Colorado Aviation Archaeology Program

2013 photos of old runway lights recovery.
Lights on display in Terminal Bldg

In 2006, we visited this site.
Contact Brian Richardson,
aviator_b@ msn.com for details of the next visit...
https://youtu.be/D0JZtB-hnJQ

Air Force U-2 forced to land at Cortez Airport, at night in 1959, with mechanical issues. And, 2nd photo, November, 2019.

Reservation required and FINAL revised date:
This is to notify you of the upcoming AvAr expedition scheduled for the weekend of July 20-21, 2019. Our mission is to relocate and survey the 1945 Murchison B-24, and 1951 Weaver Beech 18 Crash Sites. Both are [reportedly] situated within a couple of miles of each other, approximately 20 miles south of Casper, Wyoming.

Terrain features anticipated for both objectives include some rolling hills, but mostly open prairie with predominantly buffalo grass and sage vegetation. Maximum elevation shouldn't exceed 7,700 feet MSL. This is expected to be a minimal-to-moderate physical exertion event, based primarily on elevation and the fact that we will probably be able to drive to within a couple of miles of the suspected crash site(s).

An advance team will be arriving in the Casper area midday Friday (7/19), to coordinate with area representatives. Team members arriving throughout the day on Friday should check-out the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum, 3470 Jourgensen Ave., Casper, WY 82604, which is situated on the airport. When you enter, let them know that you are with AvAr. (Do try to take in as much of the museum as you can on Friday, since there may not be much time to do so on Saturday.)

There will be a Friday evening briefing at a popular venue for those that respond to this message and can attend. Otherwise, AvAr team members will rendezvous at the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum on Saturday morning at 6:30 am.

YOU MUST CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE WITH
Brian Richardson at
[email protected]

The 7th International Wreckchasing Symposium, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, CO, guest speakers and program are being announced on a new website.
Visit: www.wreckchasing-symposium.com

2016-symposium

Following the first successful gathering of enthusiasts in San Jose, California, in 2009, the North American Institute of Aviation Archaeology (NAIAA) hosted an international summit in Broomfield, Colorado, over the weekend of April 17-18, 2010. Twenty-five Canadian and U.S. members of the wreck-chasing and aviation archaeology community came together to discuss prevalent issues and consider standardization of protocols.

Organizations represented at the summit included: Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP); United States Forrest Service (USFS); Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS); Colorado Aviation Historical Society (CAHS); North American Institute of Aviation Archaeology (NAIAA); Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA); and The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR).

The 2010 Summit at Rocky Mtn Metro Airport, Broomfield, CO. Representatives attended from: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Ontario, Canada.