Warbird Information Exchange

Interesting stock footage they dug up for the report - note the brief shots of French Aeronavale Helldivers.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Another follow up article...

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/24/bn24plane144815/

I'm rooting for the NMNA. That plane is far too rare and would fill a significant gap in the Museum's collection with the return of the NASM's Helldiver to Washington.

I hope they are successful. You can never have enough Helldivers in the world!

Wouldn't that be terrible if the EPA or some federal agency decided that disturbing the airplane would destroy the environment and cause harm to an endangered amoeba living in the man-made Otay reservoir. That would be real irony and real unfortunate.

I think it belongs in san diego,the city which played such an important role in the battle for the pacific. The navy should let this one slide they probably get another chance to get a helldiver eventully.

I want to see it presented to the RAAF Museum as representitive of the A-25 Shrikes that we had few of!

Actually who cares who gets her provided she's saved and preserved.

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..defeat is never an option!

I'm not sure how many chances they will get to get their hands on a Helldiver. I think the most important place right now is Pensacola as everyone that flew one went through there at one time. Also not sure what San Diego would do with it.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Huh, well, we do have an Air & Space Museum and don't forget that large gray thing in our harbor, you know, the USS Midway.

Given the distict shortage of Helldivers has anyone ever determined the disposition or location of the SB2C-4 Helldiver that I discovered on Saipan Island in the Marianas ? Sure it was a corroded mess but certainly salvageable for a rebuild.

[img][img]http://i487.photobucket.com/albums/rr240/jdvoss/SB2C4.jpg[/img][/img]

Point taken, but I think it would be better suited displayed in the branch's national museum. Just my opinion

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

On the other hand, if the policy changed, several more might be worth salvaging and the Navy might be able to get their hands on some more in trade for the recovery company being able to sell a few to restorers. I mean after all, they're just rotting right now, and pulling it up and letting someone else deal with it isn't really hurting the Navy's bottom line, is it.
Novel concept, eh? Might even help recruiting !

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

I think the Navy has been doing a good job recently on raising aircraft, and getting them to other air museums around the U.S.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

I'm not sure what others you mean. AFAIK, there aren't any Helldivers in Lake Michigan. They were never used on the Sable or Wolverine.

SN

If there's incentive, there's more reason to look for salvageable wrecks...

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

I am not a fan of just letting people drag up wrecks, due to a few reasons, one being that I think that the Navy and Air Force need to be at the very least sure that there is not danger from weapons on the planes, and that it is not a grave. If it is a grave, then must be dealt with accordingly. I also think that the branches should know that the airframe is being recovered. I think that they both should have a policy that if you find an aircraft, and is not one that is needed for the national collections, that it could be sold off to a private party and restored to static or flyable condition. Many of the Civil War battle Fields have very similar rules in place. In this case, the aircraft is one of only a few left on the planet, and should be placed on display in the Naval Aviation Museum.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

I don't want to start an argument, but a few others and I have the remains of the only other AT-10 projects in the country. As there is only one (in the NMUSAF) that makes these projects extremely rare. So why dosen't the USAF or Navy or whomever lay claim to these. I don't think rarity has anything to do with it. It's simple economics............what will they be worth when restored.