time. Its shallow depth makes the site accessible to snorkellers and recreational divers.

For more info check out Michael McFadyen’s Scuba Diving Website.