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RE: F6F Hellcat retrieved from Lake Michigan to be returned to land

Wonder if wil fly agian like some other a/c that have been pulled out of Lake Michigan?
 
The photo gallery with the article had some pretty good shots of the SBD that was salvaged earlier this year. I see at least three sets of side numbers on it.
 
It sounds like this one very likely has an interesting combat history, before being transferred back to the states for training duties - like many of the Lake Michigan birds. It reportedly served with VF-38, from New Georgia in the Pacific, and now that they have the Bu. No., researchers should be able to track down its exact combat history.

The Navy has possesion over all of these aircraft being brought up, so it is always up to them as to how it will be restored and where it will be displayed - it is highly unlikely that the Navy will ever allow a private group to restore one and fly it around, but at least the Navy has begun recovering these aircraft once again. Some will recall that in the early 90's there were several aircraft brought up from Lake Michigan, that resulted in a number of fine and rare museum display aircraft, and even a couple of airworthy Wildcats.

Some photos of the Hellcat - not all that complete, but word has it that what is there is in very good condition:

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1495364&posted=1#post1495364

The Lake Michigan Wildcats - which looked like they had just rolled out of the factory, even upon recovery before restoration:

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f4fregistry/f4f-12260.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f4fregistry/f4f-12296.html
 
Man it looks fantastic doesn't it John!!! Now, if we can find a B-17, or a Mustang in the Great Lakes somewhere..........
 
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