"Swamp Ghost" news (September 2008)

[Django]

The Black Cat Pass should definitely be saved too!

But is there anything a bit more rare that should be rescued first?

[RyanShort1]

A TBD???

Ryan

[tulsaboy]

Django,

Based on what's on PacificWrecks and other websites, it appears that there is still quite a decent quantity of Japanese wrecks tucked away in PNG that represent rare/extinct types. There are also combat vet airframes of US types that exist in non-vet form, but are pretty rare in vet form. Personally, I'd love to see all of the combat vet aircraft recovered and carefully preserved/restored as necessary, and then see those airframes traded to the appropriate static museums to liberate some non-vet airframes that could be restored to flight. Imagine trading Swamp Ghost to the NMUSAF to liberate the F model in Nebraska, for example. That way we'd get the best of both worlds- combat vets preserved, and currently static examples of different types back in the air!

kevin

[B-17 Buff]

I read today on the Aerovintage site that the B-17 wreck in Black Cat Pass was destroyed by a fire recently. Is that accurate?

.

I wasnt aware of this?? How and when?? This wasnt locals rebelling against foreigners coming and taking the war wrecks was it?? or anything to do with swamp ghosts bad press??? This airframe was largely in one piece, if true this is very upsetting and a great shame...

There was a picture in Issue 65 of Classic Wings from the air, Fire had gone through where it lays, but it was hard to tell what damage was done to the airframe, just a lot of scorched ground around it. Maybe still worth getting out, but leaving it where it is a death sentence in progress

Dave

p.s. What the heck ....here is a scan

Thanks Dave, appreciate the post and even more the picture! Although still upset this has happened, im slightly relieved to see, as other forumites have commented, she doesnt look too much worse off! Thank god. Seems she's had a lucky escape and indeed re-iterates the point about have these airframes recovered asap. Timing is good with swamp ghost finally moving and i believe someone in the know should point this 'near miss' out and lobby to have her removed asap while she is still there. I think shes holding on to be saved, after all, shes been there for 66 odd years! That fire is a warning from above, can we bear to watch it happen again with worse consequences and then say "if only we..."???

Get her off that mountain. Now.

Anyone got a helicopter??!

[David J Burke]

How about saving the B-17 on top of the gas station first!

[tulsaboy]

David-

I'd say let's go get the Black Cat Pass one first, because, amusingly, the PNG folks now have a better record of letting go of B-17s than the Lacey family does.

I all seriousness, I do understand why the Lacey's don't want to give up control of their B-17. I wouldn't want to either, if I was in their position. But it is a shame that an arrangement can't be worked out to let them have some interest remaining in the ownership/control/sponsorship of the bird, while letting a group with the resources restore it as it should be.

Personally, I'd like to go round up what's left of the several B-24s that are scattered throughout PNG to cobble together at least one or two complete birds.

kevin

[Robbie Roberts]

I just hope they got some agreement from PNG that should they ever decide to sell, swap, raffle or trade beads for the Swamp Ghost that they have full ownership rights to do so!

Robbie

[Mick Grinter]

There has been a lot of recoveries from PNG are any of them actualy flying or are they still just wrecks.
And the natives burn the grass regulary and now carry SLR's.
Me not go there.

[Matt Gunsch]

There has been a lot of recoveries from PNG are any of them actualy flying or are they still just wrecks.
And the natives burn the grass regulary and now carry SLR's.
Me not go there.

SLRs ? Single Lens Reflex cameras ? are you afraid they are going to take your picture and steal your soul ?

We have to stop them before the natives move up to digital cameras

[Mick Grinter]

Hilarious a guy in a grass skirt with a bone in his nose.Amobile phone for his lawyer.

[Django]

Personally, I'd like to go round up what's left of the several B-24s that are scattered throughout PNG to cobble together at least one or two complete birds.

kevin

Any details on those?

[Hal B]

There has been a lot of recoveries from PNG are any of them actualy flying or are they still just wrecks.
And the natives burn the grass regulary and now carry SLR's.
Me not go there.

SLR: probably equals L1A1 or in the case of PNG maybe L1A1 F1

[b17engineer]

Unless I missed something, Swamp Ghost was always planned to go to the Travis AFB museum. Am I wrong?

RICK

[tulsaboy]

Django,

I'd have to go back and look at my notes. These may still be up on Pacific Wrecks, but I haven't looked in a while. The photos are borrowed from that site...

Dobodura:


Horanda:


Pompondetta:











Those are just the ones that I have handy. There's more out there... including some parts and pieces left by the Australian restoration guys. They've gone on a scavenger hunt, from what I understand, to find the parts they need to complete theirs.

kevin

[groundpounder]

holy crap!!!! thats a lot of B-24 stuff lying around!!i bet theres a few folks that would like to get their hands on some of that!!!! including me!!