For a bit of a change...worthy of posting as only seven ever built
Amphibian aircraft raised from the depths after 67 years
A PLANE that sank 67 years ago in the deep and murky waters of the Port Moresby harbour has finally been discovered.
Brian Bells power generation manager Michael Roberts and Moresby Truck and Tractors managing consultant Don Lowe, who discovered the wreckage two weeks ago, say it is a Fairchild model 91 amphibian.
Mr Lowe, who has been searching for the aircraft for three years, said it was brought into the country by Richard Archbold in 1936 to explore the Upper Fly River and the Sepik Divide as part of a huge expedition.
He said it supplied parachute drops of supplies for explorers far up the Fly River and guided new exploration to various regions. Equipped with the latest radio equipment, it acted as the communication command centre for the expedition.
He said the Fairchild could land on rivers, lakes and the few airfields at that time and was chosen by Mr Archbold as the ideal plane to explore the Papua New Guinea.
The aircraft had a single Wright Cyclone engine, a wingspan of 67 feet, a payload of 4000 pounds and 1300 mile endurance with a cruising speed of 140 miles an hour.
Mr Lowe said in late June 1936, the Fairchild was flown to Port Moresby to buy supplies for the expedition from Burns Philp and was anchored in a seaplane alley. He said on July 2, 1936, a strong gale overturned the aircraft which was anchored in the Port Moresby harbour and it sank into the deep waters, unable to be salvaged.
Now 67 years later, on February 20, a vessel was retrieving its anchor to depart when pieces of aircraft wreckage began surfacing.
“When I heard this from the skipper about aircraft wreckage, I immediately presumed it to be the Fairchild aircraft and contacted Don Lowe who has been looking for the missing aircraft,” said Mr Roberts.
On February 21, at 6am, Mr Roberts and Mr Lowe dived into the waters to begin their search.
Mr Lowe said after 50 minutes, they came across bits of the missing plane and after conducting further dives that morning, they confirmed it was the missing Fairchild aircraft with its engine and hull/fuselage sitting on the muddy harbour floor.
He said they were 99.9 per cent sure it was the Fairchild aircraft because the engine propeller and shape of the fuselage matched the photographs. He said they needed to find the serial number to confirm the find.
“After several years of searching for this aircraft, it came as a great relief for us to find the remains of this once graceful bird of the sea and sky which was lost 67 years ago,” said Mr Lowe.
www.postcourier.com.pg
Me thinks the cockpit wouldn't be very quiet with a radial that size right above u!