B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2446 (aka "Swamp Ghost") has been a continual source of fascination and news since it force landed on February 23, 1942 until the present day. Latest news covers news of its controversial salvage which ignited a flurry of news and public response. Past news is an archive of other news stories. 1942 Reports contains to wartime articles and sources lists published materials related to the bomber.
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Quick Summary
B-17E 41-2446 (aka "Swamp Ghost") was salvaged from the Agiambo swamp and transported to Lae where it was impounded by the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government. During July-September 2007, the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry concluded the salvage was illegal.

On January 26, 2010, this B-17 was exported aboard the Pacific Pathfinder to Long Beach, CA, USA. Today, B-17E 41-2446 (aka "Swamp Ghost") is currently on display outdoors at the Pacific Aviation Museum (PAM) on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

News Articles & Letters
Articles & editorials in Papua New Guinea's daily newspapers

2010
• Everything Long Beach June 11, 2010 B-17E Bomber “Swamp Ghost” returns home to U.S. 68 years after take-off
• Aero Archeology Press Release June 11, 2010 B-17E Swamp Ghost Unveiling Ceremony
• Aero Archeology Press Release June 3, 2010 B-17E BOMBER “SWAMP GHOST” RETURNS HOME TO U.S. 68 YEARS AFTER TAKE-OFF Recovered from a remote New Guinea crash site, the Holy Grail of military aviation is unveiled
• FlyPast May 2010 "Swamp Ghost" in New Zealand
• Philly News March 6  Bucks Bizman Recovers B-17
• Post Courier March 1  Over to you Charles Abel (Editorial)
• The National February 17 Museum plan revealed
• The National February 4  Bittersweet ending for 'Swamp Ghost'
• The National January 26  Losing a national treasure
• The National January 26  Last Swamp Ghost crew dies
• The National January 24  Swamp Ghost sale was ‘illegal'
• The National January 21  Replica and museum to replace Swamp Ghost
• Post Courier January 21  War relic to be exported
• RNZI January 20 Top PNG war relic ready for export to the US
• The National January 20  Swamp Ghost ready to be shipped to US
• Post Courier January 17  Landowners deny ‘swamp ghost’ claim
• The National January 12  Export of ‘Swamp Ghost’ imminent

2008
• The National September 22  Abel responds to relic issue
• Post Courier September 22  Silence over Swamp Ghost is deafening
• Radio New Zealand Sept 17 Swamp Ghost buyer wants to preserve
• Radio New Zealand Sept 17 MP says the Swamp Ghost should not have been sold
• Radio New Zealand Sept 15 Anger that PNG Govt has given Swamp Ghost green light
• Post Courier September 15 Swamp Ghost sale illegal
• The National September 11 Return Swamp Ghost to Agiambo
• The National September 10  Salvaged war plane to be shipped to US
• The National April 19  Abel wants NCC to update accounts (SG Export Proposal)
• The National April 18  Tourism can be a 1B kina industry by 2010, says Abel

2007
• Post Courier October 4  Museum Director 'Iced'
• The National April 20  Report brands NMAG as ‘a national disgrace’
• The National April 16  Govt told to find resting place for Swamp Ghost
• Post Courier April 7  Fate of Relic in Limbo
• Post Courier March 30 Salvaging War relics banned temporarily
• The National March 27  Salvage firm denies illegal shipping claim
• The National March 27  Salvage firm photo
• The National March 26 ‘Swamp Ghost’ parts still in Lae
  
• The National March 23 Ghost shipment under probe
• Post Courier March 23  Relic disappears
• The National March 13  Kokoda Track, part of national heritage (mention of Swamp Ghost)
• The National February 21 Museum comes under spotlight
• The National January 19  Tomo rebuts Danaya claim (stalling PAC)
• The National January 16  PAC puts A-G on notice for referral
• The National January 16  2006, the year of inquiries

• 2006
• The National November 16  Alert Issued for Ghost Containers
• The National September 14  PAC: Seize Swamp Ghost
• The National September 14  Museum, Buyers referred for sale of Swamp Ghost
• The National September 13  Museum chief in illegal shipment of war relic
• The National July 10  PAC orders freeze on war relics
• Post Courier July 10  PAC puts ban on museum war relics
• Post Courier July 5  PAC Hearing: Swamp Ghost Advice Ignored
• The National July 5  PAC Nails Museum Inadequate documents anger
• The National June 7  Park for war relics needed 
• Post Courier June 7  Bomber Gets OK to leave
  
• The National June 1  Board lets go of bomber
  
• Post Courier June 1  PNG Museum Board of Trustees
  
• The National May 31  Union: Swamp Ghost better off in America
  
• Post Courier May 30  Swamp Ghost Pending Inquiry
  
• Post Courier May 27  Customs officials eye Swamp Ghost
  
• The National May 26  Rocks hurled at journalist
  
• Post Courier May 25  War plane guns seized
  
• The National May 24  Swamp Ghost stalled | PM Intervene | Leave Swamp Ghost
  
• Post Courier May 24  Swamp Ghost stalled | Public Speaks | Leave War Relics
  
• The National May 23  Swamp Ghost Resurfaces after 64 years
  
• Post Courier May 23  Oro Swamp Ghost disturbed

2005 – 1970
• Post Courier October 31, 2003 War Relic Proves Old Adage
• Flights of Angles Productions August 30, 2000 Swamp Ghost Movie Staring Patrick Swayze
• Malcolm Black August 20, 2000 Swamp Ghost Status
• Post Courier 1993 Museum Revokes & Curator Charged

1942
• New York Times  April 30, 1942  5 Miles In Jungle Take Fliers 4 Days
• New York Post  April 30, 1942  Downed in New Guinea Swamp
• Daily News, Los Angeles  April 30, 1942  Yank Flyers describe horrors of swamp trek
• Washington Post  May 9, 1942  Mother Finally Hears of His Safety
• unknown  Kirkwood Officer In Hospital After Harrowing Rescue

 Reports

• PNG Government February 2007 Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Final Report
• PNG Government July 2006 Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Interim Report
• 2003 report by Justin Taylan to PNG Museum Aviation Icon B-17 Swamp Ghost (PDF file, 3.7meg)
• The Swamp Ghost: B-17E 41-2446 by Glenn E. Spieth, 1986 (self-published report)
• Australian Embassy Telegraph, 1972  Reports Discovery of B-17E 41-2446

Books & Videos

• The Swamp Ghost DVD 2006, by Justin Taylan / Pacific Ghosts
• Pacific Aircraft Wrecks by Charles Darby Kookaburra Publications 1979

Magazine Articles

• Smithsonian Magazine Swamp Ghosts October 2007
• Flightpath Vol 18 No 1 Swamp Ghost Recovered Under A Cloud
• TIGHAR Tracks, July 2006 by Ric Gillespie Sad End
• Aeroplane Monthly August 2006  Swamp Ghost Recovered
• Classic Wings Vol 13 No 3 2006 [Issue 56] by Robert Greinert  Swamp Ghost Saved
• Air Classics, August 2006 Swamp Ghost to Come Home
• Flight Journal, 2004 by Justin Taylan  Swamp Ghost B-17E in New Guinea Wetlands
• Ghost Wings Issue 11, winter 2004  Chasing the Swamp Ghost
• Flightpath, 2000 by Michael Claringbould  Wherefore The REAL Swamp Ghost
• National Geographic March 1992  Douglas MacArthur: An American Soldier
• Warbirds International, 1987 pages 32-33, 74-77 by Kenneth Fields  New Guinea Fort
• TIGHAR Tracks Vol. 2, No. 2, Spring 1986 by Ric Gillespie  Lady In Waiting

 Online Discussion Forums
Discussion threads to ongoing online aviation forums where anyone can express their opinions

• Swamp Ghosts  Smithsonian Magazine October 2007
• Pacific Wreck Database Swamp Ghost B-17E 41-2446
  
• Smithsonian Magazine Swamp Ghost Discussion (related to October 2007 Article)
• Flypast / Air Enthusiast Key Publishing Aviation Forums
  Swamp Ghost recovered | Leave 'em in New Guinea | Swamp Ghost Seized
  
• Warbird Resource Group Warbird Information Exchange
  B-17 Swamp Ghost Recovery (May 19, 2005)
  Swamp Ghost - The read story (thread by Robert Greinert)
  Swamp Ghost Is Heading Home (thread by Robert Greinert)

 Editorials

• Flightpath Vol 18 No 2, page 27 Swamp Ghost
• Petition to the government of PNG Petition to Save Swamp Ghost preserve as the war left it
• Letter from Alfred Hagen, September 2003 Hagen offers $100,000 USD for B-17E 41-2446
• Letter by Malcom Black, February 2002 Swamp Ghost Will Stay
• Letter by Alfred Hagen, January 2002 Statement to Malcome Black
• Letter December 2001, Alfred Hagen begins negotiations solo for Swamp Ghost
• August 30, 2000 Flights of Angles Productions new release for a Hollywood movie [never made]
• Letter August 27, 2000 MARC threatens legal action on "Flights of Angels Production"
• Letter by Malcom Black, December 2001 State of Play with Swamp Ghost
• Letter by Malcom Black, August 2000 Swamp Ghost Should Go to Australia