[Milsurplus] Restoration dilemma

[Barry Hauser]

I'll see David's tuppence (sp?) and raise by a shilling ...

Offhand, I basically agree, but suggest that it isn't necessary to know the 
specifics of the wreck in quite that much detail to decide in favor of 
preservation as-found.

I'd imagine that Europe was littered with WWII debris and things were found 
all the time.  It might be rather difficult to ID the exact aircraft (e.g. 
tail number), or perhaps even the type of aircraft if the same gear were 
used in several types.  The item itself and the location where found might 
provide some clue as to the circumstances -- e.g. from a Spitfire during the 
Battle of Britain, or a Lancaster bomber on it's way back from a mission.

However, I don't personally feel that the artifact needs a specific pedigree 
or geneology to merit preservation as is.  If it interests you in seeing one 
in working condition, it may be possible to acquire another.  A 
consideration -- if it were from a crash during the war, it may have also 
coincided with the loss of the pilot and/or crew.

Generally, you can still find WWII gear that did not see service --  
surplussed out afterwards.  The wear and tear they show is from being moved 
around multiple times plus whatever their private owners did to them.  They 
are good candidates for restoration.

But, don't take it from me alone -- I'm overly sentimental.  I have some 
WWII and early Cold War gear with front panels that show usage wear.  For 
example, I have several R-105A/ARR-15A's, one of which has significant paint 
loss on the front panel.  The panels are flat black, silk-screened.  Most of 
the lettering is intact.  I'm loathe to touch it up.  I feel as though I'd 
be obliterating history -- even though it's a rather anonymous piece of 
history of a series of radio operators in some forgotten situations.  (And 
it may well be that it did not occur during service.)  Early on, I acquired 
an R-390/URR with a work-worn front panel.  Some of the most pronounced 
"eyebrows" over the tuning knobs I've ever seen, but readily re-finishable. 
Didn't have the heart.  So I bought another panel and refinished that one. 
But then I wasn't particulary motivated to replace it.  I though I might do 
so, and then hang the old panel on the wall.  What would be the point? 
Might as well leave the original on the radio.

Can you post some photos?  In that way, we can look it over and offer 
additional (and possibly worthless) advice. ;-)

If you like, I could post the photos for you on the Hollow State Newsletter 
web site.

Barry


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Stinson" <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
To: <Military1944 at aol.com>
Cc: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 8:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Restoration dilemma


> Military1944 at aol.com wrote:
>
>> Having just received a quite rare bit of WW2 kit I have a dilemma. It was 
>> obviously recovered from a wreck site, not even the hands of a radio 
>> amateur bogger (save one I know)
> > could have done this damage.
>>
>> But, do I restore it or leave it as it is?...
>
> Setting aside rarity for a moment:
> If the item has reliable provenance- you can identify with
> confidence what wreck, at what time, in what circumstance,
> then it is an historic artifact and I counsel preservation as-is.
> If you have no such provenance and no hope of getting any,
> it's a parts donor or a long-term project.
> I would photograph and document before making changes.
>
> However- if considering truly "rare" status:
> If it is "one of a kind," it should be preserved as-is.
> If not, again "parts donor" for other examples
> which are in better condition.
>
> One man's "two-pence."
> Dave S.
>
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