Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost

Discussion about the history of B-17E 'Swamp Ghost' and its recovery.

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West-Front
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Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost

Post by West-Front »

Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost
By BARNEY PONDROS

A FIBREGLASS replica will be erected and a war museum worth K1.5 million will be set up in the place of Papua New Guinea’s most famous war relic, the B17 Flying Fortress – Swamp Ghost which is being exported to the US.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Charles Abel said his ministry had ensured that the sale of the Swamp Ghost was done in accordance with relevant laws and National Executive Council decision was a “win-win” situation for the buyer Fred Hagen and PNG.

The NEC decision was made on Aug 28, 2008.Landowners of the site where the bomber set for the past four decades will also receive US$100,000 that has been kept in a trust account, reportedly for a decade.Mr Abel said any interest accrued will also be paid out to landowners, and he hopes they will put the money to good use.He confirmed that the bomber that is currently being held at the Lae main wharf will depart on Jan 26, for its voyage to the US.

Documents disclosed by the Minister showed the decision to sell the Swamp Ghost to Mr Hagen’s firm Aero Archaeology, through its agent HARS PNG.According to the memorandum of agreement signed between the State and Aero Archaeology last Dec 10, the firm must ensure, prior to taking the relic away, that “it provides funds for the further improvement of PNG’s National Museum and Art Gallery”.In a late afternoon interview yesterday, Mr Abel cleared the air saying the sale was in the best interest of the State and there was nothing dubious about it.

Mr Abel had to come clear, because many thought the sale was done without due process as in 2006 the Public Accounts Committee findings said the sale, salvage, removal or export of State-owned property breached certain laws and was illegal.
A letter from the State Solicitor George Minjihau, dated last Aug 31, however, agreed that the MoA between the State and Aero Archaeology was in order.

Mr Minjihau had given his written blessing to the National Museum and Art Gallery Board of trustees.
Regarding that, Mr Abel said since he took office he had worked closely with the board to clean up the system and ensure that the sale of the Swamp Ghost set the pace and precedence for any future sale of war relics.
“In the past, things were done illegally, even before Swamp Ghost, a lot of war relics were sold out, but we have changed that and will ensure that any requests for the purchase of war relics must be channeled through the minister and the board,” Mr Abel said.He also confirmed that plans have already been put in place and the new war museum will be erected.
“It will be a complete modern history building with artists centre, barbeque facilities and children’s playground, and there will be an exact replica of the Swamp Ghost,” he said.
http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/5337

NS38th_Aristaeus
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Re: Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost

Post by NS38th_Aristaeus »

So if I read this right the sale was legal afterall? It appears it all worked out for the best, PNG will have its tourist trap and a part of American history and heritage will be preserved.
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West-Front
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Re: Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost

Post by West-Front »

I think the PAC report is the last word in terms of the dealings that went on to acquire the airframe. I suggest all those motivated to read it do so, and gain a better insight into how its come to be recovered / exported.

rod mountford
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Re: Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost

Post by rod mountford »

Hi building a replica and a museum lol is rubbish, is long gone now and the locals will get diddley squat as always.

The Australian
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Re: Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost

Post by The Australian »

rod mountford wrote:Hi building a replica and a museum lol is rubbish, is long gone now and the locals will get diddley squat as always.
What do you really expect from PNG anyways. What do you think is best for this wreck? What do you think the 'locals' should get? Talk is cheap.

Perserving this wreck in a proper facility is paramount in my opinion. It beats this B17, literally rotting away, being vanadalised, or being held for ransom in a local 'museum compound' in pieces, yes and all by corrupt officals, and for the record, PNG runs well on corruption, its part of the culture there, like it is in 3rd world countries.

I am pleased to see this saga which has dragged on for years finally over, and wartiem heritage perserved again for futher generations to see.

Regards from the tropcs,

The Australian

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