Lake Michigan F6F recovery and restoration thread

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:59 pm

Owen Miller wrote:

Rick,
I most emphatically disagree with you. Without question. the old NHC
prevented NNAM from recovering Lake Michigan aircraft or and other sub-
merged wrecks. Robert Neyland, Wendy Coble, and another woman whose
name escapes me held sway over recoveries. They were the archaeoligical
branch of NHC and they believed in "preserving them in place for future
generations". No amout of logical explanation could sway them and they
had the power.

For years warbirders on this board criticized NNAM for stopping others
from recovering wrecks, leaving the remaining ones on the bottom, and
"hoarding all those SBDs and F4Fs in Pensacola". Over the last several
years most of those "hoarded" planes are distributed around the country
for people to see. Now, in less that a year, three new birds have been
brought up: one for the D-Day Museum and two for the Pacific War Mus-
eum in Hawaii.

Since DeLoach took over he has addressed two out of three warbirder's
concerns. I think it's time to extend the olive branch and meet the man
halfway. I can't speak for the navy, but I would imagine if someone like
Paul Allen or someone of similar means and interest stepped forward the
navy would be happy to talk.

There are guys like Jack and Andy Taylor of Enterprise Rent-A-Car,
an LA oil man who financed the eBay C-47 purchase and restoration for
the D-Day Museum AND the recent SBD recovery, and a certain bank CEO
that have stepped up. Surely there are others.

What DeLoach and his team have done in a short amount of time is
HUGE!

Owen
Exactly right. When I did the recent articles on A&T and recovered Navy birds for Classic Wings, Bob Rasmussen made it clear he had been hamstrung some 10 years ago and in fact had to forgo any attempt to recover the Sparrow from the Macon. With the change in policy NMNA no longer have to sit on their hands. Trades are also back on the agenda, with a Wildcat headed to a private individual -so huge progress all around which should be loudly applauded.

Jack - any VF-38 photos?

Dave

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

DaveM2 wrote:

Owen
Exactly right. When I did the recent articles on A&T and recovered Navy birds for Classic Wings, Bob Rasmussen made it clear he had been hamstrung some 10 years ago and in fact had to forgo any attempt to recover the Sparrow from the Macon. With the change in policy NMNA no longer have to sit on their hands. Trades are also back on the agenda, with a Wildcat headed to a private individual -so huge progress all around which should be loudly applauded.

Jack - any VF-38 photos?

Dave

Fantastic news!!!!

Dave and/or Owen - some questions:

1) With the policy change, does that mean that the Sparrow might now be recovered from the U.S.S. Macon?

2) Regarding the "Wildcat headed to a private individual" - is this a new one or are you referring to the Wildcat that was given to A&T for recovery services and is now flying?

3) Any more info on the trades aspect? Does this mean we might see some potential flyers soon?

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:38 pm

warbird1 wrote:

DaveM2 wrote:

Owen
Exactly right. When I did the recent articles on A&T and recovered Navy birds for Classic Wings, Bob Rasmussen made it clear he had been hamstrung some 10 years ago and in fact had to forgo any attempt to recover the Sparrow from the Macon. With the change in policy NMNA no longer have to sit on their hands. Trades are also back on the agenda, with a Wildcat headed to a private individual -so huge progress all around which should be loudly applauded.

Jack - any VF-38 photos?

Dave

Fantastic news!!!!

Dave and/or Owen - some questions:

1) With the policy change, does that mean that the Sparrow might now be recovered from the U.S.S. Macon?

2) Regarding the "Wildcat headed to a private individual" - is this a new one or are you referring to the Wildcat that was given to A&T for recovery services and is now flying?

3) Any more info on the trades aspect? Does this mean we might see some potential flyers soon?

1. Highly unlikely - at that time assets were in the area to recover a then recent crash ( as was the case with the F3F off San Diego). The chance to combine recoveries and allay the huge costs has been lost.

2. New one, not related to the two given to A &T years ago which were later restored to fly

3. No further info

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Thanks Dave, exciting times we are now in!

shepsair · **Posted:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:13 pm

Dave - given my regards to Taras for you.

Had a look at the Hellcat earlier - still submerged!

Early start tomorrow and she'll be out the water at 10am.

Looking forward to it and well post some photos ASAP afterwards (at the airport back to the UK) though I am sure others will as well.

Going to be a fun day tomorrow - hopefully not too cold!

regards

MS

Shay · **Posted:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:37 pm

shepsair wrote:

Dave - given my regards to Taras for you.

Had a look at the Hellcat earlier - still submerged!

Early start tomorrow and she'll be out the water at 10am.

Looking forward to it and well post some photos ASAP afterwards (at the airport back to the UK) though I am sure others will as well.

Going to be a fun day tomorrow - hopefully not too cold!

regards

MS

Shay <--------------is getting his virtual bowl of popcorn!

Gonna be great.
____________
Semper Fortis

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:16 pm

shepsair wrote:

Dave - given my regards to Taras for you.

Had a look at the Hellcat earlier - still submerged!

Early start tomorrow and she'll be out the water at 10am.

Looking forward to it and well post some photos ASAP afterwards (at the airport back to the UK) though I am sure others will as well.

Going to be a fun day tomorrow - hopefully not too cold!

regards

MS

Thanks Mark- enjoy yourself and I won't mention what shade of green I am turning :shock:

Dave

Joe Scheil · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:47 am

Anyone on site? Pictures and info on the F6F as it heads for the surface.....?

Hopefully a NASM type restoration can preserve and document any VF-38 markings that may remain...

What is the Bu # on the plane?

Holedigger · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:52 am

My popcorn is getting cold...is she out of the lake yet? Pics? Very cool. Kudos for the Navy Brass and their revised policy!

Pogmusic · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:11 pm

Was that 10:30 AM or PM? Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific or Alaska time zones? Just kidding. Take as much time as you need and take care of that bird. BE CAREFUL.

Cheers!