WIX Archives

Re: Wildcat for sale

Posted by Tony on Wed Sep 26, 2001 09:41:07 PM

In reply top Wildcat for sale posted by Richard Allnutt on Wed Sep 26, 2001 03:05:16 PM


Fred Kona, who pulled items large and small out of the jungle, started this display in the early 1970?s . Once again any good machine guns are stashed away , as the Bouganvillians stole all the ones they did have out . Fred Kona is dead now and his widow and brother run the place . When Mr. Kona started to assemble these items 20 - 30 years ago the local villagers thought he was crazy and used to destroy pieces of his "junk" .

"Sadly over 50 years more exposure in the open air has taken its toll on some items and aircraft markings are barely readable . The Gruman F4F4 Wildcat recovered in 1973 is still there . They have had at least three offers from American enthusiasts to buy it , but have said no. The 20mm and 7.7mm holes from the attacking Zero fighter are plainly visible . "
http://www.gnt.net/~jrube/then&now/revisited95.htm

http://www.grummanpark.org/aircraftpages/F4F_2.htm
(Picture reference)

The good Doctor, kindly informs prospective buyers , that he is aware of US salvage laws. Does he mean, US maritime salvage laws, or the US Navy's version. There have been 3 offers in the past, all refused....Big clue here...MORE MONEY PLEASE.

Any prospective buyer, really needs to get permission from the US Navy first, and you all know what that means. I am also concerned, that the seller, will only deliver it to the Wharf at Cruz. mmmmmmmmmm.Would that be because of the Government of the Solomon islands restrictions on exporting exactly this type of thing?

But, i'm sure it can be rebuilt into something nice, if the buyer is prepared to put up with the heartache,and undoubted expense.

If anyone is going to buy this aircraft, and please, I'm not teaching you to suck eggs, go over the legal aspects first, and over and over again, and when you've finished, read over it again. I'm sure, that the Solomons, has an antiquities export restriction in place since last year, I know Vanuatu does.

You still have to get the aircraft out of the Solomons, and that could well be a headache on it's own.

My feeling initally? Leave it where it is, but nothings impossible

Tony :0)



: I saw the following ad on the Barnstormers website...
:
:
: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR WILDCAT FOR SALE ? FOR SALE!! T
: he Wildcat that has been sitting idle outside of Honiara,
: Guadalcanal, has been given to me to sell. I am aware of t
: he U.S. laws on salvage, but more aware of 'custom' owners
: hip. If the plane is sold, seller will deliver to wharf at
: point cruz only. I am a friend of the family that own the
: aircraft and also a friend of the late Fred Kona. Offers
: may be submitted to the supplied email address. No Dreamer
: s or Time Wasters please. All transactions will be via a b
: ank/solicitor with a min. 40% deposit paid up front, No Sc
: ammers. Only contacts by EMAIL will be answered in first
: instance. Thank you. Contact Dr. Robert Crawford located
: Inverell NSW AUSTRALIA. Telephone: 612 0267214063. Fax: s
: ame. -- Posted 20 September 2001
:
:
: Anyone have an idea whether this aircraft could be importe
: d into the US without problems? Since the aircraft has bee
: n in museum ownership for several decades, I would have th
: ought that it would work out... afterall, there are many a
: ircraft flying or being restored today in the States that
: were recovered from wrecksites even in the late eighties.
: Perhaps it's a scam too, as you can never tell what the ex
: port conditions might be from the island it's located on.
: At any rate, I would be interested to hear what people thi
: nk, as if the offer is genuine I am sure someone could fin
: d a good home for it... it is afterall a significant comba
: t veteran.
:
: Cheers,
: Richard

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