This is a private page (meaning you should only see it by invitation).

The page is to keep a record on accounts regarding the authenticity of CNAC #53 in the museum in Pienma.

It is also intended so we can understand the psychosis and reasons why people suspected the plane was not real in the first place.

You can see my final proof the plane is real if you go here (and do not want to read all events).

January 31, 2008 Fletcher wrote a letter and emailed to over 50 people. I believe he also mailed it through land post. Many of the recipients were high Chinese officials. The letter is here.

Because he used my name in the letter I felt I needed to reply. February 12, I replied to all in that email:

Hello to all,

My apologies for sending an email without knowing you personally.

It is just that I have received a couple of emails stating that the picture shows obviously that the plane is not authentic. However, as many of you may have noticed the picture you have is distorted. So, I decided to send a better one.

Nevertheless, until we see the plane in detail and take pictures of the interior I need to refrain from making any comment regarding the plane's authenticity.

Sincerely,

Diego Kusak




A few hours later I received this email from Wong How Man. It was also sent to everyone on the original email:

Dear Diego,
 
I have visited the museum at its very early stage before it was finished and have taken many record shots of Jim Fox's C-53 (CNAC Ship 53) remains.  It was also posted in our newsletter for circulation to select people.  Obviously the current plane is just a model pretending to be the real thing.  The other one was crumbled into a mesh.
 
Best,
 
How Man


I immediately replied to him in private:

Thanks How Man,

Is there any chance those pictures could be sent to me? They could be essential to help me understand what is going on. Also, they could help me when visit the plane (if Lady Deng approves our inspection trip).

I know that museum experts in China do not have the same priorities than we do in the West. They are obsessed with looks, while we are obsessed with Authenticity. Weather it is a culture difference or a ignorant way to put a plane together I still need to give Pienma the benefit of the doubt. Pictures like yours could help me a lot. However, if you can not share I understand.

I can always walk to Yunnan University to pick up if you approve for me to see them. (I live 5 minutes away from CERS office).

Thanks,

Diego Kusak


I am still unsure of why he sent this email to everyone February 13:

Dear All,
 
Here are a few images I took of CNAC Ship 53 when I visited the museum-to-be at Pienma December 2004.  It was in much worse shape than what Peter Goutiere took of the airplane from the air in 1943.  But of course 60 years can do a lot of damage.  However when Christy saw it during his visit, it was still in one piece, certainly not what these so called conservators in China has made it into after hauling it out of the jungle.  What a shame, and a scam.
 
Best,
 
How Man

Here is one of the pictures he sent:



He attached 5 pictures he took when the plane was at the floor of the future museum. Those 5 pictures became an obsession to me. They were the first images in my possession that allowed me to see if plane was real or not.



I used his pictures to make this email sent February 17:

Hello,

Here is my opinion of what I know and think about CNAC #53 so far. I will send another email with link to a web page with the same content in case your service provider does not allow large attachments.

Care,
Diego Kusak 

My opinion was in this link. I also sent it as document format.

It was clear to me that the museum had not committed a scam. I was quite offended by How Man's remarks. Still, the whole incident was still a mystery and I needed to know more.



I need to add more emails between me and Fletcher like this one.

Others began to exchange emails about their opinion about the plane.

Here is an email from Ced (to everyone) dated February 18:
Hi Diego , Fletch, and How Man. - Happy Year of the Rat. I was disturbed to see all the old and gruesome pics of CNAC 53. Since I volunteer at the Alberta Aviation Museum Association I note that the Douglas C-47 needs a lot of work. I believe that the the substitution of an aircraft is wrong. If its a replica it should be so stated. In Edmonton, Canada  we have a Historian that researches its accuracy. Also a man who controls the workmanship and fine detailing. Any abberation is duly noted. As one of the four oldtime Hump Pilots, please convey my concern to Lady Deng, Ge Shuya, Jeff Greene and everyone that seeks authenticity. Good luck to your endeavours.
 
sincerely,
 
CED  MAH

How Man replied to all:

Ced,
 
I think Diego is right, that the plane on display is salvaged from the crashed plane.  Aluminum is not that difficult to straighten, soft as it is.  We all agree they did a lousy job given the constraints and lack of experience and resources in China, especially remote parts of China.  I however, do not think they know or can tell the story behind CNAC and its HUMP efforts.  I hope you find our description at the Old Town exhibit valid and in context of the real situation.
 
Best,
 
How Man


That was very nice but still many people doubted the plane was real. And I personally blame How Man for creating a psichosis of "scam" on all the old CNAC pilots in the first place. He had been using that expression for a few years now. Fletcher, Moon Chinn and others believed him without reservations.

I realized then that he had a hidden agenda to make his own display in Old Town "be" the only legitimate CNAC display in China.  That is personally offensive to me as a son of a CNAC pilot.


As days went by, I was fascinated by the images I had in my possession. Ge Shuya loaned me most of his pictures from the mountain.

This allowed me to do this.

However, I still got emails of doubts.

Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 12:08 PM
Subject: Re: 5 photos

I do not think is a Russian DC-3. I am going through my photo's in Russia and know I have pictures of the Russian version. When I find them I will forward.
 
Ron Sheardown
Subject: Re: 5 photos
Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:04:16 -0700
Ron- Could this be a Japanese DC-3? We would like to see a Picture of that also if you have one.   regards      CED

I wrote this email



I also exchanged several emails and pictures regarding the Russian idea.

Ron Sheardom sent a picture comparing the Douglas C47 to the plane in Pienma.

Many were unfamiliar with the fact that CNAC #53 was a Douglas C53 and not a C47. The coincidence that CNAC #53 is also a C53 confused many people.

I was lucky to find a picture to compare models.

February 25 I sent this email:

Hi All,

I found a diagram of C53 skytrooper to show side by side with Li2

Compared with pic in Pienma. You draw your own conclusions.


With these pictures:

 


In my mind that was the last nail.

Anyone doubting Pienma plane was fake had to have mean intention with all this evidence.

I felt a sense of victory when I received emails like these:
Dear Diego,
 
What you are great!!! You have done more works for #53 and Chinese people, I think our people and government could thank you but I don't know if they could do this.
 
Ge Shuya


 Diego- A job well done. Nothing more we can do from a distance. Keep up the good work. Success on your trip in May.   regards       CED

--------------------------------

 Hi Diego:

You have done an excellent job investigating the authenticity of the CNAC #53 display at Pianma.  Not only achieving creditable results, but you also done a remarkable job on the visual presentation of your analysis. Furthermore, you also have my respect for your sensitivity on recognizing the culture difference in pursuit of your goals. My hat-off to you.

.....

Congratulations on a job well done, which made many people very happy (A few may be disappointed). May be Ced will recommend you for a job in Edmonton, Canada.

Hope you are enjoying your stay in Kunming. When you go to Pianma again, don't miss the opportunity of a hot mud bath in Tengchong.

Tennyson Wang 
-------------------------------

From: fletcher@atlanticbb.net
To: diegokusak@hotmail.com
CC: geshuya@gmail.com
Subject: An apology
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:08:30 -0500

Diego and Shuya,

 

I wish to apologize to you for taking so long to come to the conclusion that most of the exhibit in the Nujiang Museum at Pianma is CNAC #53. We had to resort to Shuya’s photographs and Diego’s computer skills to convince me that more than 50 percent of the exhibit is CNAC #53.

 

By using the diagrams, developed by Diego, on the floor at several locations around the exhitbi, an experienced DC-3 pilot can identify each part and understand where it came from.

 

Now is the time to heal the wounds of conflict by making the exhibit a treasure of which all of us can be proud. It will be the only Hump memorial that contains a transport that flew the Hump. It is a true memorial for the 4,000 crewmen who died flying the Hump. In this transport, CNAC #53, Jim Fox, an American, was the captain and two Chinese were the crew, one the copilot and the other the radio operator. They flew together and died together. It demonstrates how the two countries were comrades in the war to defeat the Japanese invaders.


We had many more exchanges regarding authenticity, but deep down the matter was settled.

Following emails between me and Fletcher had to do with the need to get the wheel and the wing back to Pienma.

I visited the Hotel that holds a small museum with the wing and the wheel. They represent a group of people claiming to be have invested money in Fletcher's original trip to the mountain (not sure of this). They say they are owned $200,000 US dollars (or 2 million remimbies according to other sources).

Fletcher died March 16 2008. He died knowing most of the plane in the museum was the original airplane.

I wish I had a lot of money to put the plane together and help the people of Pienma with their museum.

I also wish i could do a proper CNAC museum somewhere in Yunnan. Certainly not in Shangri La....

It feels me with sadness how so many people are misusing The Hump, CNAC, AVG, or the Flying Tigers for commercial purposes or for personal gains. Specially, misuse them and distort the truth to fill their pockets.

I wish there was a foundation with many purposes. One of them to spread the uniqueness of CNAC, another to clarify to the Chinese who is who and why in the Flying Tiger true world.