Who owns it?

[CharlesSibthorp]

I'd say British since I doubt the Germans want it back.

[Vimy Ridge]

The RAF museum in Hendon has a Handley Page Halifax bomber that was recovered from a Norwegian lake after being damaged following an attack on the Tirpitz. The plane came down OK (?) and the crew escaped but the weight of the plane put it through the ice, and there it stayed until being recovered 28 years later. It has not been restored but treated to prevent further corrosion.

If you go to Google and put in hendon museum halifax bomber the look at the 4th article down - Archie a pilot in RAF ..... it gives the whole story of finding, recovering etc.

Not totally relating to the original post I know but still interesting, actually it probably is a bit like the original post but in reverse.

Think I'll go back into my darkened room and sit in the corner.

[sherlock]

Recently read an article concerning this aircraft. Apparently it's going to find a home at the RAF's Hendon museum. It's going to make a great addition to that facility.

[lcm1]

Originally Posted by sherlock

A supposedly almost intact Luftwaffe Do-17 bomber was recently located in shallow water off the southern coast of Britain. It's apparently within British territorial waters, so the RAF Museum at Hendon is staking a claim. My question is, who has the legal rights to the aircraft? The British who own the property on which it sits or the Germans who built it? When a ship sinks, ownership is often disputed centuries later, no matter where it went down. Maybe the rules are different when there is treasure involved, but this one of a kind aircraft is an historical treasure in its own right. Might there be some sort of legal discussions between the two governments?

I doubt it very much.Ever heard of the 'Spoils of War'? The Germans have a reputation of being logical and I am sure in this case they will demonstrate it. lcm1

[Jose50]

I'll go with the fact that the pilot put it down on Brit soil so he, in fact, surrendered it. IMO not a war grave.

[Listy]

Originally Posted by At ease

Just a small observation re the Daily Mail article:

The image caption re: "Heroic: British planes over London ready themselves for more action in the Battle of Britain"

is incorrect.

The image is taken on the flypast over London on 15 September 1945 commemorating the Battle, which was led by Wing Commander Douglas Bader.

There's a reason (well more than one) why the daily Mail gets mocked so much.. and I think you just spotted it.

[panther3485]

Downed during the course of an attack on Britain; as a result of British defensive action in British airspace; and coming to rest within British territorial jurisdiction?

Don't see how it could belong to anyone else.

[OpanaPointer]

In the US all "enemy property" was declared property of the United States early in the war. Did the UK do the same?

[Hansika]

Museum?! Give it to Croatia that plane would greatly improve our strategical level.

[lcm1]

Originally Posted by OpanaPointer

In the US all "enemy property" was declared property of the United States early in the war. Did the UK do the same?

I think it comes back to 'Spoils of War' don't you? lcm1

[Pruitt]

Are there enough ships left in the Royal Navy to guard a salvage crew?

Pruitt

[skiplc]

We can lend some...done it before.

The UK owns that thing. The folks who built and flew it ain't around to lay claim. If they were, screw 'em anyways.

[spwgame]

Germans are so ashamed of the war, still, that they would gladly give up any rights to anything having to do with it.

[Desiree Clary]

Originally Posted by skiplc

We can lend some...done it before.

The UK owns that thing. The folks who built and flew it ain't around to lay claim. If they were, screw 'em anyways.

[KICK]

Originally Posted by Janos

Exactly right, but not the case here. Seems to me the Brits have first dibs.

makes a person wonder
if the laws were written before air ships came into existence
can they be applied to air ships?