3. Gorgeous Betsy
Where: Australia’s Valentine Plains
1945 is the year.
Building cost: $5.42 million*
The Beautiful Betsy, a B-24 Liberator that cost $5.42 million to manufacture during World War II, disappeared on February 26, 1945, during a journey from Darwin, Australia, to Brisbane. The bomber was limited to short flights since it had sustained damage during previous combat operations.
Lovely Betsy in Valentine Plains, Australia. Wikimedia Commons/EEmmybeer1902/
The Australian government would get rid of it as soon as a replacement was available. Unfortunately, they took too long to act, and eight troops were killed in the Betsy crash. The cause of the crash was never determined for years until 1994, when the bodies were found by a park ranger. The discovery of the Betsy was first kept under wraps, but today the crash site is accessible to the public, with paths and signage pointing to the bomber’s wreckage.
zi ang