Warbirds recovered/restored/preserved by "Wreck Chasers

[RyanShort1]

Folks, here is a quick, PARTIAL list of rare aircraft that most likely would still be rotting today if not for "evil" wreck chasers:

Douglas World Cruiser Seattle crashed Port Moller Alaska recovered in 1966
Douglas O-38F crashed Alaska recovered in 1968
4 Martin B-26s crashed Canada recovered in mid 70s
B-17E 41-9032 "My Gal Sal" crashed Greenland recovered late 90s
P-39N 42-4949 crashed Fort Nelson BC recovered in 1971
Boulton Paul Defiant N3378 recovered in the 70s
4 Polikarpov I-16 crashed in Russia recovered in the early 90s
Mig-3 3457 crashed in Russia recovered in 2002
3 Polikarpov I-153 crashed in Russia recovered in the early 90s
P-40C AK295 crashed in Russia recovered in the early 90s
P-40C AK255 crashed in Russia recovered in the early 90s
Boeing 40C crashed Canyon Mountains Oregon recovered in mid 90s
P-40B crashed Hawaii recovered in 1985
Bf-109E Wk#1342 crashed France recovered in 1988
4 Ki-43 crashed Kuril Island recovered in late 80s
P-40E 41-5709 crashed Cold Bay Alaska recovered in 1984
P-40N 43-23007 crashed in Russia recovered late 80s
A6M2 AI129 crashed Russell Island recovered late 60s
Skua II L2896 crashed Norway recovered 2008
Sea Hurricane MkIIb N68RW crashed Gander NB recovered in the early 70s
Beech D17s c/n 357 crashed Dingo Australia recovered in 2007
FW190 A-3 Wr# 2219 crashed Norway recovered mid 70s
Ju88 G-2 Wk# 714628 crashed Lake Balaton Hungary recovered in 1996
HP Halifax W1048 crashed Lake Hoklinger Norway recovered in 1973
HP Halifax NA337 crashed Lake Mjosa Norway recovered in 1995
Wellington N2980 crashed Loch Ness Scotland recovered in 1985
Hampden P5436 crashed Patrica Bay BC recovered in the 80s
Hampden AN136 crashed Mt. Tuam Canada recovered in the early 80s
Hampden N132 crashed Uclueler Canada recovered in early 80s
B-17G 44-83790 crashed Lake Dykes Canada recovered in 2004
Heinkel HE111 Wk# 2320 crashed Lake Jonsvatnet Norway recovered 2006
Junker Ju88 Wk#088119 crashed Lake Jonsvatnet Norway recovered 2006
Junker Ju88 Wk# 6146 crashed Kilsfjiord Norway recovered in 2000
FW190 Wk#5425 crashed Norway recovered in 2007
Bf109G Wk# 411968 crashed Murmansk Russia recovered in 1999
Bf109G Wk#13916 crashed in Russia recovered in 1999

Let's compile a list of more aircraft...

Ryan

[Airlift48]

Mid Atlantic's P-61....

[k5083]

Now let's compile a list of how many of those aircraft, if I were a sixth-grade teacher, I could book my class to go and see next Wednesday afternoon. That would be a good report card on how well those wreck chasers have done at preserving and educating people about their aviation heritage.

August

[k5083]

P.S. You've listed quite a few aircraft there that were recovered by, on behalf of, or with the active participation of "evil" governments.

August

[RyanShort1]

August,

Over 90% of those are either on public display or you can obtain permission to view the rebuild.

Here are a few more:

Brewster 239 crashed Lake Kolejarvi Russia recovered late 90s
Junkers Ju52 Wk# 4607 crashed Leros Greece recovered in 2003
Pe-2 S/n 2/225 crashed Lake Koshkajavr Russia recovered in 1996
Fokker C.IVA crashed Tacoma Washington recovered late 70s
Grumman TBM-3E Bu# 53914 crashed Township 42 Maine recovered in 1991
Grumman F6F-5 Bu# 70185 crashed Martha' s Vineyard recovered in 1993

Ryan

[ww2John]

Seond the motion to match this list with the current location for a/c we can actually view, a/c that have been restored, etc.
Not to be picky, but I believe only three Martin B26 Marauders were recovered from their forced landing site in Canada (a.k.a. "Million Dollar Valley"):
40-1459 - currently at MAPS (North Canton, OH) being restored (to flight??)
40-1464 - currently at FoF (Polk City, FL) maintained flight-worthy (but not currently flown)
40-1501 - currently at PIMA A&S (Tucson, AZ) being restored to static display
A fourth B26 40-1370 was recovered from Alaska (in 2000??) for the Hill AFB Museum (Provo, UT). Not sure if its restoration to static display is completed yet.
Hope this information is helpful.

[Jerry O'Neill]

NEAM's 2 Sikorsky S-39's
OS2U on the North Carolina
Lex's Brewster Corsair
NEAM's Fokker Universal (now in Canada I believe)
Quonset Museum's TBM Avenger
P-38 on Display in Alaska

That's about all I can think of off the topof my head.
I'll try to think of some more. (there are lots!)
Jerry

[RyanShort1]

Here in San Antonio you can visit the Texas Air Museum with their FW-190 (wk. number?) and a number of other historical aircraft. There are a number of military aircraft on static display, but since 9/11 you can't visit most of them under normal circumstances without a lot of hassle.
A good example of a private collector is Rod Lewis. I know that he regularly takes his aircraft to airshows and from talking to his guys, I'm absolutely confident that they are actively looking for a good place to put them where the public can view. Museums aren't easy to build or to just "find." Glacier Girl is another good example of a private restoration.

Ryan

[HELLDIVERS]

A25-A 75552 Lake Washington
A25-A 76805 Lake Washington
SB2C-1 unknown Lake Washington
A25-A 75815 Black Rock Canyon
A25-A Black Rock Canyon
A25-A 75448 Barbers Point Hawaii

[Matt Gunsch]

Seond the motion to match this list with the current location for a/c we can actually view, a/c that have been restored, etc.
Not to be picky, but I believe only three Martin B26 Marauders were recovered from their forced landing site in Canada (a.k.a. "Million Dollar Valley"):
40-1459 - currently at MAPS (North Canton, OH) being restored (to flight??)
40-1464 - currently at FoF (Polk City, FL) maintained flight-worthy (but not currently flown)
40-1501 - currently at PIMA A&S (Tucson, AZ) being restored to static display
A fourth B26 40-1370 was recovered from Alaska (in 2000??) for the Hill AFB Museum (Provo, UT). Not sure if its restoration to static display is completed yet.
Hope this information is helpful.

interesting web site with Million Dollar Valley Marauders
http://www.explorenorth.com/library/avi ... alley.html

[A2C]

August Wrote:

P.S. You've listed quite a few aircraft there that were recovered by, on behalf of, or with the active participation of "evil" governments.

It looks like you're trying to suggest the idea that only government sponsored agencies can accept a recovered warbird. How many government agencies fly these in the USA? The government is good at fowling things up, look at social security-bankrupt.

[PinecastleAAF]

What I find interesting is that as soon as old military aircraft stated to become worth real money the state of Alaska stepped in and made it illegal to recover wrecks on the basis of their 'historical significance'.

Yeah right. All this discussion of the Feds and wreck czars is fine and dandy but if any state can pass any law they want it is pretty much a moot point, the NHC not withstanding.

It is the same old story......follow the money.

[engguy]

What I find interesting is that as soon as old military aircraft stated to become worth real money the state of Alaska stepped in and made it illegal to recover wrecks on the basis of their 'historical significance'.

Yeah right. All this discussion of the Feds and wreck czars is fine and dandy but if any state can pass any law they want it is pretty much a moot point, the NHC not withstanding.

It is the same old story......follow the money.

Hmmm does the governor know about that?
I bet she doesn't.
Anyone that would do that sort of thing does not know much. Why?
Because what historical significance will it be when it all turns to dust from corrosion?
What I think is goofy, is if these war birds are so costly, how come no one has started a company to reproduce them? And like anything else to skirt by any liability and other goofy laws. Sell them as do it your self assembly kits.

[RyanShort1]

Back on topic please?

Ryan

[helinut]

The Atlantic Canada Aviatin Museum has recovered a few, Grumman Avenger )53607-N8398H , CF-ZYC crashed 1975 recoverd 1994 on display, and Consoladated PBY-5A05021 CF-HFL crashed 1957 recovered 1986 also recovered center section and wing of Sea Hurricane BW 854 in 1980,later sold to Matt Sattler of Ottawa. and fuselage of Harvard MK2, 1991. later traded to Vince O,conner of Uxbridge, Ont, for Avenger parts.