WIX Archives

Russia ... long

Posted by Dave on Wed Dec 05, 2001 07:16:09 PM

In reply top AN APOLOGY posted by Tony on Wed Dec 05, 2001 06:21:41 PM

Hi Tony

I would have to agree about your opinion of the majority of Russians involved in the recovery buisiness , but I don't think that applies to those who do the ground work ... those who are out there as enthusiasts searching for wrecks.
I know of one guy who had a few P-40 wrecks and a hut full of parts that he had collected off his own batt .. of course he did this with the intention of selling them .. but at what would be considered 'reasonable ' prices . He was smart enough to spread the parts around his property .. hiding them in various places . Not long after he received an un anounced visit from the 'professional' aircraft recoverers who proceeded to help themselves to what they could find ...
These are the types that have , with the help of some 'more money than brains' westerners , caused the Russian warbird market to spiral so far out of control that very little is coming out of there at present . The prices being asked are totally ludicrous !
I do know a few Russians involved in the recovery buisiness and they are realistic and honest guys ... and even they admit that is a rarity in their line of work !!
They have also had experiences of being ripped off by their own people.
As far as the 109F and P-40k from the Safonovo Museum are concerned , I believe the fault lays mostly with the Russians who brokered the agreement with the museum ...they deceived not only the curator , but also those they sold the aircraft on to . Of course I am not party to the details , but that is my impression from hearing my Russian friends relate the story.
I can only hope that with the refusal of the west to pay the current prices , that some sanity will set in which allows the flow of these treasures 'coming out of the cold' to resume.

regards

Dave

Follow Ups: