jeff---I caught alot of grief over suggesting that 'maybe ' Rickenbackers B17 could have floated to Niku. The PBY was supposedly alot further to the SW than the B17, so I temporarily discounted it, PENDING results of the underwater expedition.
Woody----the strip appears to be side enough to cover 2 mateing edges of wingskins. it isnt bent in a contour like it might be formed around a leading edge, but pretty straight. The rivit holes are longitudenal with the strip length, and it was about 20-24 inches as I recall. What I dont know is, how wide was the red paint on the wing, on both the top surface and the bottom surface? 2 feet may be about right. Now----the paint line near the cowling is extended, and the strip could match that area, either on top, or perhaps on the bottom.
tom