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I'll try................

Posted by Mick on Wed Jan 02, 2002 11:58:45 AM

In reply top Could someone please explain? posted by Karen on Tue Jan 01, 2002 12:12:40 PM

Hi Karen.

As others have already stated, remains of crashed aircraft are often worth a lot of money and will usually go to the highest bidder.
In the UK it is actually illegal for someone to sell pieces from a crashed military aircraft, this fact was made quite clear on a UK TV programme called "Time Team".
In one episode a Spitfire wreck was dug up in France, and a representative from the RAF was present at the dig.
He stated categorically that no parts can be sold after recovery, and he was present to ensure that the law was abided by, amongst other things.

I of course know very well that huge amounts of wreck material have been recovered and sold over many years, and continue to be, but I do not know how the many and varied sellers are getting round that particular law.

As regards the pieces of your Uncle's P51B, most of what was recovered would not be suitable for use in a flying Mustang, and because of that they are now being sold off as souvenirs.

If the primary data-plate was present in the wreck, then there is a distinct possibility that it will resurface one day in a flying restoration using the ID of this particular P51B.
At this present time brand-new-build high-back P51A/B/C's are being built by Gerry Beck and Pacific Fighters, I don't know how many they are intending to build, but to be "attractive" to potential owners or even us simple enthusiasts, they will all have to have some sort of "historical" identity.
This usually means that they will "adopt" an ID from a wreck, whether or not the actual data plate physically exists or not.......although it is much better for all concerned if it does physically exist.

Because the market for data-plate ID's for warbirds is relatively large, and early version P51's (A,B,C) are very rare and valuable, both whole specimens and data-plate ID's, then that data-plate is going to be worth "several" thousand dollars just as a very small piece of metal.....believe it or not!
Brand-new data plates with "historical" ID's can and are being made, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility (probability ?)that the ID of your Uncle's P51B will one day be used in a P51B restoration, even if no actual parts are ever used in the "new" aircraft....not even the data-plate.

I personally have no problems with a "historical" ID being used on what amounts to a brand-new aircraft, but for my satisfaction the data-plate MUST physically exist, and everyone MUST be told the whole truth about the real origins of the aircraft in question.
And whereas some warbirds have "questionable" ID's and "origins", P51's being the best (worst)example, we would not have a problem with this particular P51 because we all know where it came from.........but we have to know for sure whether the actual data plate exists or not, and a call to Mr Wisler "might" prove useful.

It is strange to think that the historical aviation scene has come down to the existance or not of the data plate........it's almost as if the rest of the plane doesn't matter at all.
It's a bit like if you have the deeds to a house.....if you have the deeds you have the house.......if you have the data plate you have the Mustang.............

Although your family cannot claim the ownership of the wreckage, it still legally belonged to the US Gov until it was "disposed" of to Mr Wisler, IMHO you would have a decent claim with the US Gov to allow some parts to be used as a monument, such as a prop blade as suggested by Tony, this would be a very nice idea.....but then the Gov has already sold the wreckage and no longer have any say on the matter.

Another possibility is that a Mustang owner could mount the data plate inside the cockpit of his own Mustang, along-side it's own plate, and then your Uncle's Mustang would at least fly again "In Spirit" if not in reality.

I hope the above has meant something to you Karen, and as I often write in a rather "cryptic" way on some subjects, usually to avoid arguments with certain people, it might need a little reading between the lines to find what I am saying.......if you know what I mean !!!!!!?????

Best Regards
Mick






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