The saga of The Magic Scrap, which TIGAR’s Ric Gillespie insists is part of Amelia Earhart’s aircraft, keeps getting “thinner,” so to speak. See the comprehensive update here: http://gardnerghost.blogspot.com/2020/03/is-2-2-v-1-piece-of-sydney-island-wreck.html

The bottom line is, at this point, NO ONE can positively assert the thickness of The Magic Scrap, with the exception of the Lehigh Testing Laboratorties report, since they are the only “experts” who have measured the thickness under controlled scientific conditions. The National Transportation Safety Board analysis of The Magic Scrap isn’t clear about whether it measured the thickness or just accepted TIGHAR’s measurement. What I find the most interesting about John Kada’s update linked above is where he demonstrates again, using Gillespie’s own words, how dismissive Gillespie is with anyone who disagrees with him:

“Forum Member:  Alas I have no micrometer at my disposal at the moment nor access to the piece and am therefore dependent upon the written reports of others in this regard.  Could you please direct me to a source(s) that describes and documents any of the many gauge measurements that were made (other than the NTSB report already mentioned), preferably one that includes a description of the tolerance levels involved.  Thank you.

Gillespie:  Okay.  Here’s a written report especially for you. I have a micrometer and I have access to the piece and I have measured it numerous times. It’s .032″.  You can choose not to believe me and wait for the LTL report which will include much more detail.”

Except … the Lehigh Testing Laboratorties report clearly states the thickness is 0.030 inches.

Numbers matter. At least, they do when you’re trying to be “scientific.” It will be interesting to see what, if anything, TIGHAR has to say about this latest blow to its claim that it has solved the Earhart mystery.

Wellington285, to clarify – The Magic Scrap was found amidst coconut fronds and other storm debris next to the former colonial “cooperative store” on the west end of the island, in the village area. The former US Coast Guard LORAN station (not radar) was on the far eastern tip of the island.