WIX Archives

Re: Recovery Wellington HE727 concluded

Posted by Cees Broere on Fri Sep 27, 2002 02:08:00 AM

In reply top Re: Recovery Wellington HE727 concluded posted by Elliott on Thu Sep 26, 2002 04:24:26 PM

Hi Elliott,

That would be the only sensible thing to do. We have thought about that one too here in Holland, thinking that the four united groups in the NFLA have enough knowledge (in fact so much more than the AF) to do the same job but very much cheaper.

There are in fact some commercial companies who recover UXB in Holland. Problem we have is that we are all active in our spare time. If it was to be commercial then the costs would be high as well because we all have to make a living don't we.

The only thing the gouvernment should do is give us a status and permission to have these wrecks excavated without being charged with all sorts of not very nice accusations. That way the local Municipalities are less reluctant to have a wreck excavated.

We have proved in the past that with sponsors the cost of a similar recovery can be 10 times less. In fact during 1995 we had a Wellington excavated using sponsors. The total amount for the entire recovery was ? 75.000,00. And that time the Dutch AF assisted. Problem was that no human remains were found, the crew had apparently bailed out over sea. The aircraft crashed because the tanks were empty.

Anyway, it is also a matter op principal. The Dutch authorities have signed the convention of Geneva stating that they will do anything to have any missing airmen recovered. Shows what a written agreement is worth, you guessed it: nothing at all.

Cees

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