Seaplanes In Western

Papua

Their Increasing Value

IT looks as if the seaplane is to play an important part in the development of Western Papua which is a region of dense jungles, liberally intersected by rivers and lakes.

On May 2, when the Montoro was in

Port Moresby, three seaplanes lay at

moorings in the port, and an examina tion of their ownership shows what is going on in the western districts.

There was a yellow Sikorsky amphi bian, in charge of Pilot H. A. Davis, a hard-bitten American aviator. The Sikor sky is for the use of Papua Oil Develop ment Co. (The Shell Company in another name, and locally known as “Pods”) which is seeking oil in Papua.

Another amphibian had just arrived from the Upper Fly River, with Mr. Ward Williams. That well-known goldseeker is now concentrating his attention on the area up in the corner near the Dutch border and his seaplane, in charge of Pilot Stuart Campbell, is an indispen sable unit of communication.

The third seaplane was a Guinea Air ways Junker (a single-engined W 34) which has been put on to floats and func tions very satisfactorily. It had just com pleted a charter for Investors Ltd., which took it to Mr. Jack Hides’ camp, far up the Strickland River, where the young explorer is seeking gold. The plane, in charge of Pilot Aubrey Koch and Mechanic Carl Isler, has now taken up a

charter for Islands Exploration Ltd. (Vacuum Oil Co., which also has large oil concessions), and it will be employed for some time on and about the Fly River.

The use of land planes in this region would be preferred by the companies, because of their larger pay-Joad; but there are practically no landing-grounds west of the Lakekamu. For the seaplanes, on the other hand, there is almost always landing-water available.

The task of mooring the craft safely on those rushing Papuan rivers should not be underestimated, however. A down pour in the night quickly brings a flood, and with the flood usually come logs capable of wrecking the planes. Most of the big rivers, also, are infested with huge crocodiles, which regularly hunt dogs, pigs, and natives. Seaplane pilots, while in Port Moresby, wander around at all sorts of improper hours, and sniff the wind; it is a habit they form out In the western jungles.