"Swamp Ghost" news (September 2008)

[Shay]

Great news!! I hope they post pictures of her movement.

it is about time she comes home. Only thing better will be if she is going to be restored to fly.

One can only hope.



Just imagine, Swamp Ghost, Glacier Girl and The Fighter Collection's P-40B flying in formation,...awesome.



I wonder if the new owner will continue to embrace the "Swamp Ghost" moniker or do something different.


Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[warbird1]

Great news!

From the article:

"The war plane had to be shipped back to the US as PNG lacked the technology, manpower and money to rebuild it to its original condition for display purposes here, he added."

Ah, the government finally admits what we knew all along.


"Before the aircraft was salvaged from the Agiambo swamp, it had no tourism value as it was submerged under 6m of water. "

Six meters under water, really? That's about 18 feet submerged under water. I'm no expert on Swamp Ghost, but I thought that only the belly was slightly submerged. That's a heck of a recovery, if they had to go under water!


Some questions/comments:

Does anyone know if this airplane is still going to be part of Dave Tallichet's estate or did it get "sold" or the rights to it get "sold" prior to this quagmire?

With this debacle seemingly wrapping up in a positive manner, the PNG should just adopt a new solution like the Solomon Islands did earlier this year. Since PNG obviously doesn't have the money, or resources to build a National Museum to restore and display aircraft, they should just sell major portions of their aircraft and W.W.II wrecks, and use the money generated from that to start the Museum. It would be a win-win solution for everybody involved. If they don't, what good will aluminum oxide dust do for PNGs' citizens hundreds of years from now?

http://www.thenational.com.pg:80/091108/letter1.php

Return Swamp Ghost to Agiambo

Simon Poraituk of the National Museum’s explanation justifying the removal of the Swamp Ghost from PNG to the USA is an absolute shame.
How can you just pick up something that had been on our land for 60 years and flog it off for a lousy K300,000?

Sixty years is over half a century, therefore, the aeroplane rightfully belongs to the people of Agiambo.I am not a legal expert but my Miaru River tank tells me that if you apply the law of shipwrights to a lost ship found by someone, the finder is rightfully the owner.Since the plane was an “airship” lost during wartime, it rightfully belongs to the people who own the land on which it crash landed.

What is a “modern history display, recreation playground, barbeque area and a lousy K300,000” compared to the millions Aero Archaeology will gain from displaying the Swamp Ghost in its US museum?Therefore, I call on all like minded Papua New Guineans to stand together and challenge this decision by the NEC and relayed by Mr Poraituk in court.
War relics and war tourism is big business in the United States.
The members of the Swamp Ghost all survived the crash landing (some of them have since passed on) and their generation live on in the US.
The plane has a rich history. It has a unique place in its squadron.
So, such a restored Flying Fortress bomber is a classical drawcard for millions of visitors.

Finally, Mr Poraituk, the US is already full of WWII memorabilia.
If you walk down Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, you will find a WWII submarine that used to patrol around the Bismarck Sea.
It’s name is US Pampanito (SS-383). Over 100,000 people visit the old boat every year. Now, how would your friends from Aero Archaeology feel if I were to walk into Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office in downtown LA, thump down a few “mikes” on the table, hitch hike down to Fisherman’s Pier in SF, jump in the old bucket, and sail it full speed back to Port Moresby for display at Ela Beach? Those people would sink me before I even cranked up the 40-horse on the back!Oh, and if you are wondering about where SF & LA are, don’t think too hard, em yu yet kam na lukim!

Big Pat
Miaru River
Gulf of Papua

[Richard Woods]

This is just hilarious...

I've added my thoughts. I know the guy will never see it, but I couldn't help it.

http://www.thenational.com.pg:80/091108/letter1.php

Return Swamp Ghost to Agiambo

Simon Poraituk of the National Museum’s explanation justifying the removal of the Swamp Ghost from PNG to the USA is an absolute shame.
How can you just pick up something that had been on our land for 60 years and flog it off for a lousy K300,000?

Because it wasn't yours anyway?

Sixty years is over half a century, therefore, the aeroplane rightfully belongs to the people of Agiambo.

No, if ownership was relinquished it would belong to New Guinea, and their Government, not the locals.

I am not a legal expert

Believe me, I would never have guessed....

but my Miaru River tank tells me that if you apply the law of shipwrights to a lost ship found by someone, the finder is rightfully the owner.Since the plane was an “airship” lost during wartime, it rightfully belongs to the people who own the land on which it crash landed.

Okay... first of all its not a ship. Of any kind. Secondly if you want to play that game, you can only claim a shipwreck if you board it when it is abandoned and bring it into port. So what you are saying is if Swamp Ghost is empty, and I go sit in it, while it is being recovered, I can claim it as mine under the laws of marine salvage, right?

What is a “modern history display, recreation playground, barbeque area and a lousy K300,000” compared to the millions Aero Archaeology will gain from displaying the Swamp Ghost in its US museum?

More than either side have got for the moment.

Therefore, I call on all like minded Papua New Guineans to stand together and challenge this decision by the NEC and relayed by Mr Poraituk in court.
War relics and war tourism is big business in the United States.
The members of the Swamp Ghost all survived the crash landing (some of them have since passed on) and their generation live on in the US.
The plane has a rich history. It has a unique place in its squadron.
So, such a restored Flying Fortress bomber is a classical drawcard for millions of visitors.

Finally, Mr Poraituk, the US is already full of WWII memorabilia.
If you walk down Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, you will find a WWII submarine that used to patrol around the Bismarck Sea.
It’s name is US Pampanito (SS-383). Over 100,000 people visit the old boat every year. Now, how would your friends from Aero Archaeology feel if I were to walk into Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office in downtown LA, thump down a few “mikes” on the table, hitch hike down to Fisherman’s Pier in SF, jump in the old bucket, and sail it full speed back to Port Moresby for display at Ela Beach?

If it was a wreck that less than 10,000 people had seen since it crashed, and you were going to display it and preserve it, then most people would be happy. Of course some people would be annoyed by the paltry sum you offered for it, and the loss of the heritage that they couldn't be bothered to look after for the past 60 years. Why didn't you get your tushy down to the swamp and get the B17 yourself rather than worrying about a preserved submarine thousands of miles away?

Those people would sink me before I even cranked up the 40-horse on the back!Oh, and if you are wondering about where SF & LA are, don’t think too hard, em yu yet kam na lukim!

Big Pat
Miaru River
Gulf of Papua

With attitudes like that, the more people get aircarft out of places like New Guinea the better. It fills me with rage over the way peple can treat things then complain and moan when someone else steps in and takes an active approach.

I would lay a bet that the ONLY reason this chapo is sore enough to write a letter is because he hasn't seen any money out of it and feels left out.

Ric[/b]

[ZeamerB17]

It is about frigging time!

And to "Big Pat" I say

[DaveM2]

What is a “modern history display, recreation playground, barbeque area and a lousy K300,000” compared to the millions Aero Archaeology will gain from displaying the Swamp Ghost in its US museum?

This guy obviously has never worked in or tried to run an aviation museum. Name me one that runs at a profit? Millions to recover, compensate PNG and restore it -whether that be to static or fly - upkeep of museum buildings, staff wages, operating overheads (times 100 if it flies).
I doubt the new custodians will ever break even!

Dave

[shelldrake]

You guys are so slow.........


Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: Swamp Ghost

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If my information is correct it will soon (within 6 months) be released to a PNG approved buyer for long term restoration and display.

big call I know but lets hope I am right.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

told ya


Shelldrake

[PinecastleAAF]

I think 'Big Pat' is just trying to cover up his excitement over the new BBQ.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Great News! I still won't celebrate until it is on dry land IN the UNITED STATES!
Since it was in the water in the swamp, look out for two things... Tne Navy will lay claim to it or the NMUSAF will want it back!
Jerry

[Kaigun Fan]

Yahoo! I am happy to see this aircraft gets a good home on dry land.
Hopefully, she gets a sympathetic static rebuild to preserve as much of the original aircraft as possible.

I am saddened to think of the potential loss of some really rare IJN warbirds if they are not recovered in the next few years. The "Irving" Gekko fighters and Betty bombers come immediately to mind.

I cringe when looking at friend's photo of a "Jake" wing as a bridge for natives. It was complete with the original hinomaru (meatball). Very sad indeed.

Regards,

Ron W.

[Jesse C.]

Very cool news, but I really do want to get excited until it is truly home on U.S. Soil!

Well, one out of two ain't bad!

[daveymac82c]

That is really great news!

I look forward to hearing about its restoration.

Cheers,

David

[B-17 Buff]

Hmm, alot of contraversy over this and probably some foul play but now she has been removed she is best off back in the US no doubt about that. At last some positive news w.r.t movement, lets hope we see her off the dock very soon.

[Hawkeye]

This is really excellent news. I was having nightmares of the Ghost languishing on the dock for years to come, slowing disapearing due to souvenir hunters and vandals. At least now she'll come home to be cared for properly.

[gary1954]

So...who is actually going to underwrite this project, and who is going to undertake the Restoration, and where will it be a happenin'???