Warbird Information Exchange

Remember reading years ago that many of our fighters were abandoned on island airstrips in the Philippines, the aircraft eventually being taken over by the jungle. Specifically, P-39s were seen at one remote strip, the vines doing their job on the airframes. Were these all scrapped at a later date like in NG? Just curious if anyone knows. Thanks.

I don't know the airfields, Rob. It wasn't mentioned in the article. If I recall correctly, an airliner had to land at night at an abandoned fighter strip due to bad weather, which ended up being full of jungle-covered, derelict P-39s. Probably a very few years after the war, I would guess in the late 40s or early 50s.

Hi Guys,

I am sure that the Phils is the next big hunting ground, of the 39 wartime airfields, at least two are known/thought to contain buried a/c.
Floridablanca has been quoted often in the past that "numerous aircraft were abandoned and buried here after the war".
The other being Silay, where I think I read something on the lines of the Japanese a/c captured were buried after hostilities ended.

There is also a mention in the book Hellcat by Barrett Tillman of an F6F nightfighter ditching in a freshwater lake, quote "Harry Johnson's plane was hit by AA fire and he ditched in a lake", of course sod's law dictates that it doesn't tell you which lake or even which island, but I'm sure one of you out there can fill in the gaps.

So there you are guys, break out the bug juice, the jungle boots, spades and all the rest, oh and don't forget your suncream, you'll love the Phils, sunshine, lovely beaches, cold beer and plenty of entertainment.

Stuart

Stuart

Have you heard of a Japanese type ( supposedly 'twin engined') on display in a village on one of the islands ....I think either Sumatra or Borneo ?

Dave

Gentlemen,
Back in 1981/82, Bob Diemert of Carman, Mantioba, Canada traveled with three gentlemen from Texas to the Phillipines seeking WWII aircraft. They spent two months searching and flew to every known outpost known to have once had USAAF or Japanese aircraft and found absolutely nothing.
According to Diemert the Philipinos are extremely efficient at transforming any aluminum into pots and pans, etc.
Yours very truly,
Norman Malayney

Norman,

You are quite correct that Bob found nothing of interest but if I am correct, they were only looking above ground and yes it is true that the Filipino's are magic at scrounging and turning anything scrap into something usefull.
I haven't searched the Phils, nor have I heard of anyone actually attempting to dig for buried a/c, mainly because the places I mentioned are either military bases or civil airports and getting permits to search would probably take forever.

Dave,
Yes I have heard this rumour and it is Sumatra if I remember correctly and I think it is just a rumour 'cause if it did exist it would have been removed a long time ago, a few US Dollars make an Indoneasian a Rupia millionaire, it's a poor country and money does talk there.

Stuart

Hi Rob,
The Betty that was recovered in the early nineties ended up going to Planes of Fame. I believe it's still there in a crash diorama.

Cheers.
Richard

Gentlemen:

Let me set the record straight. After the war most planes in the Philippines were buried and bulldozed. That means run over with the tracks. Everything with one known exception was destroyed. 　　　

Hey Gentlemen:

I'd be very cautious of scammers on the subject of warbirds. If anyone tells you that their friend just found a warbird--ie P-39s in the Philippines be careful. I had a scammer tell me this same thing. To make a long story short, he told me this tale of P-39s on an abandoned Philippine auxillary strip. This was right before he attempted to scam me for bogus T-6 parts from him. Don't believe a word anybody says until you really know them. If it seems to good to be true it probably is.

Chris