WIX Archives
Re: Was: Beware parts consolidation
Posted by Scott WRG Editor on Thu Nov 22, 2001 02:16:30 AM
In reply top Re: Was: Beware parts consolidation posted by Paul Stewart on Tue Nov 20, 2001 09:56:00 AM
: The centre section/data plate thing is an artificial "valu
: e" created by the collectors and restorers market, rather
: than making any historical sense. In historical terms the
: propeller, gear, whatever from an old aeroplane is just as
: "relevant" an artifact as the centre fuselage section.
I my opinion, the identity of an aircraft is decided by the center section of the aircraft. This is the core of an aircraft's skeleton and everything else is a collection of parts. That doesn't mean those parts aren't historically significant. Significance of this type is dictated by the ability to trace the history of the part and what aircraft it was a part of. Data plates are parts and should only be used to identify and airframe if they are still attached to the airframe and can be certified to have been there at construction. Data plates slapped onto essentially new airframes are nice for detail purposes but shouldn't be used to establish an identity for a new aircraft.
With that said, any airworthy warbird is a wonderful thing, regardless of it's origin.
Scott