Mystery Matador Crash…?

April 6, 2011

Was it an early design “YB-61 Matador,” “Navy Matador” or a “Regulus” variant?  No conclusive identification has been made. See the bottom of this page for the most recent updates.

Thanks,
Russ


January 18, 2011

Can you help?

A suspected Matador crash site was recently discovered on Elgin AFB, Florida. Investigation is in progress to determine if the remnants are those of a Matador (or Mace). If you have any information that may help solve the mystery, please contact George Mindling or Russ Reston.

Thanks!
Russ

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Matador
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011
From: Gary Quigg
To: George Mindling
Subject: Fwd: Matador

Hello,

I was hoping to contact Paul Dion, whom according to your website was at Eglin AFB during the 1960s. Or, I would like to contact anyone who may know of Matador/Mace launches to or from Eglin AFB.

I am an archaeologist who was asked to come down and conduct a survey of a crash site recently discovered about 8 miles north of Auxiliary Field 4 on Eglin AFB. After reviewing the remnants of the crash site over the last few days, I believe the remaining damaged parts on site are from a Matador. I say this because the horizontal stabilizer on site has small elevators, and it fits the size and swept back angle of the Matador’s horizontal stabilizer. At first I thought it was a Mace, but realized Mace missiles (and apparently later Matadors) did not have elevators.

I would like to confirm this wreckage as a Matador and find out where it came from…launched from Eglin or launched to Eglin from Cape Canaveral or Orlando.

Any help you could provide in terms of contacts or other sources would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Gary Quigg


January 19, 2011...
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