MIA WWII P-38 Lightning Pilot Coming Home

[camshaw]

scrapped? are they that strapped for 5k in aluminum! if that! nuts!!!

[Jack Cook]

Yes they are. Remember it's Guadalcanal not Palm Springs!

[camshaw]

has anybody stepped up and made the man in legal charge an offer on all the parts and pieces? who's in control of the reck and or has possession jack?

[Jack Cook]

I'm not at liberrty to say..................

[DoraNineFan]

That's up in the air.
There's people there who want to preserve it and others there who want it scrapped for the cash.

Jeeeez!!! And I thought nonsense like this would only happen in India/Asia like the two Oscars that were just scrapped.

Hopefully a museum or collector with the means will get something going through channels immediately before this P-38 ends up as soda cans.

[davidwomacks]

That's up in the air.
There's people there who want to preserve it and others there who want it scrapped for the cash.

Tell them I'll give them 10K for it! A restored P-38 is for sale now at $7 million I'd think a wreck in this condition would be worth over a million!

[davidwomacks]

That's up in the air.
There's people there who want to preserve it and others there who want it scrapped for the cash.

Jeeeez!!! And I thought nonsense like this would only happen in India/Asia like the two Oscars that were just scrapped.

Hopefully a museum or collector with the means will get something going through channels immediately before this P-38 ends up as soda cans.

Who Scrapped Oscars? Are these people that uninformed! I mean I know these places are 3rd world but even they have the internet and can look up what a warbird sells for even as a wreck!

[Chris Brame]

Jack, is there any chance the NMUSAF could get involved here? A combat veteran P-38 would be a major prize for the collection (plus free up 44-53232 for some other museum).

[Warbirdnerd]

That's up in the air.
There's people there who want to preserve it and others there who want it scrapped for the cash.

Jeeeez!!! And I thought nonsense like this would only happen in India/Asia like the two Oscars that were just scrapped.

Hopefully a museum or collector with the means will get something going through channels immediately before this P-38 ends up as soda cans.

Who Scrapped Oscars? Are these people that uninformed! I mean I know these places are 3rd world but even they have the internet and can look up what a warbird sells for even as a wreck!

Info on the Oscars here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=54256&hilit=oscar

[Hemiman]

What some are missing is that plane was the tomb for Major Mathis. For the plane to be brought home, restored in its markings and placed in a museum to honor Major Mathis would be fine with me, but to have someone restore for flight and profit I feel would be wrong.

[wendovertom]

wow - congrats for the hard work Jack. I am amazed at the level of preservation of the aircraft as well. I would think it should come home - part of me says to fly (airplanes were meant to fly) and part of me says static to honor the Major.

Tom P.

[davidwomacks]

What some are missing is that plane was the tomb for Major Mathis. For the plane to be brought home, restored in its markings and placed in a museum to honor Major Mathis would be fine with me, but to have someone restore for flight and profit I feel would be wrong.

As a pilot I can say if I ever die in a crash and someone recovers my plane that I would smile down on them as I watched it take to the air again to me there would be no better tribute!

[AURktman]

What some are missing is that plane was the tomb for Major Mathis. For the plane to be brought home, restored in its markings and placed in a museum to honor Major Mathis would be fine with me, but to have someone restore for flight and profit I feel would be wrong.

As a pilot I can say if I ever die in a crash and someone recovers my plane that I would smile down on them as I watched it take to the air again to me there would be no better tribute!

Ditto!

[Robbie Stuart]

Too bad Jack pulled the thread, I guess someone must have been way out of line & really ticked him off. I have known Jack for a long time, takes a lot to peehim off, but it looks like someone succeeded.
Thanks for the effort Jack,outstanding story, hope everything works out for the MIA, & family.
Robbie

Last edited by Robbie Stuart on Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:06 am, edited 1 time in total.

[DH82EH]

Thanks Jack.

Sorry that some people have to be such A-holes.

I have learned multitudes from your generosity, with photos and knowledge you have shared here.

I've always enjoyed your postings and hope that a few idiots are not capable of ruining this place for so many who care.

Respectfully.

Andy