[Bogey78O]

If the gov't abandons property why should they come back 50 yrs later and cite a claim on it?

[cynicom]

Mr. Ashcroft is charge of that dept, on the ball as usual.

[Lockbar]

This is not the first time this has happened. Some guys got into the same bind with the Navy/Feds 10-15 years ago when they raised a couple of Wildcats and Dauntless dive bombers from Lake Michigan off Chicago that sunk during practice carried landings in WW2. The Feds will only allow you to own their stuff if they let you.

[Doomonyou]

This kind of crap really pisses me off. I'm surprised they didn't let him restore it first before they sued him.

[WSGilcrest]

[Viking2002]

Another case of pencil-pushers with more power than brains, looking for a way to justify their paycheck......

[Fresh Wind]

As I understand it, Brewster was the only US aircraft company to go out of business during WW-II.

[mikenola]

So let's see, the guy salvages it 13 years ago and now the government wants it? After he's restored it?

Looks like the govt is going to get a free airplane restoration job.

[x1stcav]

Corsair???

Isn't this the Brewster "Buffalo"?

As I recall, this was an obsolete POS even before the war broke out and most of them were shot down by the Nips early on.

If memory serves me correctly, though, I think the Dutch bought some of these and did quite well with them.

[KarlInOhio]

Terrorists - guy salvaging airplane - terrorists - guy salvaging airplane.

It was a tough call, but the DoJ and the Navy decided to go after the guy salvaging the airplane. Maybe if this guy gives up quickly, the government will still have time to go after the terrorists again.

[nothingnew]

The Justice Department sued Cralley on behalf of the Navy on Wednesday, seeking the plane, the cost of returning it and compensation for any damage since Cralley recovered it.

Your tax dollars at werk for a stupid and crass lawsuit. What a pantload.

FMCDH

[The Great RJ]

Like what is the Navy going to do with this plane?? Sell it on E-bay to the Canadian Forces to modernize their air fleet??? Perhaps this plane will be the backbone of Naval aviation under a Kerry administration.

[CarryaBigStick]

Unfortunately the Navy has a long history of this sort of B.S.

Just ask Clive Cussler; he and his non-profit shipwreck hunting team have been on the recieving end of this sort of chrome plated crap. Read 'The Sea Hunters' for an illuminating look at the Navy's arrogance with regards to salvage rights.

Sometimes I think they should just fly the Jolly Roger from their ships.

[niteowl77]

This is strictly a USN-driven issue, and it has been their standard policy for some time. If the guy had found a P-47, the U.S. Army (or Air Force) would be more likely to give the guy a pat on the back, wish him luck, let him pump money into the economy, and save the taxpayers a couple of bucks in the bargain.

[hchutch]

Response that should be sent to the Navy: "You left it lying around for 46 years. He has spent 13 years and X amount of money restoring it. Case dismissed with prejudice, and I consider it frivolous."

*BANG*

"Next case, baliff."