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Re: The B-26 40-1426 that crash landed on Kiriwina Island

Posted by Stuart on Mon Aug 05, 2002 06:42:20 AM

In reply top Re: The B-26 40-1426 that crash landed on Kiriwina Island posted by Cees on Mon Aug 05, 2002 04:38:35 AM

Amazing, I haven't seen that before, despite endless trauls of the pacific wrecks database. The aircraft looks in great shape (relatively speaking) and would make a great project for some museum.

I often wonder if more official deals (as opposed to sneakily removing the aircraft without the authorities knowing) could be done with the PNG museum in the same way as the RAAFM did with the A20's. This way, everybody would be happy: The Western museum would get their prize project, the PNG museum would get something in return such as another aircraft, staff training or much needed funds. Most importantly, more historic aircraft would be preserved.

For example, imagine what the RAFM could get in return for one of their many 'spare' Spitfires. Enough projects to keep them going for hundreds of years probably! How many Spitfires do they need anyway? At the last count they had about 10 (and that's before you include the 7 from the BBMF, which will eventually come their way).

While on the subject of the pacific wreck database, i'd just like to say i couldn't disagree more with it's policy of "Rust in Peace". What's the point of that? In a few decades they'll all be rotted away having been seen by three people who enjoy trekking through snake-infested swamps to look at the sad remains of something that was once great. These aircraft need to be preserved for future generations (millions of people, not the three mentioned earlier!) who need to see them to properly remember those that fought and died for them and the magnificent machines in which they did it.

Can anyone honestly say that B26 is a more fitting memorial
to it's two pilots sitting and rotting upside down in a swamp in the middle of nowhere when in a few years time it could be restored to it's former glory and displayed as a memorial for millions of people (people to whom it means something). Get it out and put it in the AAM at Duxford, i say, but then i'm biased.

Phew, end of rant!
Stuart

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