Lakr Michigan

[cooper9411]

Yes the navy does prohibit recoveries, but, they can/will allow recoveries if it is for historical significance, or educational/training purposes. In either case if recovery is permitted the navy "owns" the aircraft and loans it on a permanent basis. The individuals wanting to salvage the aircraft are responsible for any/all recovery costs and for the restoration as well!

[Jeremy S]

Sounds like the work of a Navy Archaeologist.

Tight budget? Why not sell the wrecks to the private sector and let them recover them? That would actually earn the Navy money during these "tight fiscal times".

Nahh... easier to just let them slowly rot away on the lake bed. That way some archie can justify his job as protecting these sensitive historical wrecks.

[cooper9411]

The way I see it is the navy won't grant salvage to people because they (navy) want to be bullies and make everyone who wants to see naval aircraft go to their museum and see the collection they have amassed while eagerly accepting donations!

[Left Seat]

i thought that b17 went in hard nose down and no survivors?

Hmm...

Joe Baugher's website posts this:
"40-3089 (394th BS, 5th BG) lost Oct 2, 1942 due to mechanical trouble on routine flight of Bellows Field. All 9 crew killed. MACR 802 and 900."

"This plane is often listed as the plane lost at sea (431th BS, 11th BG) Oct 21, 1942, central Pacific, with the World War 1 ace Edward "Eddie" V. Rickenbacker being aboard. Rickenbacker and crew were rescued by Navy planes 24 days later. MACR 16348 was written after the war and does not list the serial number of the plane or give the date of loss."

MACR 802, Date: 421002, pilot: Birchard, Quentin R, plane: B-17D. s/n 40-3089, location: Diamond Head 80 MI S, HI. (last radio contact)
MACR 900, Date: 421002, pilot: Birchard, Quentin R, plane: B-17D. s/n 40-3089, location: Diamond Head 80 MI S, HI. (last radio contact).
http://www.accident-report.com/MACR/m1942.html

B-17D 40-3089 (squadron number 52/5B) was assigned to the 5th Bombardment Group, 23rd Bomb Squadron at Hickam Field and was a survivor of the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor.

This B-17 deserves a thread of its own.
Out of "The Lakr" and dumped into "The Ocean" here:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=53378

[Pogmusic]

Why does this topic get repeated every 2 months or so?

[Left Seat]

Why does this topic get repeated every 2 months or so?

...referring to (apparently) abandoned (military) aircraft and federal regulations regarding rights of removal, restoration, and legal ownership of those aircraft?