Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  H6K Mavis (M6)   
IJN
25th Air Flotilla
Yokusuka Kōkūtai
or Yokohama Kōkūtai

Click For Enlargement
Click For Enlargement
Kevin Denlay 2002

Aircraft History
Built by Kawanishi Kokuki K. K. at Naruo. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as Type 97 Large Flying Boat / H6K Mavis manufacture number unknown. This flying boat was either model H6K-4 or H6K5.

Wartime History
Assigned to either Yokosuka Kōkūtai or Yokohama Kōkūtai (more likely) and based at Tulagi Seaplane Base (Gavutu / Tanambogo).

Sinking History
On August 7, 1942 this flying boat was attached to mooring "M6" to the west of Palm Island (Gaomi) and northeast of Tanambogo Island. That morning, it was hit by U.S. Navy (USN) carrier aircraft and was set on fire and sank still attached to its mooring.

Wreckage
During 1999, the wreckage was first found by ArchaeHistoria SCUBA divers including Ewan Stevenson and Kevin Denlay. This Mavis jack-knifed in half when it sank, with the tail now pointing in almost the same direction as the bow (which is still attached by cable to its mooring), with both wings folded over so they rest upside down on the opposite sides of the fuselage to their correct location. Otherwise a very ‘complete’ wreck. Sometimes referred to as the "Phallic Mavis"‚ because if how its bow stands erect off the seabed.

Kevin Denlay adds:
"M6 was still actually attached to it's nearby mooring block by a wire cable when we first located the wreck in 1999."

References
Thanks to Ewan Stevenson and Kevin Denlay for additional information
J-Aircraft Message Board "Mavis's off Tanambogo / Gavutu"

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
May 27, 2023

 

Tech Info
Mavis

SCUBA
24-32m

Map
Map
July 1942

Photos
Photo Archive
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram