What ever happened to the rest of F4Us after the war?

[Bodhi]

Originally posted by MajorDay
Yeah, I have planning to go Central America for vacation maybe next year or so on.  I would like to check it out at the airfield, but I dont know if i can get in the airfield or not and it still dangerous to go Central America.  Also, I was hoping to take a class for Aviation Archaeology at Mesa, AZ and hopefully i would able to learn about wreckage, etc.  There are 5,000 MIA in Pacific War and still looking forward to find wreckage and sent them back to USA, Great Britian, and other country.

BTW, Thanks arlo for that wreckago of VF-17 plane and it shame that he died from antiaircraft(i believe that what happened) and also thanks for the link of F4Us restoration, AKCasca.  !

MajorDay,

FYI, be VERY VERY careful about doing this sort of thing.  If, the locals find out you are interested in what THEY consider to be worthless garbage, and are willing to spend beaucoup $$$ to restore it, then you become a very nice target for a kidnapping and / or extortion scheme.  There have been multiple killings and kidnappings involved with these types of adventures in the past 10 years.  As a restoration shop manager, I can not begin to tell you the loads of false tips, innacurate data, and downright despicable schemes that have ben passed on to us.  Most came to no fruition for the culprits, but we have been burned on a few.  Thats also to say that we also have  been succesful on occasion.  Within the last few years, we even recovered a warehouse full of spares that was still in Central America.  Parts will remain unnamed, but they were still NOS in original packaging.  

As for recovering aircraft from the US.  You always run the risk of a fight with the Navy, unless the a/c in question was legally sold by the DoD to a foreign country,, or an individual.  Just dumping an aircraft over the side of a ship does not count as abandonment to them.  Nor does leaving downed aircraft in the woods, on a mountain, or in the jungles.  So be careful.  There is a well documented case of SBD's being raised from the Great Lakes by an individual, and the subsequent court battle cost millions of dollars for both he, and the US Gov't (us).  The airforce is also getting picky about aircraft as well.  Lastly, the subject of war graves is sure to cause a stir, so do your homework before you even think of disturbing one.  That alone will bring you imprisonment atleast, threat of death in certain countries, and massive $$$ fines for sure.  

THis industry is a tough deal, and it requires lots of planning, "who you know", and plenty of communication with the right sources and officials.  It can be rewarding, but mostly it is lots of behind the scenes work, that is never discussed.

[MajorDay]

Originally posted by Bodhi
MajorDay,

FYI, be VERY VERY careful about doing this sort of thing.  If, the locals find out you are interested in what THEY consider to be worthless garbage, and are willing to spend beaucoup $$$ to restore it, then you become a very nice target for a kidnapping and / or extortion scheme.  There have been multiple killings and kidnappings involved with these types of adventures in the past 10 years.  As a restoration shop manager, I can not begin to tell you the loads of false tips, innacurate data, and downright despicable schemes that have ben passed on to us.  Most came to no fruition for the culprits, but we have been burned on a few.  Thats also to say that we also have  been succesful on occasion.  Within the last few years, we even recovered a warehouse full of spares that was still in Central America.  Parts will remain unnamed, but they were still NOS in original packaging.  

As for recovering aircraft from the US.  You always run the risk of a fight with the Navy, unless the a/c in question was legally sold by the DoD to a foreign country,, or an individual.  Just dumping an aircraft over the side of a ship does not count as abandonment to them.  Nor does leaving downed aircraft in the woods, on a mountain, or in the jungles.  So be careful.  There is a well documented case of SBD's being raised from the Great Lakes by an individual, and the subsequent court battle cost millions of dollars for both he, and the US Gov't (us).  The airforce is also getting picky about aircraft as well.  Lastly, the subject of war graves is sure to cause a stir, so do your homework before you even think of disturbing one.  That alone will bring you imprisonment atleast, threat of death in certain countries, and massive $$$ fines for sure.  

THis industry is a tough deal, and it requires lots of planning, "who you know", and plenty of communication with the right sources and officials.  It can be rewarding, but mostly it is lots of behind the scenes work, that is never discussed.

EEK!  I never thought of that and I would have to say thank you for tell me about that.  Sure, I do have to risk my life to do this, but I have no plan for "rising" Vought F4Us Corsair and I am looking forward to own the Corsair or donate the Museum only in USA or Great Britain.  Please tell more about "risking" the plane and I would like to learn more about this.



Rafe35

[Bodhi]

Rafe,

Any aircraft that you recover is subject to  the laws of:

#1.  The original owner.  (admiralty laws no longer apply as the US no longer subscribes to them.)

#2.  The locale.  i.e. where you find it.  The locals, and you better damn well make sure it's the local with the top approval, they can make life hell really quick if you do not play by their rules.

#3.  The transport jurisdictions.  Guess what, if you ship that through a locale that wants to, they can confiscate it like their is no tomorrow.  Seen that on a  few occasions.  MAke sure you research before you move it.

#4.  Word of mouth.  Everyone you deal with must be under a nondisclosure statement.  Otherewise someone else will get word, and your gig will be up real quick, whether you have possesion or not.  Ohhh, and one little thing, $ is not the end all be all of most people, but a pig, or cow, that may be just the penalty they would have to pay should they open their mouth.


#5.  Health.  Make damn sure you get immunized for all the b.s. stuff that is in the bush in the area you plan on going, and FOLLOW UP on those immunizations once in country.  Take it from me, it sure is better to make sure you are immunized vs. getting "cholera" in some third world hell hole and being denied entry back to the states because you have a communicable disease.

Wish you luck, if ya want, drop me an email sometime,

northpointaerowc@aol.com

[MajorDay]

Originally posted by Bodhi
Rafe,

Any aircraft that you recover is subject to  the laws of:

#1.  The original owner.  (admiralty laws no longer apply as the US no longer subscribes to them.)

#2.  The locale.  i.e. where you find it.  The locals, and you better damn well make sure it's the local with the top approval, they can make life hell really quick if you do not play by their rules.

#3.  The transport jurisdictions.  Guess what, if you ship that through a locale that wants to, they can confiscate it like their is no tomorrow.  Seen that on a  few occasions.  MAke sure you research before you move it.

#4.  Word of mouth.  Everyone you deal with must be under a nondisclosure statement.  Otherewise someone else will get word, and your gig will be up real quick, whether you have possesion or not.  Ohhh, and one little thing, $ is not the end all be all of most people, but a pig, or cow, that may be just the penalty they would have to pay should they open their mouth.


#5.  Health.  Make damn sure you get immunized for all the b.s. stuff that is in the bush in the area you plan on going, and FOLLOW UP on those immunizations once in country.  Take it from me, it sure is better to make sure you are immunized vs. getting "cholera" in some third world hell hole and being denied entry back to the states because you have a communicable disease.

Wish you luck, if ya want, drop me an email sometime,

northpointaerowc@aol.com

Bodhi, I will drop you email probably tonight and thanks alot about this list.



Rafe35