Sasnak wrote
Quote:
Even better yet, they can restore both TBD's to perfect condition, keep one for themselves, and trade the NASM for the SB2C Helldiver, thus completing the WWII dive-bombers in the national collection (Pensacola)
NASM is planning to restore the Helldiver in the marking sof past-Director Don Engen. They would not be looking to trade it for something else, particularly an airplane that had to be totally rebuilt after 60 years of submersion in marine water.
As to TIGHAR's recovery, getting the TBD out of the water is the easy part. Nothing is said about what would then become of it. Who would restore it, where would it be displayed. A few days of exposure to atmospheric oxygen while deciding what to do next would do more damage to the airframe than 60 years of saltwater immersion. They are better off leaving it there than doing a bad job of the post-recovery.
Having kept up with TIGHAR since their "Midnight Ghost" project in Maine, the group has a jump-to-conclusions ethic that makes the creationists and conspiracy theorists seem respectable. Aircraft recovery should be left to professionals who have learned from much experience and more than a few mistakes. My guess is that TIGHAR will make all those mistakes at once, and then not even benefit from them.
As to having TIGHAR recover both airplanes while they are at it, let us see one get recovered successfully before they tackle the other.
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