Although worse for the wear, this Lockheed P-38 Lightning,currently in open storage in Papua New Guinea, could provide a sound basis for a restoration to airworthy condition. (Dick Bradsell)
Rumours of substantial numbers of aircraft wrecks in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been circulating for many years, indeed some aircraft that now reside in museums have emanated from PNG, reports Dick Bradsell. One of the latest to be confirmed is an American-built Lockheed P-38 fighter. December last year saw the remains of the the twin-boom fighter in open storage, and it is reported to have sat here for the past nine months.
The aircraft is substantially complete, but is missing the twin boom tail assemblies, engines, undercarriage, cockpit canopy and seat, guns and cowlings, plus cockpit instrumentation. However, whilst the aircraft's identitiy remains unknown, it is thought that should an export license from PHG (sic) ever be granted it could, with a lot of time and money, take to the air again!--FlyPast May 98.