Wartime History
Scrapped at Finschafen and buried into a large pit near the airfield.

Wreckage
Remained 'in situ' until 2002.

Recovery
Recovered in 2002, by Australian group known as '75 Squadron' (no association with the RAAF unit). The wreck was reportedly dug up while the group was recovering aircraft scrap from Finchafen. This aircraft was containered at Lae, and shipped as cargo to Australia.

After arriving at Melbourne, this and other wreckage was transported by road on city streets during Melbourne morning rush hour traffic and identified as P-38s and P-47s by many drivers. Containered with P-38J "Jandina III" 42-103988 and (possibly) P-38F 42-12652 and three Thunderbolts: this aircraft plus P-47D 42-8074 and P-47D 42-22521.

Shipped by boat to Westpac Restorations in Rialto, California. During 2003-2004, this wreckage was stored at their facility during 2003-2004. At the time, details on this aircraft were unknown due to non-disclosure agreement with the owner/client Paul Allen / Flying Heritage Collection.

This recovery was cited as an illegal recovery in the PNG Government Public Accounts Committee Report in 2006.

Current whereabouts today are unknown, likely moved to Paul Allen / Flying Heritage Collection in Arlington, WA.

References
Aeroplane Monthly "Buried Thunderbolts to Fly Again" (May 2004)
Warbirds International "Out of the Pit" by Michael O'Leary (May 2004)

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Last Updated
October 30, 2009