I know we can't save them all...

[APG85]

It's already happening in the past couple years with at least 2 B-52's.

Yup, even some established museums are scaling down. The Museum of Aviation scrapped some of their aircraft I believe and had a "garage sale" with a few others...

[camshaw]

well the statue of liberty is short on funds too and there's plenty of copper just turning green!...-truly dazed and confused on this one!

[camshaw]

love how it says, and oh by the way the scrap is being offered for sale after being destroyed!....hmmmmm...........ok a display ww2 bird for sale as is and how it sits, maybe $25000?
ok, now scrapped and for sale as dirty mixed metals....$350 bucks..........hell I can't fill up my diesel pusher motorhomes gas tank for 350 bucks these days!..........just stupid, sorry-I need to leave this post!

[Richard W.]

"Currently, the scrap material from the demilitarization is being offered for sale."

Lol.

Very self-congratulatory. DLA is so smart they've figured out how to get money for that useless old airplane.

[k5083]

I wonder if it was offered to any other bases here? The type did fly out of Misawa & we already have an F-86 & F-4 in front of the headquarters building with room enough to add one more. We also have an air & science museum right off base that has quite a few planes displayed.

JASDF also operated the F6F & TBM. I believe that there is still a couple of each on display. It scares me to think that they would be given the same treatment if their display days were finished. I would think that the chances are fairly good that they would have been combat vets transferred to JASDF from bases here.

Mac

JASDF operated Hellcats? I knew about TBMs, but apart from one wartime captured plane I've never seen a Hellcat in Japanese markings. Would like to know more.

August

[Jim MacDonald]

August,

I screwed the pooch on that one. I could have sworn I saw a photo of TBMs & F6Fs used by JASDF as Hunter/Killer teams in the 50's in Thomas Dolls book on the TBM. I just checked the book & it turns out it was a photo of a line up of TBMs used as Hunter/Killers. I checked Maru Mechanics magazines on the TBM & F6F & again it only had TBMs as Hunter/Killers.

Hope I didn't start something that's going to end up starting rumors.

Mac

[Warbird Kid]

Got a response:

Dear Mr. Soltis:

I called you recently to let you know that the aircraft you expressed concerns about was described as only a hulk, gutted with frame and skin in bad shape—a ’52 year model that had been sitting outdoors for a number of years.

As you know, when there is a type/model of an aircraft (or vehicle, etc. ) in incomplete/ bad condition, has no known special provenance or place in history, is not unique and hundreds others of same type remain in prime condition, many many still operable -- then there is little call for preservation.

A curator once pointed out to me that even if time and talent and funds for restoration and preservation (and secure storage) were infinite -- he would eventually run out of acreage – so at times he simply had to refuse some types of artifacts even though they related directly to his museum’s mission.

Feel free to drop me a note or call if you wish to discuss the matter more. I am usually at the number below between 7:30 AM and 5 PM Eastern Time on weekdays.

[Mark Allen M]

Reasonable response.

[K5DH]

After reading the response that Chris received, I agree with much of it. However, I still feel that even though the artifact in question might be too far gone or too historically insignificant to save, it would be nice if the agency in charge would allow the artifact's usable parts to be made available to those who could use them, whether they are museums or private individuals. I doubt that this will ever happen, but I will continue to hope.

[pilot06]

My rant.........................................First things first. As a T-6 owner/restoring kinda guy/warbird nut, a Six ain't no B-52. To say that jackholes comments are reasonable is ridiculous. A guy in England single handedly restored a Six in a ONE car European garage.

To say that BS about corrosion is a copout. The darn thing was on it's gear and the wings are were still attached. If the "CORROSION" was so bad, why the hell didn't they fall off. Until you drill it apart your just guessing at how bad it is. I can't tell you have many time it's BETTER than you think, not worse.

Too many are taking for granted the few aircraft left. The Albratross in Italy and now this T-6 are red flags of the overall lack of giving a sugar.

Perhaps the term "sweat equity" doesn't mean anything to any of you. You don't buy a project(total rebuild) and expect to make ANY money on it. With certain exceptions being the top tier fighters and bombers.

Funny thing, that Six could have been shipped in a 45' HC container anywhere in the world all together.

In closing, WTF people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh one more thing, if that was a Mustang, I guarantee you the conversation would be a just a little louder.

[Warbird Kid]

My Response:

Hello Mr. ***************

Yes I received your message. Apologies, Ive been out of the country for awhile. I got back recently and have been planning to call or message you. I thank you for the info provided. While this AT-6 may have been built later (50's) and that it was a hulk, and that many other examples survive, I still find it a shame that we are scrapping warbirds such as this in this day and age. Was this not government owned? You stated that in your voicemail that the owner wanted it gone. Who was the owner? Was there even an effort to try and find this aircraft a new home? I assume one of the museums in Japan would have taken it. The Harada Collection (Kawaguchiko Car Museum) for one.

While it may have been stripped, I guarantee you that there were parts on this aircraft that would have been useful to other T6 restorations out there. Heck, we would have loved to have this airframe (as is) at our museum in Connecticut. Granted the shipping costs would set us back years but the statement your making that an AT-6 was not desirable enough to have been saved, is just crazy for me to see. I would love to see any close up shots of this plane (pre scrapping) if you have any.

Im the curator of the Connecticut Air & Space Center, where we have 12 aircraft in storage, on display, or in restoration. The majority are in need of restoration. It will take years, money, and manpower to restore these aircraft, but Id rather have a storage building full of potential projects than none. Thank you for the information.

His response:

Can't speak to interest in the aircraft from a museum.

Keep in mind that DLA Disposition Services does not direct the disposal of anything.

The owners of equipment (US military or entities the US military may have given equipment to) turn things over to us for disposal and have the ability to make the best possible reuse of the equipment before it comes to our hands. ...including arranging for a transfer or donation to a museum. In this case the entity responsible for the aircraft was the Japanese Self Defense Forces.

[Mark Allen M]

To say that jackholes comments are reasonable is ridiculous.

FWIW I agree with much of what you stated. But I have to ask what should he have said instead? What should he have done differently? What do you suggest next time this may happen somewhere? It's easy to say "save it", "give it to someone who will take care of it" but who's really going to go to all the fuss (and $$$$$) to save an airplane across the planet that they could purchase a better one closer to home etc. etc. etc. Saying it's a travesty and a crime is all it is ... just ranting with very few really listening, other than us enthusiasts. ... hence the "reasonable response", and I could have stated something like "great reply" or "spot on" but "reasonable response" is exactly what it was mean't to be. Not great, just reasonable under the conditions.

Without actually being there no one on this site really has much to say other than to judge some distant photos. (but I will admit the thing didn't look bad at all) Perhaps he's spot on in his assessment of the thing and that it really wasn't worth saving. Sure perhaps parts and pieces may have had some value, but who really knows if your not there is see them for yourselves. There's so many other airplanes out there as well in similar situations. Ya can't save them all as it's been stated, but you can certainly try if it's of importance and value to you. No problems there, but unfortunately not all people feel the same way as you/we do about old airplanes rotting away. Not everyone's on the same page as most of us here and many folks see an old airplane as just junk that needs to be trashed. Shame but that's life for you.

It's easy to talk about doing something to save these old airplanes, but usually another matter when it comes to actually doing something. If it's worth it, and that's the key words "worth it" than I'm all for making the effort to save these old airplanes, but sorry to say it's getting that time in life where one has to pick and choose a battle to fight simply because these old things are melting back into the ground faster than us 'enthusiasts' can save them. There's so many other airframes that need desperate attention and are really no better off than this particular one, just haven't been scrapped .... yet.

Perhaps take that anger out on something more reasonable and local to yourself? I don't know, just a thought?

No rant, just a rambling opinion that probably means little here.

BTW I'm well aware that my post is more than likely not popular or laced with BS, but for some, facts are facts. I read it here all the time the ambitions of folks and what they would do if someone gave them a warbird, but in reality many of us wouldn't have the faintest idea what to do with one if indeed it was given to us. More than likely it's demise would only continue in a new location. We all have grand ideas but when it really comes down to it how many here can afford to be given a warbird, where would you put it and how would you take care of it. etc. etc. All logical questions with few logical answers I would imagine. Perhaps I'm way wrong, but airplanes, no matter the type are very expensive to own regardless of their condition. I have owned two airplanes in my lifetime so far and both were quite frankly more than I was willing to handle.