Aircraft Preservation: Preserving DOD Aircraft Significant to Aviation History
Abstract
In response to your request, we have reviewed (1) whether the National Historic Preservation Act is adequate to ensure that the Department of Defense (DOD) considers historic preservation when taking actions that affect aircraft with significance in U.S. aviation history and (2) whether DOD is taking adequate steps to ensure preservation and public access to its aircraft with significance in U.S. aviation history. You stated that your concern stems from attempts by your Offices to preserve a Vietnam era F-4D aircraft(serial no. 66-7463). The aircraft is currently displayed outdoors at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, without its engine and several other "usable" parts. The F-4D was used to shoot down six enemy aircraft in Vietnam, and the Air Force's only pilot ace (a fighter pilot officially credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft) of the Vietnam conflict scored his first and fifth victories with the aircraft. We believe that the act applies to DOD aircraft. The act states that heads of federal agencies, with the advice of the Secretary of Interior and in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, locate, inventory, and nominate to the Secretary of Interior all buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects under their jurisdiction or control that appear to qualify for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- AD1175534
Entities
People
- Harry R. Finley
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office