Recent events have got me thinking and I realise there is a substantial gap in my knowledge regarding Aviation Archaeology and wreck recovery. As I sit here, with my limited knowledge of this particular subject, I admit to being fairly entrenched in my view that it is only valuable when human remains are to be recovered for identification and burial or, just perhaps, if the airframe to be recovered is extremely rare.
Leaving aside the contentious issues regarding the final destinations of any items recovered, or indeed, the possibility of any payment received for them, can anyone explain the value of this activity? What is the reasoning and rationale? In the meantime here’s a few thoughts……
Can a few corroded lumps of engine and airframe portray the history of a particular type or airframe to any great effect?
Is the recovery of parts useful to the restoration movement in that it may provide patterns or templates where no parts, or possibly even drawings, exist? (Thinking about extinct types such as Manchester, Stirling, Whitley et al.)
With the massive upsurge in historic aircraft which are now airworthy, is Aviation Archaeology as relevant now as it was when there were fewer aircraft airworthy or restored? I,m thinking back to when you couldn’t see ten Spitfires in the air at once and that the sight of a battered Browning or mangled Merlin was as close as one could often tangibly get to a Spitfire for instance.
When Cosford was in its infancy as a Museum, and I were a lad, there was a significant amount of remains displayed by a group from a number of crash sites. Not talking about this group in particular, but, do those groups who display such material have any policy as to what happens to those remains or any donated material in the same way as a Museum should? Or is it all privately owned.
[B][COLOR=”Red”]Not trying to be contentious here, just asking a few questions to help me understand and appreciate the purpose of this activity.
Regards,
kev35
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Kev
Isn’t this thread a bit tongue in cheek? Surely being an active member on this forum for a long time you must have seen the rights and wrongs of this activity debated at least half a dozen times and even made a contribution yourself? Its always a pretty contentious issue everyone has strong views. Surely this a case of light the blue touch paper and stand back? 😉
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