[Milsurplus] Crated new P39s

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 6 May 2017 at 23:39, Todd, KA1KAQ wrote:

> On Sat, May 6, 2017 at 6:38 PM, Mark M via Milsurplus <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>     
>     The idea that boxed new aircraft would be buried never made any sense to me
> 
> Seems I recall seeing photos of some being uncovered maybe 10 years back? Wish I could 
> remember.
> 
> But it makes perfect sense to me, when compared to similar happenings with the military. Two 
> examples that come to mind:
> 
> First from a good friend of mine who pent years in the National Guard. Each year they went off to 
> 'camp' at Fort Drum, NY for a couple weeks. During their summer training they were issued X 
> number of crates of ammunition for practice.
> 
> Sometimes they didn't shoot it all. but early on they "learned" that you did not turn back in unused 
> ammunition or any other supplies as it required extensive paperwork, in triplicate, took a long 
> time, and irritated everyone involved.
> 
> So they buried it before coming back in from the field.

When I was in the Montana National Guard in the 1960s and 1970s, one summer camp we 
went to a military fort in Helena, Montana. I was "elected" one night to be the Sergeant of the 
Guard. I was supposed to stay awake all night in the main post guard quarters and keep tabs 
on anyone coming in or out.

About 2:00 AM, our First Sergeant. Sergeant Sandford, regular army, and my "boss" came by 
leading a group of about 10 other troops all carrying shovels.

I said, "Sandy, what is going on?" He told me, "Shut up, shut your office, and come along."

So, I did.

We all went out to a certain spot on the fort outskirts and started digging. 

We found the nicest stuff.

Among other things, a brand new still in the crate Ford engine for our ancient Priest 
self-propelled howitzers, a new NIB .50 cal machine gun barrel, several brand new Brunton 
Compasses, some new military first aid kits, and have no idea what else, since others were 
madly digging and finding all manner of "goodies".

I think I still have the first aid kit around here somewhere.

About 4:00 AM we quit and I went back to the main guard shack to continue my duties.

So, yes, apparently it was common practice to bury a lot of stuff. Why not entire airplanes?

Ken W7EKB

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