RECOVERY TECHNIQUES
Once an aircraft has been located and the very long process of clearing
documents and obtaining licences are satisfied, the physical work really
begins. Due to the very inhospitable terrain and weather condition serious
planning is the essence to any successful recovery.
(left): The logistics of recovery from remote crash sites can be extremely challenging even in the Artic summer.
The assembled team must have good survival training and instincts for many aircraft sites are miles and miles from the nearest track, let alone road or civilisation - often hidden way up in the Arctic Circle.
First of all the site must be fully surveyed and assessed for the best course of initial recovery. If in the forest, the vehicles will have to make their own way through the trees and across ditches and bogs. Usually travelling as a pair of off road vehicles one literally winches the other across the terrain, moving back and forth until they find a way through. If the aircraft are located underwater or under ice then specialist sonar equipment is used to determine the physical layout and condition of the aircraft. If required divers accept the arctic waters and swim down for a closer inspection and then use floatation equipment to raise the aircraft.
Gallery Click on a thumbnail image below to see a
larger version (please allow time for
larger images to load if viewing at connection speeds of 56.6kbps or less).
(right): FW189 recovery site from the air
The teams can only carry the equipment and supplies necessary for the job as space and weight has obvious consequences. Individuals must be trusted, experienced and capable of using the equipment, tooling and communicating with any locals they may come across.
These areas can prove dangerous in more ways than one, especially for the westerner who may be inexperienced in the very harsh conditions and potential personal risk of unknown lands.
As our expertise have grown over the years we have managed to operate more and more efficiently and grow to have a good understanding with our overseas teams. Particularly when dismantling the aircraft on site for loading. Many aircraft suffered worse damage being recovered than they sustained during conflict and subsequent forced or crashed landing. On more than one occasion wings have literally been sawn off, as tooling and education were not available. Now experienced aircraft technicians are often on site to carry out the aircraft break down themselves. However many variables dictate how a recovery can and is carried out.
(left): Great care must be taken when recovering fragile airframes and components
Once the aircraft are recovered to an initial base, the aircraft if possible is stripped and packed for onward travel. From here on good logistic understanding and negotiation is the key. Many months later, often in double figures, the aircraft arrives at its destination port, either via us or directly to the new buyer.
During the time of onward travel we attempt to trace the aircrafts history, including pilot and final flight. The results can be startling and on more than one occasion has enabled light to be shed on previously unexplained events, sometimes even leading to new honours and belated military burials for the crew.
In any event, and what ever the outcome, the recovery and research is
always carried out with the up most sensitivity and respect it so deserves.
web design: david siddall multimedia, monmouth, uk | © 2007
