WIX Archives

Underwater "recoveries"

Posted by Joe Scheil on Fri Jan 18, 2002 12:36:37 PM

In reply top piccies of DTMB Condor recovery posted by Tony on Fri Jan 18, 2002 09:12:06 AM

The "airframe" was recovered and really was no worse, or better than any of these other wrecks that exist. I was not sure who had the idea of lifting her clean out of the water like that but, different strokes ...

This is a good primer for those who know of other ocean bound aircraft and desire a recovery attempt. The structural integrity of the aircraft is generally poor and the potential airworthiness of one of these is absolutly impossible. As the number of these recoveries increases, and new "Survivors" are added to lists, there needs to be restraint in calling them surviving aircraft. This is a relic, and has no chance of showing us what her type looked and flew like. Extensive photography can preserve a lot. I would love the S-43 off Catalina Island, or the one in the Med, but the reality of the situatin is the aircraft is gone. The metal remnants will show us her shape for another 40 years or so, but then they will be gone too.

A friend was approached (older gentleman) regarding the resurection of Brewster Buffalo components, actuators and landing gear, into a complete aircraft. He was a little out of touch with the warbird scene, but had restored prizewinning antiques (Oshkosh) for years. His comment was "If an airplane is extinct, it happened for a reason"

The new historical Darwinism?

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