GEOARCHAEOLOGY OF WWII AIRCRAFT IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC

The airframes and wrecks of a large number of military aircraft remained in the Western Pacific after the end of World War II (WWII). The abundance is the result of: (1) the extent of the aerial combat; (2) low population density; (3) geographic isolation; and (4) favorable preservational environments. Following the cessation of hostilities a number of aircraft were recovered, initially for evaluation purposes, or as war prizes, and later for museum collections as static displays or to be restored as flying aircraft. The majority of the aircraft are from the USA (USAAF, USN) and Japan (IJNAS, IJAAS), but others are from several countries including China (ROCAF), Australia (RAAF), Britain (RAF, FAA), the Soviet Union (VVS) and the Netherlands (RNEIAF). The aircraft remains occur in a variety of environments, including, in decreasing order of abundance: (1) subaerial coastal – dominantly on islands; (2) subaqueous marine; (3) subaerial inland; (3) paludal; and (4) rarely, subaqueous lacustrine. The proximity of many these aircraft to marine shorelines results in relatively increased corrosion because of saline conditions, which is exacerbated by generally high temperatures. This is notably the case on most Pacific islands. Exceptions would include large islands such as New Guinea, which has a size and elevations that result in areas with diminished (or no) influence of salinity. Northern locations, such as the Kuril Islands of the former Soviet Union, have saline influence with a cooler climate, but the wrecks, such as several recovered Ki-63 Oscars, exhibit extensive corrosion. Many wrecks are associated with airstrips (e.g., Babo, Yap). Notable planes that have been recovered after WWII and are displayed/under restoration at museums include a B-17 Flying Fortress “Swamp Ghost” at the Pacific Aviation Museum (HI), an Aichi D3A2 Val and a G4M1 Betty at Planes of Fame Museum (CA) and a P-61 Black Widow at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum (PA). WWII planes are significant in aviation archeology as they are transitional between earlier biplanes and later jets in: (1) materials – wood and linen to metal; (2) structure – internal frame to monocoque; (3) power plant – piston engine to jet; and (4) speed -- <100 mph to >500 mph.