For what it is worth -
Auger in on details like an argument over a single artifact and you've just sacrificed what is supposed to be the greater focus and mission of TIGHAR.
Take the broader view of the hypothesis, press it for the strengths you can demonstrate that it has - and yes, that you do lead expeditions 'out there' to learn all that can be learned - including by inclusion of interested enthusiasts, and don't apologize for that - and you may be onto something bigger and more defendable; maybe even not just 'defendable', but perhaps 'attractive'.
Also, as to the artifact temptation - again, point to 'process' - and do the process demonstrably 'right', and you also have something - whether a given artifact 'survives' or not.
Consider it: these things can leave you with two things that others may just find to be positives:
- A strong hypothesis as to where to go look for the airplane
- A strong internal process that fears nothing, even failing articles that we had hoped would point to bigger things
Maybe that is the bolder approach - and maybe it can yield something more like what TIGHAR has been envisioned to be in a shareable, perhaps even more infectious way.
Quit worrying about who is calculating what or who nips at whose heels. Just stand up for the big picture - and make it one you can be proud of and that others can truly want to sign on to. That can be - and must be - bigger than any written article, or any artifact.
Do less and drown in the mire of these small things. Sorry to be blunt, but what are friends for.