"Striken" Naval Aircraft

[VCS1]

Read the current article in Warbirds International about the "Pirate Lex" F3A Corsair ownership battle with the Navy and subsequent restoration by Ezell Aviation.

My question is about similar US Navy WW2 Aircraft. I am aware of the US Navy's position regarding wreck recoveries (piracy!) compared to US Air Force/USAAC. However if a particular Navy aircraft was rendered "Striken" on its aircraft history card, would it be eligible for recovery without penalty?

[ALOHADAVE]

I'd say NO. Stricken from active inventory from the reporting command, But not the NAVY inventory. All the planes on the bottom of Lake Michigan were Stricken.

[airnutz]

The Navy has relaxed a bit over the last few years, but at the height of their aggressive pursuit they were even going after aircraft that had been legally purchased thru DRMO sale...the Navy retrospectively said those were "improperly approved sales"...Huh? The Air Force had a few of those too, IIRC.

[VCS1]

Thank you for the responses. How might one determine if a particular BuNo is still listed on the Navy's Inventory. For the record the aircraft is not an exotic fighter, but just a trainer.

[Jim MacDonald]

VCS1,

There is not a list of BuNos in the Navy's inventory per se. They basically lay claim to any aircraft that has ever been in Navy use. It doesn't matter if it has been "Stricken", has crashed, is above water or under water, in one piece or a thousand pieces. They still claim it is the property of the Navy.

The Naval History and Heritage's link below should answer all of your questions. It's not very encouraging. However, things have improved somewhat in the last several years.

https://www.history.navy.mil/research/underwater-archaeology/policy-and-resource-management/sunken-military-craft-act.html

HTH,

Mac