Regarding aircraft restoration and recovery, I guess I am in a gray area when it comes to this kind of thing. Over the years I have seen some excellent land based wrecks still in excellent condition be cut up for scrap and it breaks my heart to see this. I for one would love to see the A/C go out to restorers through out the world or for either static or returning them to flying status. Unfortunally Papua New Guinea has no firm guide lines to these old relics and most locals collect the scrap for sale however if an outsider was to try to collect for later restoration he would be met with a mountain of paper work, red tape and a huge "donation fee". Outsiders have taken planes out with the permission of the powers that be but usually after a long wait and then there is more damage to the aircraft.

The planes in the water however I feel should stay there as once taken above water they start falling apart very rapidly and I know of very few planes that have been taken from salt water and made to a static display. At least the planes in the water will be looked after buy responsible divers and operators for all to see. Perhaps in the next 50 or so years there will be a product on the market that will enshore seawater corrosion wont go further than it is.

Previous | Next | Rod Pearce Main Page