- Joined
- Aug 7, 2014
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Hi all,
Working in the oil industry means I have to travel to some fairly remote places, one of these places to note is West Papua. We transition through an old airfield that was a Japanese fighter base during the WW2 Pacific campaign. I believe that the US used the base for a short while after it was captured.
The region is very difficult to get to, several flights out of Jakarta, hence the unspoilt nature of the place. There are still the remains of several Japanese fighters (Zero?) and twin engine planes still by the side of the airfield at Babo.
I have included some pictures here of the engines and the steam traction roller that was used by the Dutch to build the airfield in the early 1900s. There is also a US fighter plane still suspended in a tree, unfortunately I did not have my camera with me but I have been told that there is a possibility of un-exploded WW2 ordinance, not to mention crocs and snakes, in the bush so it pays to be careful! Altogether an amazing place.
Steve
Working in the oil industry means I have to travel to some fairly remote places, one of these places to note is West Papua. We transition through an old airfield that was a Japanese fighter base during the WW2 Pacific campaign. I believe that the US used the base for a short while after it was captured.
The region is very difficult to get to, several flights out of Jakarta, hence the unspoilt nature of the place. There are still the remains of several Japanese fighters (Zero?) and twin engine planes still by the side of the airfield at Babo.
I have included some pictures here of the engines and the steam traction roller that was used by the Dutch to build the airfield in the early 1900s. There is also a US fighter plane still suspended in a tree, unfortunately I did not have my camera with me but I have been told that there is a possibility of un-exploded WW2 ordinance, not to mention crocs and snakes, in the bush so it pays to be careful! Altogether an amazing place.
Steve