Jaluit Atoll TBD Devastators

[Taras]

Yes, sort of, on the Lake Michigan question. The outgoing Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) wrote a letter saying that they, NHHC, are not intending to approve any Lake Michigan recoveries at this time.

I believe that any new Director will have to reverse that really soon.

Taras
Taras Lyssenko

[Mark Allen M]

The outgoing Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) wrote a letter saying that they, NHHC, are not intending to approve any Lake Michigan recoveries at this time.

Just curious, why is that?

[airnutz]

the navy has access to any aircraft they want, find out how many remaining mothballed copters are in storage and swap the islanders for what wreck the museum wants... heck maybe even one of the surplus HUEYs sitting around....

IIRC, that option is no longer on the table due to the questionable partners in the "three P-3's for a Buffalo" deal years ago. Tho, he who maketh the rules, can maketh what they want if the ducks all nod in unison.

[old iron]

Taras wrote:

The outgoing Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) wrote a letter saying that they, NHHC, are not intending to approve any Lake Michigan recoveries at this time.


Just curious, why is that?

Zebra mussel lobby

[Taras]

See the latest edition of Classic Wings.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=54011

Taras
Taras Lyssenko

[dweller]

The other thing that's different about the Marshalls than here: reef, lagoon, and seafloor can be privately owned there. Are the planes in the lagoon? Find out who the owner of that chunk of lagoon is and talk to them directly...

[marine air]

How would David Tallichet have done it? Let's see, buy a boat from the islands Governor at some riculously inflated price. Thank him effusively for your fine purchase. While towing it home , have it catch fire and sink while moored overnight. Then of course, to save face he would have to allow you to salvage your now sunken crappy boat. Do this, and leave the area as soon as possible without returning to shore, or any port in the Marshall Islands. GOT IT?
One last detail, the boat just happened to sink precisely over the site of the VIndicators. The salvors mistakenly retrieve what they thought to be a boat and get the heck out of there.

[marine air]

One last question. If the U.S. Navy still owns all assets regardless of how long they've been on the bottom, why can't the U.S. Navy go retrieve their assets? Or is that only applicable to their assets in U.S. waters? I understand the Marshall Islands claiming the Imperial Japanese Navy and Army assets as that govt. no longer exists and had a new constitution written, etc. What's the difference between these aircraft and those on the bottom of Lake Michigan?

[Steve Nelson]

Aside from the Navy still claiming ownership over anything in US or International Waters, the Jaluit Atoll TBDs are located in the territory of a sovereign nation, which can do with them as it pleases. As much as we'd all like to see them come home, the local government probably figures that they can make more money off tourists coming to see such relics than a one-time sale. As for snatching them via some sort of covert op, I would think that the WIX crowd would have a bit more respect for national sovereignty (or does that only apply to us?)

SN

[Versatile]

That letter is a great starting point. SUggest looking at the top 4 or 5 industries on that island or chain of islands. Start making contacts with the big shipping industry or whomever is their number one source of income. Dutch? Okay next contact their embassy and find a contact person. The big industries will have the most control over the local and national government. YOu guys just need a waiver to that law and someone has to be "incentivised" The U. S. may not even be in the top ten nations they trade with. Suggest using the leverage of whomever has the most financial and political clout in the country.

100 no's to get one yes. Turn those Lemons into Lemonade. You are getting some good advice from some posters.
Good luck.

[Nathan]

I think it would be easier to build reproduction TBD's.

[Mark Allen M]

If anyone is really interested in retrieving some old Navy planes, try going after some of the USS Makin Island's VC-84 air wing aircraft from late 1945 off of the Philippines.





As for the real reason(s) behind why the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) folks aren't interested in retrieving anymore Lake Michigan planes? I've heard enough explanations and speculation from all directions to become uninterested any longer. Shame to see them waste away beyond recovery.