WIX Archives

Pacific Wreck Database

Posted by Justin Taylan on Fri Mar 26, 2004 05:45:43 PM

In reply top Re: PNG P-47- SCOTT FETCH THE NET !!!!!!!!! posted by john parker on Fri Mar 26, 2004 02:04:19 AM

Hello all,

My name is Justin Taylan, I am the creator of a website called Pacific Wreck Database, that I invite you all to visit, at http://www.pacificwrecks.com

The website is a free, public database of historical information. I am the grandson of a Pacific veteran, and the topic of Pacific history and relics has been my passion for the past 10 years. Its a non-profit project, that I do in my spare time.

I will do some research into these P-47's, and post back to this forum, if anyone is interested.

Here are a few myths about 'Pacific Wrecks' eluded to by posters to this thread...

1) Aircraft in jungles are corroded and 'rotting'
Yes, after 60+ years, steel, etc is gone, rendering them useless for most restoration or use (aircrews even had this problem during the war due to the rain, etc). But, the aluminum and 'hulks' of the aircraft themselves are still there, and will be present into the distant future. In fact, is "new" wrecks are still being discovered now, and into the future years. Also, the relics of WWII (low speed crashes) are unique in themselves. As we all will agree, modern aircraft when they crash do not leave such wrecks, only a crater and molten bits due to higher speeds of crash. Also, Everyone knows the 'worth' of WWII aircraft. Today, even villagers in remote areas know that they are 'valuable'. This has lead to preservation, lawsuits, scrapping and other activities... some good, others bad.

3) Anyone can visit relics of war. All you have to do is travel there. Like it or not, these relics are part of the native people' history of WWII (the people / places where the war was fought). They are owned by those people, and their governments. We, as outsiders can only visit them, and encourage them to protect them, either by leaving them alone. Often, outsiders get in trouble for taking relics (or attempting to bribe people, etc). The world is a very small place, especially with this niche history, and quickly word gets back as to what happened. Those taking relics often claim they preserving history by breaking other country's laws.

3) There are still amazing wrecks out there, that need to be recovered, now
Yes, every wreck is historic and important and it would be great to have everyone displayed in a museum or restored to fly. But, the 'best' aircraft wrecks (in terms of restoration value) have ALREADY been recovered (in the 1970's and beyond). Today, there are just crash sites, and abandoned bits that have been picked over. They are of interest to history, but the place for most of them is in those countries for tourists to see, or for the local people to have some monument to the war fought on their lands from 41-45. Yes, there are probably a few intact wrecks out there to be found... if they are found, they will be reported on www.pacificwrecks.com

Thank you and look forward to hearing from anyone with information on WWII Pacific aircraft, veterans, or travelers to the Pacific. Also, the Pacific Wrecks site has its own discussion forum, for those that are interested - historical topics only, no flaming - http://www.pacificwrecks.com/forum/



- Justin
justin@wanpela.com


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WWII 60th Anniversary 1944 - 2004

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