Warbird Information Exchange

Is there a legitimate chance we will see any more recoveries from Lake Michigan? It been almost a year since the last plane was recovered. I know its very expensive to recover a plane. If I had money to burn I would most certainly bring one up. The window for recoveries is closing fast.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Does anyone know approx what's left down there?

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

And I'm sure the U.S. Navy would greatly appreciate YOUR generous financial support funding the recovery of another one of THEIR airplanes.

(yeah, I know, they deserve to be saved, but I wish they Navy would let them be saved by warbird people!)

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

It maybe better said it's "our" Navy and they work for us so that makes it "our" plane. The first place I'd start is the local Congressman to get his/her support to get the plane. Then thru the DoD. Once approved, then go from there with the necessary paperwork/permits, etc. Not saying it's a guaranteed thing, but that is how I'd approach it.

This is all settled "law" now. Talking to your congressperson is pointless. Do a search on the WIX, there are plenty of threads on this subject.

Hi Pat,

A SBD was slated for recovery before the FM-2 was lifted instead last year.

I know we had 4/5 recoveries in four years after the 18 years of no recoveries.

I think there is a back log of restorations at the museum. The F6F is finished but they still have two SBD's, The F4U and the SB2C to restore. Believe the FM-2 is being restored elsewhere. I would guess there is little point recovering an airframe if it cannot be worked on for a few years.

regards

MS

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'Coups De Foudre'
(511FS, 405FG watering hole), St Dizier, France 1944/45

I would think it would be better to have them up and on dry ground rather than on the bottom deteriorating.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Does anyone have a ballpark figure for what a recovery costs?

Isn't there a German WWI U-Boat at the bottom of Lake Michigan as well?

Yes there is. It was discovered by A & T Recovery in 1992 www.scubachicago.com/yes-a-sub.htm

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

The latest Wildcat is being restored by the Air Zoo. I don't know if that's where it will be displayed after restoration is complete or not. I know there was talk of it going to Glenview for a proposed museum or display at one point.

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Matt

Dan, this has been talked about here on the WIX before. There are many Wilcats, Avengers, SBD's and a few other types waiting to be brought to the surface.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

This is what the NHHC admits to (of course, one needs to subtract those already retrieved):

...Through ship’s logs and Aircraft Accident Cards we know that of the aircraft listed as lost were 41 TBM/TBF Avengers, one F4U Corsair, 38 SBD Dauntless, four F6F Hellcats, 17 SNJ Texans, two SB2U Vindicators, 37 FM/F4F Wildcats and three experimental drones known as TDNs...

http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org12-6i.htm#10

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

It's never pointless if you have the deep pockets and are patient.

Plenty more left to bring up. And there is a certain TBD in the
Pacific. Anyone with deep pockets, I'll hook you up.

The Wildcat is indeed slated for a museum at Glen View.

The sub is a WWI U-boat (U-97) and Taras wants that one badly.

NNAM has a LOT on their plate right now. Everything mentioned
above is accurate. Plus they have a PB4Y to finish, disassemble,
bring into the main museum, and reassemble. They are years
behind, nut making steady progress. Oh yeah, the Pirate is in
for some light repairs. There is a F11F nose in there and the Blues
are cutting off high time Hornets to make cockpit sims for kids,

The last Hellcat is marked as Jack Taylor's F6F. Dedication day
is 6DEC. Wouldn't miss that.