I have found this picture on MSN, with the claim that it is a P-38 somewhere at the French Riviera. However the P-38 Lightning is a twin-engined fighter, while this wreck has most probably four. What is it?
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1 Answer
It is, in fact, a twin-engined American P38 Lightning:
That particular aircraft was shot down on 27 January 27 1944. The wreck is located in Lecques Bay at a depth of about 40 meters, about one kilometre west of Grenier Point.
The wreck was discovered in November 1996, and identified as G15-LO (serial number 43-2545) flown by 2nd Lt. Harry Greenup of 49th Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, 15th USAAF.
You can read more about it on the page Epave de l’avion P 38 Lightning aux Lecques.
The engines appear to be 'out of place' on the sea bed because the aircraft broke up on impact.
It is a popular dive site, and there are a number of videos like this example of divers exploring the wreck on YouTube.
As an interesting aside, this map of dive sites in the vicinity shows that the wrecks of two P38 Lightnings are located in the bay:
answered Nov 19, 2018 at 12:16
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4Ow. Thank you. The engines seemed to lie so neatly in one line... And I even believed to see the shape of third rotor on the other side.– b.LorenzCommented Nov 19, 2018 at 12:19