Warbird Information Exchange

Hi everyone,
I agree that the aircraft in PNG were abandoned by the USA and the PNG government should control their recovery for export or local care as war monuments. Unfortunately, like people have said above the "fix" is in; the local politicians/crooks got upset because they did not get a cut of what they wrongly assume is a gold mine (it is but not in monetary value like say real gold). I'm not bashing the PNG folks either, a lot of politicians worldwide are crooks to some degree (just look at the bridge to nowhere in Alaska -- can you say kickback Mr. Senator?). The guys in PNG are just not as smooth as our snake oil salesmen. As a prime example, the PNG military (at the direction of a top government official) recently flew a lawyer facing child sex charges out of the country to escape prosecution / extradition by the AUS government (wonder what the bribe was on that one?). Not exactly stellar statesmanship or use of common sense either (like the Aussie's would not notice that Chester the molester flew off on a PNG Air Force transport).
Hopefully the B-17 will be moved to a good home somewhere before she suffers further damage and the PNG people elect someone who actually cares about the citizens instead of just lining their own pockets.

Truth stranger than fiction the Solomon's PM wants the guy to be his AG!

http://www.smh.com.au/news/WORLD/Moti-i ... 03619.html

No not at all. In my original post I said that common sense should be used. I said that if a plane was going to recovered form a crash site and go to a good home for display or restoration that the government should not be involved, but if it is a case such as this where the have NO interest in then it's monetary value, then they should step in and assist the team that is already in place with the transport of this bomber. You know guys, why is this so friggin' hard? Is this plane being cared for? No Is it going to be around in a few years if something isn't done? No All I am saying is the the PNG wants to play hardball, then so should the U.S. in this case. I am simply hoping to see a rare version of the B-17 saved form stupidity, and government corruptness. You guys are diving me nuts. Do you guys work for the PNG? Let me ask you guys this, answer only in a one word answer. Are you for getting this aircraft out of there. Maybe I am just pissed off or something but while we are on the topic, wy doesn't somone go to China tell them nuts about their P-61 and take it. They STOLE the friggin' thing, and admitt it, now they want like $1,000,000 for it.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Simm'a Dow Nah,....Simm'a Dow Nah

I'm all for getting SG out. I was merely pointing out, what I considered as a inconsistancy in your statement. I would love nothing more than to see more aircraft come out of PNG. Especially a certian rare B-25G.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

We are both in agreement that it would be great for Swamp Ghost to come home. No question about that. I would love to see her under cover and restored/preserved. You shouldn't get frustrated with our attitudes over this issue MustangDriver. You make too many assumptions, without knowing all of the facts.

How do you know that the people of PNG don't care about their WWII heritage, or having people come into their country and just take things of value because they want them. How do you know that the PNG government only wants their cut? It's quite likely to be true to a point, but I would counter that they are also probably tired of being taken advantage of. They probably are corrupt, but no more so than our own government.

Harking back to a previous response; how do you know that Walt Soplata paid for all of his aircraft? The F2G wasn't at the very least, and I would be very surprised if others weren't. In some cases (like the F2G, and FG-1A) the aircraft were abandoned and going to be scrapped. Walt saved them, when no one else would. Even if he had paid for them, it wouldn't alter that your argument was flawed.

You leap to too many conclusions without bothering to find out the facts. Wishful thinking won't get you the results you wish for. No one likes being bullied into doing something. It usually just p*sses them off, and they dig their heals in even harder. The way to settle a situation like the one with Swamp Ghost is to be tactful, and firm, but polite.

If the Air Force Museum was to throw their weight around, it would not get them very far. In fact, it would put the politicians in PNG in a position where they would most likely forbid any aircraft ever to be exported to the US. Why? Because the populous would just get angry about being pushed around by a bully. There's no way PNG politicians could soften their stand then, they'd be seen as too weak. Could you honestly say that you would respond any differently?

I am not trying to annoy you... I just don't understand why you think that your method of getting Swamp Ghost home a) would work, b) wouldn't harm future efforts to recover other aircraft and c) is worthy of our people as a nation.

Richard

First you guys don't annoy me. THat is not what I meant. I just get frusrated when I think that an injustice is being committed. I didn't know about the B-25G over there. I guss I was just in a bad mood. You guys here are all great, it is just a matter of me feeling that eh PNG is corrupt and trying to fight the recovery for al it is worth.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I couldn't agree with you more MustangDriver. I am as frustrated as you must be concerning the problems associated with Swamp Ghost. I hope she comes home soon, before any more damage is inflicted upon her. I hope that more aircraft may follow.

All the best,
Richard