MICRONESIA - Langar Island

[jdvoss]

Japanese Navy Seaplane Base, Ponape, Caroline Islands

Attached are a few photos of the now abandoned seaplane facility on Langar Island located in the harbor of Ponape in the East Caroline Islands. I visited the island in 1964 and the attached photos reflect that visit. At the time the only way one could visit the island was via a once a week air service on a U.S. Dept of the the Interior Grumman SA-16. The island was also occasionally visited by US Navy HU-16's from NAS Kwajalein (also pictured). The hill at the end of the ramp had a well hidded hanger with the remains of a Japanese Aichi E13A1 "Jake" aircraft.

A jet runway was constructed in the harbor which replaced the need for further seaplane service. The g.e. photo is dated 10 Jan 2010

Note:The Caroline islands were renamed as the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

[PETERTHEEATER]

Lovely images, I have a soft spot for Pacific islands perhaps a yearning to get away from the rat race!

You last image is a form of 'Blister' hangar looking at the framework although the covering is long gone. Not much left of the floatplane either.

[jdvoss]

Peter:
Yes, there is not much left of of Japanese floatplane. It was quite evident that the native populace had stripped the aircraft of all usable material as only one of its floats and the engine remained. Typically the aluminum found its way into innovative cooking utensils, tools, hair combs and anything else that could stand the ravages of heat, humidity, salt air and time.