Whofan Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 I saw this in today's Guardian, it may interest others here; https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/12/ww2-wreck-of-fighter-plane-off-welsh-coast-gets-protected-status 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 I remember reading about this wreck. My personal opinion is that they should try to recover this P-38 and display it in a museum in its current condition, as the elements will surely destroy it over time. The IWM, Air Force Museum, and National Museum of Naval Aviation have done this with several of the wrecks that they have recovered over the years. Perhaps a museum/ display dedicated to all of the aircrew/aircraft who lie in Wales? Mike 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whofan Posted November 12, 2019 Author Share Posted November 12, 2019 45 minutes ago, 72modeler said: I remember reading about this wreck. My personal opinion is that they should try to recover this P-38 and display it in a museum in its current condition, as the elements will surely destroy it over time. The IWM, Air Force Museum, and National Museum of Naval Aviation have done this with several of the wrecks that they have recovered over the years. Perhaps a museum/ display dedicated to all of the aircrew/aircraft who lie in Wales? Mike A good idea. According to the report it should be fairly easy to recover it, but that is of course from the comfort of my armchair. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 15 hours ago, 72modeler said: My personal opinion is that they should try to recover this P-38 and display it in a museum in its current condition, as the elements will surely destroy it over time. It depends on who is going to spring the budget for a full recovery. In today's climate, privately funded museums tend to have to be careful where they spend their money on. As an example: http://www.maam.org/p61/p61help.html Full recovery & restoration costs estimated in the 2 million range. Now, you could say just recovery and limit that to something in the range of 2-300.000 pounds. Still a lot of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 34 minutes ago, alt-92 said: It depends on who is going to spring the budget for a full recovery. In today's climate, privately funded museums tend to have to be careful where they spend their money on. As an example: http://www.maam.org/p61/p61help.html Full recovery & restoration costs estimated in the 2 million range. Now, you could say just recovery and limit that to something in the range of 2-300.000 pounds. Still a lot of money. Think how many of your slowly-deteriorating exhibits you could place under cover for that sort of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 I think the P-38 should be left where it is. The listing gives it another layer of protection above what the existing protection of military remains legislation gives it. It's spent 70 years in a shallow salty enviromennt, corrosion protection would take so much time and money. It's not a significant airframe, and there are other P-38s in the World (Unlike the RAFM Do17) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 (edited) Agreed. And, having been in salt water all that time, much like like the Do.17 if raised it will make a seriously disappointing exhibit anyway. Arguably worth the effort for a globally unique subject like the Dornier, but not for a common type of which there are 26 intact examples in the world. Edited November 13, 2019 by Work In Progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hovering Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 Interesting choice of wording in the article... "The skeletal remains of an American fighter plane ... officials say the resting place of the Lockheed P-38" given it was on a training flight and the pilot walked away afterward. Yes, it's certainly not going to last like castle or an abbey, and to preserve it would have to be recovered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 Very good points, all. I was just thinking that since it wasn't resting very deep, it would be a lot easier to lift and recover than the Do-17, Bv-138, He-115, Fw-200, and other wrecks recently discovered underwater. I was also fearful that since its location had now been revealed to the world at large, then the inevitable vandalism would begin. Perhaps a prop or fuselage pod could be recovered and made into an outside memorial where airmen from Wales are interred or as a display inside a museum. Just wishful thinking- sort of like a prop from the B-24D Lady Be Good that is part of a monument at Wheelus AB and also I believe at the Air Force Museum. (I guess I am getting more and more sentimental in my sunset years.) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, 72modeler said: I was also fearful that since its location had now been revealed to the world at large, then the inevitable vandalism would begin. Bear in mind that the only thing that's news is the increased level of legal protection. The existence and location of the wreck have been well known in the UK for more than 40 years. Most of the time it is completely inaccessible anyway. Edited November 14, 2019 by Work In Progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dads203 Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 https://tighar.org/Projects/P38/welshlightning.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 (edited) As usual, everything that group of fantasists says can safely be disregarded Edited November 14, 2019 by Work In Progress 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 20 minutes ago, Work In Progress said: As usual, everything that group of fantasists says can safely be disregarded Doubly so, now it's been listed by Cadw (Welsh equivalent to English Heritage / Historic England) think they may struggle, just a little! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now