Crashed WW2 plane found in the Sahara desert.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....ed-Sahara-desert.html

Some incredible pictures, of an incredible story, but the question must be asked who will hold claim to the wreckage?

The oil worker who found it, the RAF or the Egyptian government?

[Gromit]

Don't know if the law of salvage applies or not. That is usually to do with maritime finds.

But the finder is usually compensated for the finds by the owner for the value that it is worth.

Don't know if in this case the value would be scrap or of a restored craft. It would be unlikely that an oil worker would be able to afford the expense of restoring the plane. May be better to let a museum buy it.

[FredPuli43]

Interesting question of international law, but unfortunately one that may be academic. It's the British government's property, it's a chattel not real estate, title is not lost through effluxion of time, it was there legitimately, so we have the right to it. The finder has no right to it; he has no more right than someone who finds a known person's jewellery..

But the Egyptian government has it on Egypt's soil, so may well demand a payment to release it. Not justified in law; they can hardly claim rent for the space it landed on, or compensation for the hole it made;but probably cheaper than the courts and easier than persuading them to submit to judgment .

[emmie]

I would think the British government will lay claim. There are any number of organisations that would like it i expect. To restore and show in a museum. It may look a wreck but these planes are highly valued as heritage pieces.
If the government has to pay a fee for it's release well no matter. I hope that they find out where the pilots remains are, there will be little left, but perhaps a few remnants that could be given a decent burial. If he has family that could give them closure too. It's quite a sad story really.

[emmie]

it is, and whatever family he left behind, and their children will at least know what happened to him.

[ShawTee7]

Does anyone know if the spitfire found on the moon a few years back was ever salvaged??!! FredPuli43, brilliant answer by the way, hats off to you!