Variables causing Amelias lack of Communication

[Randy Conrad]

https://youtu.be/PkLtzp9Ca68?si=04p0-TEU1RnwXO46

It's been quite some time since Ive seen any posts or new topics from my fellar Tighars. So, I thought I would throw this video out at you all. When the Post Loss theory came out years ago I myself was hesitant about its existence until our heavy debated subject came out at the conference in Washington D.C. years ago. This was awesome video..and to be honest you can hear reliable source information in its context. The two variables that I found noted in the video were solar flares and salt water. I'll be honest, like so many no one ever thought about solar flares back in 1913...and makes sense  and how reliable transmissions can be interrupted by solar flares. So would explain why Amelia and Fred were able to communicate only on certain times of the day and night. Since the conference I'm pretty convinced that Tighars knowledge of 56 transmissions over Nikumarro are true and Ballards comments..."She's gotta be here!!!" ring out loud and clear. The one thing I find interesting is beings I work for a battery manufacturing employer is how salt water or a salt component can literally break down a battery or engine parts in a matter of days. So my question is...and please help me out on this..but how does flying in a very salty water area have an affect on wiring on batteries or radio components or radio in general? Is there a higher chance of absorption to salt water in the air than if it was on land. I guess why Im asking this..if this be the case..Amelia most likely knew nothing that this would happen to her and the Electra! I dont know if they used no-oxide grease back then or if it was even invented. The one thing I know if you have a breakdown in electrical components it can be severe. Anyway, would like someone's input on how pilots took care of their batteries and radios with the knowledge that corrosion would exist! Have an awesome Mrmorial Day Weekend and thank you veterans from the past and present for serving and protecting our country!

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

I can't answer any of your questions, but they make sense.

My utterly amateur opinion is that a plane hangered near a sea shore might need some preventative maintenance, but her aircraft was essentially just visiting airports for a short period of time. I do not think that there would be a great deal of salt spray at her cruising altitude.

[Matt Revington]

I would think Fred Noonan with his time on the China Clipper prior to the last flight would have some relevant experience with the effect of ocean conditions on airplane radio gear

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

I would think Fred Noonan with his time on the China Clipper prior to the last flight would have some relevant experience with the effect of ocean conditions on airplane radio gear

Yes, but with flying boats designed to spend much of their life on or near saltwater.

I speculate that the there would be a substantial difference between the Pan Am Clippers and the Electra in terms of exposure to salty moisture. 

https://www.clipperflyingboats.com/pan-am/martin-m130

[Jeff Lange]

Well we know that the corrosive effects to exposure to just the environment near an ocean shore can be very bad, let alone exposure to the water itself. There are MANY instances of new cars stored on parking lots adjacent to bodies of salt water that develop severe rust on the side facing the ocean in weeks, so I hate to think of what having an aircraft, let alone it's wiring immersed or splashed with salt water and not having a supply of fresh water to rinse it off with. So there had to be a detrimental effect from the moment the trip started and especially once they landed.

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Well we know that the corrosive effects to exposure to just the environment near an ocean shore can be very bad, let alone exposure to the water itself.

Agreed.

There are MANY instances of new cars stored on parking lots adjacent to bodies of salt water that develop severe rust on the side facing the ocean in weeks,

Understood.

... so I hate to think of what having an aircraft, let alone it's wiring immersed or splashed with salt water and not having a supply of fresh water to rinse it off with. So there had to be a detrimental effect from the moment the trip started and especially once they landed.

They landed at airports that took care of airplanes that landed at airports.

I don't think we have any evidence of the Electra's wiring being immersed or splashed with salt water up until it may have happened if and when it had landed on a reef.

Water vapor is essentially salt-free. That is what they would have encountered while flying over the ocean. The fact that rain is fresh, salt-free water is what has saved many people stranded at sea who found a way to collect rain water. I understand that salt can be blown inland from the shore at low altitude and that long-term exposure to such salt spray can cause problems.

This is just my opinion. I won't kill or die for it. YMMV.

[Bill Mangus]

Remember also, they flew through rain clouds every so often (frequent?). Rained so hard on one leg, in South America I think, that water leaked in around the windscreen.  This would have given the outside of the aircraft a nice bath.  Even today carrier pilots keep an eye out for a chance to wash their jets.

[Randy Conrad]

I really appreciate the feedback guys! I guess working in a battery manufacturing plant gives you some insight on what possibly Amelia and Fred may have had to endure with. If this be the case...do we know if they carried extra batteries on board. Also, batteries back then used alot of acid. Acid bubbles out with intense heat. So the life and longevity of the batteries...diminishes with time. Therefore, many variables occur as not being able to run the motor or being able to use the radio due to exposure or dousing of salt water. Looking at this from a distance..they didn't have much time to deal with...and from what I've seen on YouTube videos from past expeditions Niku might be a beautiful Atoll but she is definately hard on life and man-made and natural objects in general. She's a tough island!!! Another question I have is let's just say they landed and needed another radio...Did the crew of the Norwich City that we know of leave important pieces of communicative equipment behind while trying to flee the island or was the entire ship consumed by fire when she ran around. It would be neat to reconstruct a timeline on how long certain pieces of equipment lasted. and how they endured the increments of Niku! Thanks again for the feedback!!!

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

I really appreciate the feedback guys! I guess working in a battery manufacturing plant gives you some insight on what possibly Amelia and Fred may have had to endure with. If this be the case...do we know if they carried extra batteries on board.

We know what was taken off the aircraft when it crashed at Luke Field.

Luke Field Inventory

You can read the four sheets dealing the items found inside the airplane.

Lots and lots of extra batteries. None of them lead-acid batteries designed to start the motors.

Also, batteries back then used alot of acid. Acid bubbles out with intense heat. So the life and longevity of the batteries...diminishes with time. Therefore, many variables occur as not being able to run the motor or being able to use the radio due to exposure or dousing of salt water.

The evidence of transmissions heard from Niku, the times of which match when the tide was low on the reef, suggest that the battery was in working condition and capable of being recharged for six or seven days after the airplane landed.

Post-Loss Radio Messages -- Overview

Brandenburg & Gillespie, Catalog and Analysis of Radio Signals During The Search for Amelia Earhart in July 1937

let's just say they landed and needed another radio...Did the crew of the Norwich City that we know of leave important pieces of communicative equipment behind while trying to flee the island or was the entire ship consumed by fire when she ran around. It would be neat to reconstruct a timeline on how long certain pieces of equipment lasted. and how they endured the increments of Niku! Thanks again for the feedback!!!

The radio equipment they had on board seems to have survived the landing.

The battery they had on board seems to have functioned after the landing.

The Norwich City grounded on the reef eight years before the fatal flight.

Norwich City Stranding on the Reef at Gardner Island

It is impossible to say whether AE and FN could have boarded the wreck or found anything worthwhile on it.