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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Lake Michigan

Thu Oct 10, 2019 12:45 pm

Are there any active plans to raise more birds from the lake bottom?

Re: Lake Michigan

Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:44 am

Is there a rough inventory of what is still down there?

Re: Lake Michigan

Sun Oct 13, 2019 12:16 pm

Col. Rohr wrote:
michaelharadon wrote:Are there any active plans to raise more birds from the lake bottom?


The simple answer is no the US Navy isn't salvaging any more aircraft.

So, the next question is, are there any non-U.S. Navy groups planning on raising any more birds from the lake?

Re: Lake Michigan

Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:20 pm

Col. Rohr wrote:No, because the Navy still owns the aircraft and has already stated that no one can recover them no matter what the So-Called meeting that they had a few months back that neither myself nor Mike Rawson was invited to.

Thanks for the info, Col.! I was under the impression that the Navy had opened up recoveries to outside entities subject to Naval approval and some kind of "agreement" or contract between them. I didn't know that the Navy still would retain title.

Well, with that being the case, that so-called, "change in recovery policy" a while back is completely worthless!

Re: Lake Michigan

Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:54 pm

Col. Rohr wrote:
OD/NG wrote:
Col. Rohr wrote:No, because the Navy still owns the aircraft and has already stated that no one can recover them no matter what the So-Called meeting that they had a few months back that neither myself nor Mike Rawson was invited to.

Thanks for the info, Col.! I was under the impression that the Navy had opened up recoveries to outside entities subject to Naval approval and some kind of "agreement" or contract between them. I didn't know that the Navy still would retain title.

Well, with that being the case, that so-called, "change in recovery policy" a while back is completely worthless!


Needless to say, I and NHHC had a few choice words about the So-Called meeting and the fact what they stated and what really actually was said are two completely different things. They especially didn't like the fact that I pointed out to them that if there was ever going to be a meeting that both Mike and I were to have received both emails and phone calls. And when they try to state that there was no truth to that I sent them copies of emails I had between Buddy and myself and later Buddy sent me an apology over the fact neither of us was invited. I also called them out over the fact only certain Warbird Owners were invited to the meeting and that it wasn't held at the Navy Yard in Washington DC where the original meeting was going to take place. Basically a lot of Smoke and Mirrors

That's a shame. The Navy has a real chance to work with the private sector to recover history that they wouldn't be able to afford or want, but to also deal in "horse-trading" to fill in important gaps in their collections.

That's really too bad. I had high hopes that things were going to change for the better.

My one last great hope is to see a TBD at Pensacola before I die. I don't think that is going to happen.

Re: Lake Michigan

Sun Oct 13, 2019 11:51 pm

Rob, you know the Navy and D of D changed the policy and they can sell any of the obsolete antiquities if they want. I would like to buy a Wildcat or Dauntless project.
My latest thought on the matter is that the supply of viable fighter projects is drying up. After the Connie Edwards aircraft all get restored, sold and consumed , there aren’t too many excellent projects only very difficult, most expensive projects. Hawker Tempests, a few Mosquitoes, and partial wrecks etc. Soon in a few years it will make sense for someone to buy five, ten or twent of these Lake Michigan birds “ as is, where is.” That’s the best deal for the Navy. They release the claim of ownership and paperwork . Now someone owns ten on the lake bottom. Then they ate offered for sale where they sit or brought up on land.
One question is could these aircraft be restored to airworthy or are they too far gone. They won’t bring very much if they’re unrestorable.

Re: Lake Michigan

Mon Oct 14, 2019 7:15 pm

Good info Rob. I wonder if there’s a list where they have a priority number. In other words, the early combat veterans, then the ones easiest to bring up, then those that are in the best condition to be a restoration candidate,
For me, my interest lie in potential airworthiness and combat history. After that, ease of retrieval. I’d hate to spend a fortune for a zebra mussel , severely damaged FM-2 that never left the states and find out later that an F4F or Dauntless was left behind that some heroes flew in combat.
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