[Milsurplus] Buried NIB WW2 aircraft.

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Mon, May 8, 2017 at 1:24 AM, Mark M via Milsurplus <
milsurplus at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> Can anyone point to even one example of a buried new crated WW2 aircraft
> being excavated?
>

Not off the top of my head, but there are numerous stories and photos of
other, large equipment out there found buried, some still in the crates.


> Burying something that big intact isn't easy and seems pointless to me.
>

Not easy if you're doing it with your GI-issue shovel, true. Think 'heavy
equipment' like loaders, dozers, power shovels, etc. Simple. They weren't
full sized when crated. I've witnessed other large items being buried up in
the same manner: dig a hole, haul the items in, cover. Pointless? Maybe
loading it all onto ships and hauling it thousands of miles back here when
people needed to get home worse seemed pointless at the time. "Expedient"
comes to mind. Keep in mind too, this was post-war, and that the jet age
was dawning. Then think about the boneyards back here in the US where the
vast number of surplus aircraft ended up that did come home. I'd bet the
cost involved with getting stuff back here would exceed scrap or auction
value.


> I actually hope I am dead wrong and that crated P39s and other types await
> discovery and excavation.
>

Probably not in 'new' condition at this point and more of a novelty/parts
donor now. Aluminum corrosion would be a huge problem. From the photos I've
seen, the crates were anything but air or water tight. There would likely
be handling damage as well from stacking/shoving/dropping them into a hole.

As far as burying aircraft though, one needn't look any further than the
recent Middle East conflicts and numerous Migs stashed under the sand. Same
basic principal, though an assembled aircraft is more difficult to
position, and sand is a real PITA to work with.
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