The case of airplane collector Doug Champlin's attempt to get reimbursed by the federal government for the $130,000 he spent locating and recovering a World War II Navy TBD-Devastator from the bottom of the ocean eight miles off the coast of Florida has no merit.
Of course Mr. Champlin should have consulted with the Navy before spending his time and money on this project. Anyone engaged in salvage, whether it's junk vehicles or sunken ships should know the law relating to their business.
While there is no question that it was only