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Breaking News from Maine FAA Corsair info.

Posted by Rob Rohr on Thu Jun 19, 2003 07:58:12 PM

Hi All,

Has many of you know durning WWII Maine was home to three FAA/RN train bases. They operated Corsairs and TBFs mainly.

Well two Corsairs were lost over Sebago Lake in 1944, niether of the aircrew were recovered(Sebago is deep water).

Yesterday a group of salavagers trie to start a recovery operations without recieving permission from the Brittish gov. the State of Maine, the State of Maine Museum who controls all sites in Maine. The Musuem had issue a permit to a Mr.Bruce Stephenson who was working with Historic Aircraft Restoration Corp. and their Lawyer Peter Hess out of Del., Well alot has happen first the Brits have declare the site a war grave and that neither plane are to be distrubed, second Mr.Stephenson ask the State to cancell his permit which the state did they also informed Mr.Hess and the salavage group SSR.inc. out of Jupiter Fla. of this they also informed them of the English gov. deciesions.

Now I have been on the phone most of the day with various gov. official both State and English and what I have been told that if this group trys to procede that their are warrents set for arrest.

I think this set up a new case for all of us to follow. First I know that none of the local official were notified second the Portland Water district which control Sebago Lake are concerned about the possiablity of the greater Portland water being contaimnated since one of the planes are less then two miles from one of the fresh water pipes.

What does all this mean well I let everyone put their own input but speaking for alot of us Maine Avaition Historians we are happy with the out come so far.

Let these two brave men rest in peace.

Rob

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