New Me109 Wreck Discovered. ** Some Graphic Content

[mathieu]

Originally Posted by VtwinVince

These guys are definitely not archaeologists, judging from the way they handled this dig. Indefensible.

I've seen photos from other salvage operation in western europe and in many cases they showed the same way of working as what you see on that Russian recovery. Now a days, in western europe, it is much more regulated and salvage/recovery by hobby people became less. On the other hand, if these people did not recover the remains of the pilot he would still be were he crashed, now there is a change that relatives will know what happened and get back the personel effects.

[Broncazonk]

At the 4:18 min mark (in the video) a green fluid appears in the bottom of the hole (that was dry before and dry after) and it's plainly visible until the 5:00 min mark. The liquid looks identical to the Prestone coolant then in use by American liquid-cooled aircraft, and I assume the backhoe punctured the header tank. Does this seem plausible?

Bronc

[sidney]

Originally Posted by Broncazonk

At the 4:18 min mark (in the video) a green fluid appears in the bottom of the hole (that was dry before and dry after) and it's plainly visible until the 5:00 min mark. The liquid looks identical to the Prestone coolant then in use by American liquid-cooled aircraft, and I assume the backhoe punctured the header tank. Does this seem plausible?

Bronc

No, it does not. It was written (in Russian though) that these guys were about to pour a mix of antifreeze and hydraulic liquid over the ground, probably to soften it up.

I would not call them grave robbers. They documented their find on camera and posted it on the internet, which is something that no grave robber would ever contemplate to do. To me, we can discuss about the methods, but it all seems fair play.

Regards,
Sinisa

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Originally Posted by sidney

pour a mix of antifreeze and hydraulic liquid over the ground, probably to soften it up.

In the video and on the forum they says it is a mix of liquids from the Bf109 systems. The wreck lays on the clay sheet so the liquid remained on the place.

[ClinA-78]

Crude and rude method however.

That was about the method deployed by the team (call it dig or sa(u)lvage), which lacks sensitivity/tact before sending it to the world's eyes.
As an amateur (and not archaeologist) I use to manage recoveries, now with authority collaboration. There are basic rules as such as... "not digging above the wreckage, if deeper, go larger, etc."

So back to the topic, dig done, hoping the artefacts will return to the family.

ClinA-78

[ClinA-78]

No, it does not. It was written (in Russian though) that these guys were about to pour a mix of antifreeze and hydraulic liquid over the ground, probably to soften it up.

So if they poured that mix, they really deserved the crude method! The soil seems already soggy. However, the wreckage, itself, is a source of pollution...
I am rather thinking about Farbbeutel? I have already seen that kind of greenish color.

ClinA-78

[sidney]

Originally Posted by ClinA-78

... However, the wreckage, itself, is a source of pollution...
I am rather thinking about Farbbeutel? I have already seen that kind of greenish color. ClinA-78

After 70+ years being buried in the ground, I would not expect any liquid remaining in aircraft as a potential source of pollution. However, if you want to believe that it was the case, that is alright - I provided you with the correct translation, you draw your own conclusions.

[VtwinVince]

It's common knowledge that the Russians are looting war graves all over eastern Europe, do a search and you'll find all the videos. I don't see how these guys are much different, ripping jewelry off the fingers of dead people. Revolting. Period.

[Boris Ciglic]

Originally Posted by VtwinVince

It's common knowledge that the Russians are looting war graves all over eastern Europe, do a search and you'll find all the videos. I don't see how these guys are much different, ripping jewelry off the fingers of dead people. Revolting. Period.

And where is the market for this stuff? What's the difference between the evil, ugly and dirty looters in Russia (or in Cambodia in the 70s, or Iraq and Syria today) and shiny, happy and wealthy collectors in the west? To me they are the same sort of scum. And in this particular case I can only see that an aviator will receive a decent burial after more than 70 years.

Boris

[harrison987]

My two cents...

Fluids are common. I have been involved with a few recoveries and many times coolant and fuel still remains.

These wrecks in the East are not being recovered because they want to "finally give the pilot a burial"....or for "historical purposes".

They are being recovered for money and the VALUE of the wreckage. If these were worth scrap value, no one would be doing it.

If it were not for the collectors in the West...AS WELL as the collectors in the EAST (trust me, there are a lot)...no one would be bothering to recover or dig for these wrecks.

This specific wreck was not really dug "carefully"...I cringed every time the backhoe tore into the fuselage when trying to pull it up.

Everything was done with haste...which is why people are a bit upset.

Already parts from the wreck are being sold for money...

Mike