The newly planned war history museum is going to be a one-stop centre for education, tourism and for those interested in war history, particularly military aviation in PNG.
The museum will be promoting the Kokoda Track, tourism in general and education by attracting professionals and academics.
Acting Director for the National Museum Dr Andrew Moutu has certain plans in place and hopes to carry them out once the development of the museum comes together.
Mr Moutu told the Post-Courier that there were about three planes waiting to come home to PNG, two from Brisbane, Australia, which have been fully restored and one from the American company AERO Archaeology which is a replica of the Swamp Ghost that they (AERO Archaeology) imported from PNG in 2008.
AERO Archaeology was granted the export of the aircraft in exchange for funding for the planned history museum and a fee for the locals of the area where the plane rested.
Despite all the controversy surrounding the export of the Swamp Ghost, it has brought about a positive venture for the museum and fulfilled their desire to house their history records and relics in a better place, rather than the old warehouse in Ahuai Street, Gordon.
The current state of the museums records is not quite updated and it is difficult to gather information with pieces of history scattered all over the country and the common land owner matters that arise.
Mr Moutu stated that if all the relics in the country were to be located, salvaged and documented, it would require man-power and funding, and it was a tremendous job.
He added that this was the best thing that had happened to the museum and he was happy because before there was any publicity of the Swamp Ghost it was neglected and just left to rust in the swamps of the Northern Province.
Via Post Courier.