Reclaiming Tobera Airfield
Photos 1945–1952

Comparison study of regrowth over the airfield from aerial photograph. This amazing chronology shows how the airfield was literally swallowed up by jungle regrowth. Photos via Brian Bennett.

The first photograph was during 1945.
Although the airfield was neutralized and pot marked with craters all the taxiways revetment and even emergency appear are all clearly visible.

The second photograph was taken in 1948
Only a few years after the war ended. The jungle has regrown right to the edges of the dirt runway and the taxiways are only skinny slivers.

The third photograph from 1952
The airfield appears to be gone. The red box outlines the length of the runway, where only the ends are faintly visible. No evidence of the taxiways are visible.

Today, there are few traces of the original airfield layout. It is currently a copra plantation. The plantation owner's home is located approximately half way down the original runway.

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