MYSTERY FIND IN PENANG

There was a piece of an aircraft wreck found by an NST journalist in Penang in June 2001. This piece came from the engine cowling cover. Some people who live nearby told the press that it was probably from a Japanese Zero fighter.

However, from close examination of the photo, Shaharom, our avid wreck hunter, reasoned that the piece was not from a Japanese Zero aircraft at all. The camouflage still got the army green colour and the closest match to this colour (of aircraft which crashed in late 41's) were the Ki-43 and Brewster Buffaloes. And from the source that Shaharom obtained, there were several Japanese aircraft like the Ki-43, Ki-51, Ki-27 Nate, Ki-48 Bombers (not Zero) and Buffaloes that were reportedly missing over Penang Island.

From the rivets and the thickness of the plate, Shaharom believed that it was of British or American manufacture. If these were Japanese, the piece would have shown off the aluminium skin with its red primer (antirust). Perhaps some of you who happened to read this page, could throw some light on this mystery. Please e-mail me at datomus@pc.jaring.my or shaharome@hotmail.com