Recovery of aviation artifacts from dump site in Hawaii

[ALOHADAVE]

Archaeological Survey and Recovery of Material from the Ulupa’u Crater Parcel Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Oahu Hawaii
was recently completed. Many WWII aviation artifacts were recovered. The majority of the aircraft materials were found to be from Navy Martin Mariner PBM Seaplanes, Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, and Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft. According to the Guidelines for the Field Collection of Archaeological Materials, “if an archaeological resource is in imminent danger from being lost due to damage from military training, the archaeological resource should be collected.”
I saved what I could, and for the big stuff that I could not save, I removed any data plates that I could find. I did not keep anything. All the artifacts are destined for a planned museum at MCBH Kaneohe.
The Pacific Air Museum was consulted in the process.

For the full story with pictures see link
http://pacaeropress.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=5462256

[Dan K]

Neat info, Dave.

But this...

Only artifacts that were lying on the surface or were protruding through the ground were recovered. Many more artifacts are believed to be buried below the surface

...makes me wonder why underground surveillance of the area wasn't initiated to determine if the "mythical" Pearl Harbor material is there or not. Are future endeavors being planned?

[ALOHADAVE]

Yes, future expeditions are planned when storage space and funding becomes available.

[ACarey]

Yes, future expeditions are planned when storage space and funding becomes available.

Pretty cool stuff you found. Hmm, don't tell that unnamed non-profit organization that has been searching for Amelia Earhart's Electra. They might dig up the whole island.

[bcmj]

That is very interesting, and I agree it would be great to see what is buried under the ground. Many of the parts pictured were in good condition considering they been out in the elements for so many years. Has this area been off limits since the war?
Barry

[ALOHADAVE]

The area has been used as a weapons range since it became a Marine Corps Base. The area had to be cleared of UXO before anything was recovered. Most of the stuff was just engine mounts, but there was plenty of interesting stuff mixed in.

[agent86]

Ya gotta remember WWII was 70 yrs ago.if the stuff is still good.its amazing