The W.A.S.P. Museum
RANDY L. FREY
Founded in Quartzsite, Arizona: Training Ground for those who aspired to be WASP!
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The W.A.S.P. Museum
Founded in Quartzsite, Arizona: Training Ground for those who aspired to be WASP!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the plane originally?Built in the 50's, this Panther was designated for the scrap yard in 1964 when the City of Mesa in Arizona requested a piece of military equipment to be used as a display in a public park there. The plane was donated to the City of Mesa in response to their request, and stayed there until 1994 when Mesa city attorneys warned it presented a liability risk for the city. It was at that point the plane was offered at auction and the bidders were the W.A.S.P. Museum in Quartzsite and one other -- a scrap yard. The bids were sealed, the auction was properly publicized. The W.A.S.P. bid won. Back to TopWhere did the Navy come in?The W.A.S.P. museum is easily visible from Route 10, a main thoroughfare that runs through the center of Quartzsite, Arizona. Navy personnel could see the plane's fuselage from their vehicle on the interstate. It happened that they recognized the plane as a Navy fighter, and they set about identifying the plane by sending a representative to get the serial number from the aircraft. They first tried confiscating the plane. When Oldham sent them to Mesa for additional documentation from the City of Mesa, he believed the incident was over. But another year later, the U.S.S. Hornet representatives arrived offering to assist with the restoration for loan of the plane to that museum for a period of five years. The deal was made, a contractual agreement was signed and the Panther was transported to the museum for a restoration that still has yet to happen -- and the five years is up in March of 2005. The Hornet Museum essentially assisted the Navy in obtaining the plane and now is in violation of their contract with the W.A.S.P. Back to TopWhy doesn't the Navy relinquish the plane or purchase it?The additional cases known to be currently pending would indicate that this is a method of operation in which only the Navy engages -- the confiscation of restored airplanes without restitution and without regard for ownership. It would appear that this is an ongoing issue which needs to be resolved. Some two dozen cases are currently pending and the W.A.S.P. case is particularly well documented. The outcome of the additional cases could well hinge on the outcome of the battle for the W.A.S.P. Museum's Panther. Back to TopWho is preventing the return of the Panther?Many times there have been indications that this situation would be resolved... but never has there been a solid, viable communication that the fight for the Panther is over. In fact, a tersely worded phrase has become the 'final word' on the possession of the Panther: "Once a Navy plane, always a Navy plane." The matter has become somewhat of a 'no win' situation. While the Navy has clearly been lax is salvaging and restoring these abandoned military aircraft themselves, they seem to reserve the right to confiscate it from those who have. It's been an amazing thing for those involved to attempt to sort out: How can the Navy lay claim to equipment long abandoned only after others have located, transported, restored and -- oftentimes -- legally purchased it? In some of the cases pending, the Navy gave permission to people to salvage aircraft from underwater and then insisted upon confiscation. Back to TopWhat is 'the bottom line'?The U.S. military was never intended to develop an 'us against them' mentality toward the people of this country. Indeed, most military personnel have spent time as civilians and, typically, return to civilian life -- and a great many civilians are veterans, having spent time in the military. The Congress has the responsibility to maintain a working relationship between the military and the citizenry -- and themselves have many opportunities to work with military officers in their official role as Congressional delegates. Congress handled the writing of the official decree that allowed Navy planes to be donated to municipalities during the 50's and Congress would appear to hold the key to a final resolution in this matter. Back to TopWhen is this matter to be decided?The case of the Panther is steadily gaining momentum as the 'frontrunner' in a myriad of cases pertinent to the confiscation of military [Navy] aircraft. It appears that the final decision will be handled in the public domain as the political structure and the military brass deal with the ramifications of a situation that should have been decided fairly and equitably in the beginning. If the NAVY wants the planes, they should have to purchase them from anyone holding official proof of ownership or to whom permission was granted for them to salvage and restore the aircraft. Again, for the purpose of clarification: it is only the NAVY that is attempting to thwart restorations of aircraft and the NAVY that is using the full force of the Department of Justice to damage those who refuse to relinquish, without financial compensation, these expensive project planes. Back to TopAuthor information goes here.
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