B-17E 41-2446 Machine Guns
Radio Compartment .50 Caliber Machine Gun

Radio Compartment Machine Gun
This machine gun was recovered from a stowed position in the radio room of B-17E 41-2446 (aka 'The Swamp Ghost').  Removed in the early 1970's by Australian survey team and donated to the Air Museum of Papua New Guinea, where it was displayed until the museum closed in 1978 and transferred to the PNG Museum, where it was displayed from 1978 until removed in April 2006.

Removed illegally by Alfred Hagen in April 2006, prior to his illegal salvage of B-17E 41-2446 (aka 'The Swamp Ghost'). According to museum officials, Hagen showed them his 'export permit' and claimed that he also owned this weapon and removed it over their protests. Reportedly, the gun was taken to Lae and loaded into a container with other parts that were impounded when the recovery was halted. Likely, this gun was placed into the shipping with the bomber or was seized by PNG Police.

B-17E 41-2446 Radio Compartment, December 2003

Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun displayed at PNG Museum, April 2004