2-2-V-1 - the Lazarus Artifact

[Ric Gillespie]

In the 34 years since we found 2-2-V-1 we've amassed an incredible amount of information about the artifact with the help of an array of experts. During that time the verdict as to whether it is, or is not, wreckage from Earhart's Electra has swung like pendulum. It is, it isn't, it must be, it can't be ....  In late 2023, when I was finalizing the original manuscript for One More Good Flight - The Amelia Earhart Tragedy, Jeff Glickman was able to identify a spot on the upper wing surface of a C-47 wing at the New England Air Museum that was a close-enough match to the rivet pattern on 2-2-V-1 to convince him the artifact came from a C-47. I accepted his conclusion and included it in the manuscript.

(page 309-31-)
"Exactly how a torn section of skin from that particular part of a C-47 wing got to Nikumaroro and ended up looking the way it did will never be known but, after thirty-one years of research, I reluctantly concluded we had at last discovered its true identity. That a piece of wreckage from the one place on the one aircraft that is nearly identical to the patch on Earhart's aircraft should end up on the island where she landed is a coincidence of mind-boggling proportions, but it happened."

Maybe not. 2-2-V-1 may once again rise from the dead. A thorough review of what we know about the artifact, beyond simply the rivet pattern, presents us with metallurgical facts and expert opinions that seem to disqualify a C-47, leaving us once again with the Electra as the best source of the artifact.

In the coming weeks, I'll be working on a research paper (with citations) detailing that argument.  Stay tuned.

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

In the coming weeks, I'll be working on a research paper (with citations) detailing that argument.  Stay tuned.

Looking forward to the analysis. 

It's one of my favorite artifacts!

[Jeff Lange]

Having had the opportunity to thoroughly examine and actually handle 2-2-V-1 I'm continually amazed at what new data this odd piece of metal keeps bringing to light. Whether or not we are ever able to conclusively prove, or disprove, that it is a remnant of Amelia's aircraft, just to have been a very miniscule part of its' journey of discovery leaves me in awe. I will never get to Nikumaroro, but seeing this small part of the mystery in person gave me quite a thrill!

[Kenton E. Spading]

Is Jeff Glickman a co-author of the pending research paper?
Kenton Spading

[Christian Stock]

Why can't it be both? Maybe the patch was created from DC-3/C-47 scrap.

I've mentioned this before - In addition to a good supply of bandages and neosporin, the airframe shop at any sizeable airport would have had crates of scrap from the most common airframes they serviced. They kept this stuff to create - you guessed it - patches. What aircraft would have been most common in Miami? Especially in those days, I'm sure there were groundloops galore and plenty of opportunity to replace wing sections damaged by collapsed landing gear.