Airfields and Aircraft Wreckage in the Solomon Islands area

AIRFIELDS AND AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE
IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS AREA
E-MAILS FROM BRUCE KIRKWOOD

Subject:    Photographs
Date:             Fri, 01 Sep 2000 13:35:52 +1000
From:           Bruce Kirkwood <pob@tpg.com.au>

Attached is a file containing miscellaneous photographs of Airfields, Wreckage etc. in Solomon Islands. As I told you earlier, some of the photogrphs are not the best quality. I am also not the world's greatest photographer. However if any of it is of use to you feel
free to use the photographs as you like. The only shot which is not mine is the one of the restored 20 mm cannon at Wagga.

Regarding the Walrus accident at Bowen, I have not been able to track anything down as yet. The Bowen Shire has a website www.bowen.qld.gov.au and they have some information (very brief) on wartime activities in the area. They do mention a Walrus (Seagull) accident. However I would have thought that the Seagull would not have been in service at that time. Didn't three seagulls carry out a round Australia flight about 1929? I can recall seeing photographs of the aircraft on the water at Bowen.

	Zero wing Choiseul Is., Western Solomons. The 20mm cannon serial no. 263 or 269 was recovered from this wing in surprisingly good condition and resides in the War Memorial Museum Zero in Canberra
	American and Japanese guns and munitions at Vilu Village. The cannon in the centre of this picture was recovered from the P38.
	American and Japanese guns and munitions at Vilu Village.
	American and Japanese guns and munitions at Vilu Village.
	Aircraft wreckage Vilu Village Museum, West Guadalcanal.
	Aircraft wreckage Vilu Village Museum, West Guadalcanal.
	Aircraft wreckage Vilu Village Museum, West Guadalcanal. Remains of a Betty bomber
	American ampibious vehicles Guadalcanal.
	American ampibious vehicles Guadalcanal.
	American landing craft near Tulagi.
	Remains of Japanese destroyer near Tulagi.
	Remains of Japanese destroyer near Tulagi.
	American War Memorial
	American War Memorial
	American War Memorial
	American War Memorial, Guadalcanal
	American War Memorial, Guadalcanal
	American War Memorial, Guadalcanal
	Australian, American and Japanese Memorials,Vilu Village
	Australian, American and Japanese Memorials,Vilu Village
	Australian, American and Japanese Memorials,Vilu Village
	Avengers on Stirling Is., Western Solomons
	Avengers on Stirling Is., Western Solomons
	Ballale Airfield in 1971
	Betty bombers and cockpit on Ballalae, Western Solomons in about 1975
	Betty bombers and cockpit on Ballalae, Western Solomons in about 1975
	Betty bombers and cockpit on Ballalae, Western Solomons in about 1975
	Gun near Henderson Field
	Guns on Stirling Island Western Solomons
	Henderson Field Guadalcanal, possibly during rebuild in 1960's
	Japanese guns, Vilu Village
	Japanese guns and helmets, Vilu Village
	Japanese guns, Vilu Village
	Japanese guns, Vilu Village
	Japanese guns, Vilu Village
	Old wharf on Gavutu Is. RAAF and US flying boat base near Tulagi, Solomon Is.
	Wreckage on Gavutu Is. RAAF and US flying boat base near Tulagi, Solomon Is.
	On final to Munda, Western Solomons
	P 38 at Vilu Village.
	P 38 at Vilu Village.
	Dauntless at Vilu Village. Despite being underwater for 30 plus years before being recovered, the nose gear oleo still maintained some pressure
	P 39 remains near Honiara. This aircraft was originally part of a lend lease shipment to UK which was diverted to the Pacific when Japan entered the war. The British markings could be seen under the fading American markings
	P 39 remains near Honiara. This aircraft was originally part of a lend lease shipment to UK which was diverted to the Pacific when Japan entered the war. The British markings could be seen under the fading American markings
	Personnel carrier Honiara
	Recovered munitions waiting destruction, Guadalcanal. Some of this was in new condition
	Recovered munitions waiting destruction, Guadalcanal. Some of this was in new condition
	Remains of a Corsair, Vilu Village
	Remains of a Zero, Tambea Village, West Guadalcanal.
	Remains of a Zero, Tambea Village, West Guadalcanal.
	Remains the Zero prop and an American prop, Tambea Village, West Guadalcanal.
	Remains of a Zero, Guadalcanal
	Ringi Cove (Vila) Airstrip Kolumbangara Island
	Rubber tracked vehicle, Betikama Mission Museum, Honiara
	Seghe Airfield East New Georgia
	Southern End of Ballale Airstrip June 1971
	Stirling (Mono) Island Airstrip, Western Solomons
	The old Munda terminal. I wonder how many ex Qantas PNG pilots would remember this
	Two views of the early American insignia on a Vultee Vengence wing at Vilu Village
	Two views of the early American insignia on a Vultee Vengence wing at Vilu Village
	Val on Ballalae Is
	Wildcat, Vilu Village
	P-38 cockpit, Vilu Village
	20mm cannon recovered from Zero wing at Choiseul Is. after restoration by RAAF at Wagga Wagga.
	Carney Field, Guadalcanal in 1943 (Warning File is 261 Kbytes)