USAAF
5th AF
Walt Deas 2001
Wartime History
Crashed off Siar Island, north of Madang.
It might have crashed into the sea, and was dragged
onto the island by Japanese forces.
Wreckage
The wreckage consists of a portion of the center fuselage, a "17?" were
once visible on the wreckage, possibly traces of a tail number.
Possibly P-38H 42-66904.
Bruce Hoy adds:
"I visit this site in the mid 1980s. The wreckage had blue paint, indicating it could have been a F5 [photo
reconnaissance version of the] Lightning."
Keith Hopper adds:
"I have spoken to many long term PNG expatriates who have seen the wreckage during the 60's and 70's. They all say that it was a lot more intact in the early years. And yes I have heard the blue color scheme mentioned before. Simon Tawa the big man on Siar told me that it force landed in the water and was pulled ashore at siar by the Japanese. I think finding a 1950's or 60's photo would help us to solve this mystery. I am aware of many missing recon F-4's & F-5's in PNG, but none specifically mention Madang as the area of loss. The '17' on the tail would indicate 475th FG, if the third digit were missing/obscured (ie 17?). However, if we run with the F-5 theory, then the 8th PRS put the last two digits of the AAF Serial number on their aircraft, so we would be looking for an F-5 with 17 at the end of the serial number."
Brian Bennett adds:
"The pic that you attach doen't really show that much in detail but what appears to be a fuel bladder can be seen. this is likely another case where the pilot may well be buried close by or be in the gondala in the water near by."
References
Footage of this wreck appears in The Bomber Reef DVD by Walt Deas.
F-5
