I did some work on Angaur in January 2011 and I can report that very little (if any) of the wreckage there is worth recovering for restoration (or use in another restoration). I'm certainly no expert on warbird rebuilds nor metallurgy but I think the level of corrosion is far too great. There is almost nothing remaining of the C-47 or B-24s. The F4U is also very sad, but still recognisable as a Corsair. If it were to be recovered, it could possibly be placed in an "as found" diorama in a museum, but that would be about the extent of it.
That said, there are a few components laying around that might be useful for a static restoration. The B-24 turret is still in one piece, as are some superchargers, oil radiators(?) and other bits.
This "boneyard" is very easy to find, as it is located only about 50m off the road that circuits the island's foreshore. It is marked by a B-24(?) propeller that has been erected by someone as a memorial of sorts. It is also only 50m or so inland from the shoreline, so it is in an area where a high level of corrosion and rapid deterioration is assured.
There is another B-24 wreck on the southeastern side of the island, just off the shoreline but I have never seen any reference to this example in any literature or websites. Again, very little remains of this machine, as it is almost right on the shoreline. Badly corroded engines, engine components, undercarriage, wing spar components, wing ribs are still recognisable but little else remains. My guide told me that when he was a teenager (20-25 years ago) the aircraft was still quite complete aside from the obvious crash damage but that it had "melted" into the jungle floor since then. He also said that the aircraft had apparently crashed at some stage before the US landings and that the surviving crew had been executed by the Japanese. Can anyone confirm this story?
I have some photos from my trip there but I am unable to post them at this stage because the server restrictions at my location (I am on a gold mine in Sumatra) won't allow me access too photosharing sites. If someone would like to contact me, I can send pics by e-mail which could then be posted here on my behalf. My e-mail is
jvenables@virginbroadband.com.au