P-38 at Finschhafen
Night Beetle
Definitely was a P-38. Positively identified from impellor blades and one of the twin booms on the beach. Majority of wreckage was just under the water.
TAA Social Club at Lae used to have a staff picnic day at Finschhafen each year. Load up a side-saddle DC-3 , 32 side saddle seats plus 16 High-density seats down the middle , total 48 seats but load was usually around 65-70 including kids plus some "Niners" on the rear platform. Normally went to the rock pools beside the strip , blasted out of the rock by army engineers during WW11 , but in 1971 went across to the island instead and picnicked beside the wreckage.
Used to go to a restaurant called " the Habitat " on a hill beside the road to Nadzab , near Abunaka Plantation ( Jim Jacob's ??? ) in the early 70's. Many a cold greenie consumed there on Sunday afternoons. Was also a rest stop after swanning on the lawns at the Royal Nadzab Races.
Last time I saw former Bird of Paradise managers Brian and Bev Martin was in 2008 and they were managing Rapopo Resort on the beach just out of Kokopo. Many will remember their stint at the Kaivuna , home of the famous deep-dish pies.
Could go on forever here !!!.