Wyoming County Auctions 16 Vintage Military Aircraft Post Legal Dispute

Big Horn County in Wyoming is auctioning 16 vintage aircraft, mostly from World War II and the Cold War eras, after a lengthy legal dispute that concluded with the Wyoming Supreme Court ruling in favor of the county. These aircraft, including Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars, Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighters, and Lockheed P-2 Neptunes, were originally stored on leased airport land by Harold Sheppard Jr., who failed to pay rent, leading to a $543,600 storage lien and subsequent legal battle. The planes are in various states of disrepair, often stripped down to fuselages and major sections, making them non-airworthy and primarily suitable for scrap, restoration, or static display. The auction, hosted on PublicSurplus.com with starting bids as low as $25, aims to recover some costs while clearing space at the South Big Horn County Airport. Local officials acknowledge the historical significance of the aircraft but emphasize practicality in managing the collection. Interest from collectors, museums, and hobbyists has been positive, with the highest starting bid at $500 for one of the better-preserved Stratofreighters.