Should we salvage or take keepsakes from crash sites?

[wendovertom]

P51 - I have heard that statement about having "no one around to complain" before to.

I am on the fence on this topic. I can see the justification for leaving it there if the crew, or crew members, perished in the crash. But I can also see recovering what can be recovered. When I saw the B-17 wreckage that started this all, I saw the ball turret components and immediately thought, "Those would make a great basis for a reconstruction of a ball turret display for the museum!" And again, on this forum - what about the P-51 engine and wings that were pulled from the German bog recently when "Dallas Lady" was recovered? it would be a shame to see them scrapped.

Tom P.

[bdk]

What does it matter if someone died in the crash? There is a T-6 wreck for sale on eBay in which the pilot was killed. Should nobody buy it then?

[wendovertom]

bdk - have you never heard of Ch'iindi (ghosts) ?? I was more thinking of a situation where it could be classified as a war grave.

Tom P.

[TROJANII]

P51 - I have heard that statement about having "no one around to complain" before to.

I am on the fence on this topic. I can see the justification for leaving it there if the crew, or crew members, perished in the crash. But I can also see recovering what can be recovered. When I saw the B-17 wreckage that started this all, I saw the ball turret components and immediately thought, "Those would make a great basis for a reconstruction of a ball turret display for the museum!" And again, on this forum - what about the P-51 engine and wings that were pulled from the German bog recently when "Dallas Lady" was recovered? it would be a shame to see them scrapped.

Tom P.

On ships I can see not pillaging the wrecking since there are remains there (I am OK with on the Hood taking the bell for a memorial), but on aircraft wreckage I would assume the remains of the crew have been recovered. If not, what about cars where someone died but the vehicle is fixable, or a home where someone died, or even a piece of road where someone died?

If the remains have been recovered, I would think that would eliminate the question. Now the questions would be should we not take trinkits to save the site for future generations? Another point would be how much longer would the aircraft remains last where they are? I would be for recovery for display in a museum.

[bdk]

bdk - have you never heard of Ch'iindi (ghosts) ?? I was more thinking of a situation where it could be classified as a war grave.

Tom P.

I'm not one to believe in ghosts. It seems to me that dead is dead, and the manner in which someone died is immaterial. If I came upon a wreck with obvious remains, I know I would be reluctant to disturb the remains and i would certainly notify the authorities so that they could be recovered, or at least the family notified. I've never had the experience, so I'm not sure how creeped out I might be upon discovering remains.

[bombadier29]

I went back and read that. You made some good points there.
My late uncle was an archeologist and geologist for the state of Florida for many years and he once said that the only difference between archeology and grave robbing was if there were any relatives around to complain.

You are about the only person that thought my points were good...

*Post edited by WIXMOD_Baker. Don't make personal attacks, or you'll have another holiday*

[muddyboots]

Recent court judgements and Congress tend to agree. Native Americans are demanding, and getting, the remains of their ancestors back one at a time, the new fashioned way, by suing under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.