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Was just reading a book about collecting motorcycles.. and..

Thu Nov 26, 2009 1:30 pm

I get to page 50 in "The Vincent In The Barn" when the author mentions a 2 hour helicopter ride from Petropavlosk to Seviro Kulisk which is on the 3rd most northern island out on the Komchatka Penisula area.
He talks about visiting some old Japanese airbases where he found "a number of dismantled Kibg Cobras, Zeros & Betty Bombers.."

I'm wondering how many "a number" is.. ;)

The journey was some time since '92.

Re: Was just reading a book about collecting motorcycles.. and..

Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:17 am

Goggle Earth:
Severo-Kuril'sk heliport
50"40'18.18"N, 156"07'26.26" E

WWII Japanese Airbase
50"21'25.58"N, 155"33'52.30"E

Re: Was just reading a book about collecting motorcycles.. and..

Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:55 am

More than likely the planes have been recovered by now but they were probably there in 92'. I know there were several P-63 airframes and a number of Japanese airframes on Shumshu in 1990 but I think those have all been recovered. Paramushir is not far south of Shumshu along the Kuril chain of islands. They might be relatively close to each other but I can tell you from experience, the Kuril islands are about as far away and remote as the dark side of the moon. Make sure you pack some Deep Woods Off and several bottles of Vodka. The Vodka will keep the flies and mosquitoes off of you for a while and when that runs out, you can drink the Deep Woods Off to end your agony.

Re: Was just reading a book about collecting motorcycles.. and..

Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:26 pm

This appears to be the island in question.
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/ ... ushir.html

Re: Was just reading a book about collecting motorcycles.. and..

Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:43 pm

I well remember a photo from a magazine that showed over a dozen Kingcobra wrecks (circa 1992) on one of the Kuril islands. I remember seeing online that most had been recovered to the mainland and four or five had come to the US. Also didn't the Oscar wrecks that served as the basis of the newbuilds from a few years ago also come from the Kurils?

intrigue !!!

Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:32 pm

--if you want a zero anyway....Image
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