The story thus far... Around 10:30am March 3rd 1942, Carnot Bay, approx 80 km north of Broome in Western Australia. A militarised Dutch DC3 airliner "Pelikaan," is escaping the ruin of the Netherlands Indies, but is bounced by three Zekes that are returning from a devastating air-raid on Broome. The airliner's pilot, a decorated WW1 fighter ace, brings the drab-painted DC3 under control into the surf before the astonished Zeke pilots can make a quick kill. Which is where "Pelikaan" stayed for rest of the war... spawning as it did so the extraordinary tale of the "Diamond Dakota." The passengers exited the foundering DC3's cabin between the strafing runs. The pilot, Ivan Smirnoff had his passengers use what shelter the Pelikaan's settling fuselage provided- until the Zeke pilots finally left them alone. By now, another man was seriously injured besides those injured during the dogfight, the mother and baby and a serviceman. After seeing that some necessary first aid was administered on the beach, Ivan took stock of their plight. They were marooned with several hospital cases on the edge of a desert with very little water or rations. They retreated to the sand hills with parachutes for cover. The radio operator began to cajole the DC3's salvaged radio back into life. Ivan also sent someone back to retrieve the mail, various bits and pieces... oh and also that funny little parcel he'd been given back in Java. No doubt someone was expecting that. But as the man staggered back through the surf he fumbled his load... and dropped the little box. AAAAGH! Nobody had any inkling it contained a few hundred thousand British Pounds worth of diamonds... Besides, they had more pressing concerns. They settled in to wait for the radio to summon a rescue team, and doing what they could for the dying. Mrs van Tuyn and one of the Dutch servicemen (Lt Hendriks) died overnight. The following day, March 4th, the survivors were roused from the morning's heat by the sound of engines... The first evidence that maybe the radio was indeed working! Those mobile enough raced down onto the beach waving frantically. Thankfully, the aircraft turned and descended. But, gee, it was such a large aircraft... And it was a flying boat... They stopped waving... To be continued. Rendered in Poser 8 under a skydome using Neiwil's DC3 (available elsewhere) Motokamishi's Reisen (I couldn't attach the Rendo credit- maybe because he is about to issue a new version?) the water is a "terrain" mesh exported from Bryce- with a custom shader applied to produce sea foam. plus various low-res DAZ figures and clothing... Thanks for viewing and comments...