Reminds me of the final fate of the ex HAPS Sabre which was sold twice at auctions in the UK and despite being ex RAF never got back on display.It was scrapped.

Seems that controversial aspects only surface when the media get wind of a potential scandal. These recoveries on mainland Europe battle sites have been going on ever since the end of the wars. The usual mix of collecters,dealers,scrappies at first and then later an attempt to formalise the process.Bringing in a digger is why official permission was sought and granted,otherwise it would be business as usual.

Locate, survey,identify. Liase with landowners,assess historic value. Explain to landowner that parts left in the so called wild will eventually be removed by unknown people and that laws will be broken and parts never seen in public. An alternative is a proper recovery of parts with an agreed aim of use for restoration and display and or secure storage pending use.
It is wishful thinking to consider the wreckage as a memorial on its own.

Bruce and Mike J, thank you for the best summary of the rebuild identity situation.You have applied logic and common sense which is refreshing.

Thanks for adding more background info, hope this re construction can go undercover and PLEASE can some one repaint it, the camo looks the wrong shades?

This flickr thread shows the main Hampden wreckage and the restoration included parts from 2 others, seems substantial original parts included so hardly a mock up in my view. https://www.flickr.com/photos/23057174@N02/2747336246/in/photostream/

So now this issue is out in the open on this forum perhaps some plan of action can be formed? This disposal of airframes is not yet urgent and hopefully can be sorted out well before threats of scrapping are made.

An exhibit should engage the viewer so audio visual displays will increase with virtual reality becoming more useful.Static airframes might not be enough although the keen enthusiast always likes to see them once. Displays will decrease in number but the quality will be constant and special effects included to compete with other attractions.