Warbird Information Exchange

Although these aircraft were used early in WW II, it's difficult to find any examples and the REGISTRY doesn't reflect any. There gotta be some on the bottom of Lake Michigan! I know Pensacola has a TBD, but other than the japanese using them for target practice (Torpedo 8 at Midway) What happened to the "Windicators) or "Ensign Eliminators"?

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tracers work both ways

One restored Vindicator at Pensacola recovered from Lake Michigan and two or three known TBD's under water. One off Florida, two in the Pacific.
We'd all love to have them up and out of the water, but the Navy claims ownership. Only way to see them is with a mask and an air tank!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

How long before the only way they'll be seen is with a microscope? And after that only with an active imagination?

Sorry to rant, but does anyone else find it ironic that NHC's Dr. Robert Neyland assisted in recovering the Rebel sub Hunley, a machine designed to exist underwater and having human remains onboard; yet he seems adamantly opposed to raising machines that were designed to fly and have no human remains aboard?

Is "ironic" even the correct term?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

I can easily think of several other terms, most of which get auto corrected... Sad to see them slowly rusting away.

Mike

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"So there I was, knee deep in a river I couldn't pronounce..."

Right on Dan!

Irony can be pretty ironic soemtimes.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

doug champlin threw the navy a bone with the location of a tbd devastator, but then in grand fashion when champlin bent over rover took over (the u.s. navy museum) & gave champlin a bone of their own..... they need to get a new historical perspective & ethic.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Tom, I can only hope that if there would be enough public outcry as to the absurb salvage stand that the US Navy has taken, things could change. Some of the stories we all have heard are beyond outrageous. I also realise that due to the extreme rarity of some of these aircraft and their restoration to flying status makes them an extreme financial comodity. Also, I would much rather see the Navy allow their salvage and placement in Museums than to slowly disolve on the bottom of some lake. Maybe, that is a torch we should all take up. Come up with a plan and attack the Navy from the "Bully" pulpit so to speak! Obviously, we don't have the financial wherewithal to fight them in Open Court. As I understand it, several of the aircraft at the bottom of Lake Michigan are not only rare but also combat veterans.
Greg Hawkins
Woodstock, Ga

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tracers work both ways

greg, eloquently made statement!!

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

It seems as though the Navy might be loosing its grasp. Hopefully up coming court rulings might set a new precedent. Here's hoping!

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Curtis,

Anyplace on the net I can look to see what court cases your talking about? Or, can you mention any specifics?

Thanks,

Mac