Warbird Information Exchange

Tirpitz raid RN Hellcat wreckage found in northern Norway, site visited by relatives of the pilot that died in the crash.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-hampshire-46922010/ww2-wreckage-found-by-grandson-on-norwegian-mountainside

.

Not much is left. I wish the remaining pieces could be collected and given to Planes of Fame museum. Maybe one day they will have enough bits and pieces to put a Hellcat together to replace the one they lost.
I suppose this Hellcat will remains there as it’s a war grave.

I'm sure the Royal Navy would have an opinion about that.

I have a question about situations like this in general. Take any military crash site (airplane, ship, vehicle, train, whatever). If the all of the occupants' remains were recovered and given a proper burial, and all that remains is wreckage, is it still a war grave? I thought that designation indicated that the human remains had not been recovered. Not trying to be a wise guy or be disrespectful. I just don't know the answer.

_________________
Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

I am of the opinion (for what little it is worth) that when remains have been removed and properly buried or otherwise handled, the aircraft remains are simply bits and pieces of a machine. Those bits and pieces will not last long -- even the Titanic is slowly but surely rusting away, and will be mostly gone within the next century. For substantial aircraft remains, like these, if there is a way for them to have new life, whether in a diorama setting in a museum or as part of a rebuild (whether static or flying), why wouldn't that be an appropriate renewal of the life of a machine as well as a living memorial to the lost airman?
kevin

_________________
FOUND the elusive DT-built B-24! Woo-hoo!!!