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Re: Was: Beware parts consolidation

Posted by Gregory Alegi on Tue Nov 20, 2001 11:55:16 AM

In reply top Was: Beware parts consolidation posted by Paul on Tue Nov 20, 2001 06:13:32 AM

Paul, good to see you on the forum.

IMHO, perhaps we should consider separating the issues of originality and identity/provenance. I have compiled a list of definitions used by museums, and for most an "original" is defined as over 50% of an aircraft by weight and/or parts count - no reference to dataplates.

To play the devil's advocate, how should we classify two hypothetical warbirds rebuilt from (a) an original centre section, fully fitted out etc, accounting for about 25-30% of an airframe but including the prized dataplate, and (b) pair of wings, engine and rear fuselage/tail section totalling 65-70 pc but lacking the plate.

I have also long held that we should take into account "continuity", i.e. the interval between the last appearance of an aircraft and its major rebuild (not overhaul). In other words, if a wrecked aircraft was completely rebuilt during its active life (say because no replacements were available - it happened often, especially in smaller air forces and/or remote locations), it would still remain original; if the same were done today, maybe not.

Finally, I seem to recall reading in a magazine, many years ago, that in the USA it is a Federal offense to transplant dataplates (and hence identities). Can anyone confirm this, possibly with a FAR or USC reference?

Happy landings ... on your freshly rebuilt undercarriage (landing gear to us colonials).

Gregory Alegi

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