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I believe these images were taken from a reel because;
look at the first image, you will notice on the ground to the lower end of the image, the air intake cowl and to the side of that another piece. These are the same items placed onto the remains of the engine to give it the more completed look. Secondly, look at the last image, check out the shadow to the rear of the cowling????? if there was anything substantial there its shadow would be visible also along the ground. Some of the red - brown pieces that look like they could be corroded parts are in fact large iron stone (or some other very hard rock) pieces, hence the name given to the airbase during the war, "The Rock". I suppose there is no reason why someone else, a couple of years after our team was there surveying for a Cultural heritage report, could have put those same items back to get a similar result, I mean it would be an obvious thing to do to anyone who has some basic knowledge of aircraft. My point was to reinforce what some of the more observant readers mentioned, very close to the coast, very little 'major' components left. A quick research on the net will show what happened at this base towards the middle of 1945. The Americans had a committment to return the entire Island chain back to what it was. The Americans offered to sell the remaining buildings, stores etc to the indigenous Government but they refused. So the Americans did what they did so often, pushed it all into the ocean, very much like million dollar point in the New Hebrides (Espirito Santo - Vanuatu) and like million dollar point you can dive on the remains here too in beautiful clear waters - hence the focus on getting tourists there. Nothing is isolated in this Island chain, nothing that $50 USD (back then) couldn't fix and while during my visit to this location there was a small military presence, they were often very happy to let you go into the more remote areas provided you had one of the local escorts to assist you. Besides we were operating under a UN charter and so I guess not considered a threat, the locals were very friendly and more than happy to talk about and even show you the many War time remains in this area. I would add though that there was one area that we didn't get to see in the first visit and that was the old bombing range, not too upset about that but we managed to get to every other place, including to the wreck of a large US Bomber (the type escapes me at the minute). I think if you search the Net for information about the rock and WW2 there is plenty of information and images to back me up on this. Those images are identical to the images on a well known travel destination site (will not mention it but if anyone is interested I can provide the link).
Sorry to poo poo the story, but I would hate to think that someone may take the trouble of visiting the site only to realise a) the Government will not allow the removal of culturally protected items, whatever they maybe, b) There is not enough pieces left to justify an economical recovery and c) There are better value for money recoveries still out there.
shelldrake.
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