Warbird Information Exchange

Warbird Pilots, If you think the B'cats can't do anything efficiently, check this out! Claude Hendrickson imported and registered a Skyraider last summer from France. He inadvertently bypassed (through an innocent omission of paperwork) a step required in the importation of warbirds and military equipment. With the advice of a broker/expert, he removed the guns from the A/C and shipped them separately. Along with the required "Form 6" to satisfy AFT and Homeland Security. What he did not realize, was that a "Form 6" was apparently required for the aircraft itself, as well.The aircraft was flown into the country, (after a trans-Atlantic flight) thru Buffalo, NY, customs inspected then on to AL where it is based. It has been successfully registered and pronounced airworthy by the FAA and has been flying ever since. Until this past week. Last week Homeland Security has notified Claude that they intend to confiscate and destroy the aircraft because no Form 6 was filed and he obviously smuggled the aircraft into the county illegally. ???????!!!!! They didn't' just send him a letter advising him of an infraction.. .they showed up at his hangar intent on dismantling the a/c for the purpose of shipping it to LA to be scrapped. (while he was able to stop them from destroying the a/c, they did confiscate it an remove it to another hangar....I think ONLY because it was a bigger project to dismantle than they had anticipated) . Someone at Homeland Security is "convinced" that Claude was attempting to "pull one over on the government" and will not let this go until a "price is extracted" (by the way, as I understand it, no fee is required for filing a "form 6" so the only motive for bypassing the step ..... would be to import the a/c for a potentially subversive purpose....what would that be....an armed insurrection by an WW-2 era aircraft?) There are only a few of these aircraft left flying and it would be a shame to see one of the finest examples be destroyed by a bureaucrat with a bone in his teeth... But that's not even the real issue in my mind.....The government seizing property without due process (over a paperwork oversight... .I mean it's not as if this is done every day...or he lied about it being a warbird ...or ....or....) is hugely problematic. I think we should stand together to stop this nonsense. Please consider calling or writing your representatives about this nonsense. At least register concern with EAA WOA, and AOPA as they are paid to represent us...by us. If Homeland Security gets by with this kind of thing, you could be next... By the way Claude also has a P-51 a T-6 and THE SNJ that his father flew in flight training in the Navy at the beginning of his 30 career (retired CPT). He's a patriot. Let's rally!

Walt

Walter L. Fricke
AirBoss
Veterans Airlift Command

Just another example of the feared Right Wing Extremist! Sneaking in a warbird! Isn't Claude a redneck as well? What's next, tax tea parties?

What is a "form 6" and should I be worried about one? I bought my fuselage as a private sale in Texas with just a signed receipt of sale.