Help us Document WWII Aviation Heritage

My name is Daniel Leahy and I am an aviation archaeologist, historical researcher, and developer of the AirPowerArchaeology.com website. I am writing on behalf of a number of other qualified archaeologists who are currently volunteering their time and resources to research and record Second World War aviation heritage sites across Australia.

In March 2019 we ran a GoFundMe campaign which allowed us to visit and survey the wreck of a United States Army Air Forces Brewster Buffalo fighter plane. The aircraft had crashed in Victoria during bad weather and the pilot's remains were recovered and returned to the USA during the war. Though the site was already protected under the state's Heritage Act 2017, through our work the site is now recorded as part of the Victorian Heritage Inventory. The results of this survey were presented at the 2019 Heritage of the Air Conference in Canberra and at the 2020 Victorian Archaeology Colloquium in Melbourne.

We are now looking to conduct archaeological surveys at a number of other Second World War sites. We are already working to access two wreck sites in the state of Victoria, but we need your help.

How funds will be used

At the moment, those involved with our project are volunteering their own time, money, and resources to catalogue what we can through desk-based research. To conduct archaeological surveys, we need assistance with funds to arrange travel, accommodation, and supplies such as food and water while in the field.

Funds will also be used to order records from repositories such as the National Archives of Australia, or to acquire hardware needed to conduct our work.

All work conducted will adhere to the appropriate state / territory laws regarding archaeological survey. No excavation or salvage of artefacts will be undertaken during our work. It is hoped that the results of these projects will be presented at archaeology conferences in the future; published in archaeological journals; and discussed through other non-academic means.

In addition to the archaeological survey work we are hoping to start a number of outreach programs that will see aviation archaeology discussed with the general public, both online and in person. Only through your generous donation can we achieve these goals.

What you will get in return

Anyone who donates over AUD $25 and who chooses not to donate anonymously will have their names included on the campaign page at the AirPowerArchaeology.com website and included in the Acknowledgements of any resulting conference presentations.

We understand that times are tough for many at the moment, so any donation is greatly appreciated and all will help with our project.

Kind regards,

Daniel J. Leahy