Maid of Harlech Protected (P-38)

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4 years 5 months

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6 years 2 months

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So now the clock is running on how long before TIGHAR takes complete credit for this.

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16 years 7 months

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How will it be 'protected' if left in situ? Surely the action of the salt water and sand on the airframe means that it will continue to deteriorate. Seemingly all that it's been 'protected' from is wreck hunters, like TIGHAR, and thus its 'protection' is of little value in the long term.

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6 years 2 months

Posts: 313

24 hours or thereabouts for TIGHAR to claim the credit. In an e-mail this morning, Gillespie said, "After twelve years of effort led by TIGHAR Researcher Matt Rimmer, CADW (pronounced KAHdoo), the Welsh government's historic environment service, has recognized The Maid of Harlech as an official historic monument. Disturbance of the site, until now protected only by the sand that hides it, will carry significant legal penalties. This is the first time an unrecovered vintage aircraft in the UK has been granted legal protection. For more see this excellent article from the BBC. "

Hmmm ... no mention of TIGHAR in the article. Or the TIGHAR researcher who "led" the effort.

And despite TIGHAR's spending at least $6,000 towards this aircraft's recovery or preservation (according to its tax forms), there is no evidence TIGHAR's actions had anything to do with the Welsh government's decision.

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19 years 9 months

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And every unrecovered military aircraft already has legal protection

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6 years 2 months

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DaveF68, TIGHAR never lets things like facts and reality get in the way of a good fund-raising opportunity. Or even a mediocre fund-raising opportunity.

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6 years 2 months

Posts: 313

As of today, the TIGHAR website has this to say about the P-38, among other things:

"Contributions to the Maid of Harlech Memorial Fund go to help cover TIGHAR’s expenses in advocating for the responsible recovery and conservation of Lockheed P-38F 41-7677. If you wish, you can make your donation of $100 or more in the name of any World War II veteran. When the aircraft is recovered, a permanent memorial with the names of the donors and honorees will accompany the P-38 to the accessioning museum.

In the meantime, we’ll send you a handsome Certificate of Recognition acknowledging your support in helping us make sure this priceless relic is preserved for future generations.

To donate to the Maid of Harlech Project, click HERE. "

This seems to be going well beyond the bounds of wishful thinking, in light of what the Welsh government has done.

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16 years 7 months

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Tee hee, will donors also get a TIGHAR baseball cap with the letter M, U and G displayed prominently across the front?

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11 years 3 months

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Mug = UK slang for a very gullible, easily fooled person. Very apt in this case!

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6 years 2 months

Posts: 313

Ah... should have figured that out.

I'm more puzzled why TIGHAR is continuing to try and collect money for something that a government entity has decided it has sole authority over.

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4 years 5 months

Posts: 3

Like the JU88 recovery, this P38 will be highly corroded and with be very difficult to remove without it falling to pieces. I'm afraid that time has pretty much won now when it comes to salt water wrecks . Yes the JU88 is rare , but the cost to recover/preserve far outweighs the value of the corroded hulk recovered. As for the P38 , again the cost far outweighs its value considering there are many airframes to be found world wide.

 

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16 years 7 months

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I doubt, Canukman, that this will prevent TIGHAR soliciting donations expressed to be for that purpose!

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6 years 2 months

Posts: 313

Canukman, you're not thinking like TIGHAR, to wit: "Recognizing the Lightning’s historical significance as the oldest surviving Eighth Air Force combat veteran, and its potential as an object of study in corrosion research, TIGHAR has made a commitment to champion the aircraft’s recovery and preservation. and "The aircraft, largely intact and remarkably free of corrosion, is one of the most significant WWII-related archaeological discoveries in recent history."

However ... 1) Anyone who has seen photos of this aircraft is quick to realize that it is more than a little corroded, no surprise since it's been exposed to salt water for decades, and 2) Who, besides TIGHAR, thinks that it's any more or less significant than any other WWII aircraft wreck?

But there's still time to get YOUR certificate and make YOUR donation to this invaluable project! Send a check to TIGHAR today!