Team prepares for another P-38 "Lost Squadron" recovery

[Lightjug]

I wonder how far apart the planes were after they landed in Greenland?

If you look at This Picture from the Lost Squadron Web Site it should give you a general idea.

the story is sorely lacking in detail, how do they plan #1 to locate the aircraft again, (they surely have moved since 1992) and #2 to remove enough ice to bring the aircraft up?

If you look at This Set of Pictures from the Lost Squadron Web Site, they show some pics of the Super Gopher they used to tunnel down. They then used pressure washers to carve out a cavern and took the plane apart and brought her up piece by piece... the largest being the centre section. The old Glacier Girl web site is long gone, but if IIRC... the plane’s locations were tagged somehow so if they move with the glacier, they could still be located.

I’ve been keen on this story since Glacier Girl, but The Lost Squadron Web Site has no updates since 2009 so I’m not sure what’s going on with them.

From the article... “Glacier Girl, the P-38 recovered in 1992 and restored, came with a cost of some $3 million. Glacier Girl, airborne once again, sold for $7 million.”
IIRC the old Glacier Girl web site’s FAQ said restoration was approx. $10 million. It sold for a heck of a lot more than $7 million did it not?

Brucey is right, the story is lacking in a lot of detail. You can’t just fly this AN-2 up there and start drilling. Something’s missing here.

[tom d. friedman]

the recovery also cost a life. let's not forget that. but i'm sure he died doing what he loved best.

[Steve Nelson]

Someone died during Glacier Girl's recovery? I thought that happened during the "Kee Bird" saga.

SN

[Chuck Giese]

Someone died during Glacier Girl's recovery? I thought that happened during the "Kee Bird" saga.

SN

Yes, that was during the Kee Bird recovery attempt, not the Lost Squadron.

[Peeler]

There are additional updated stories on the web. Google "Ovid Ken McBride"

[Pat Carry]

There are additional updated stories on the web. Google "Ovid Ken McBride"

Peeler, Welcome to the WIX! Feel free at any time to join the lovely art of conversation.

[Lightjug]

I see they’re delayed for a year... it was McBride that said in the first article that a lot can go wrong. Looks like something did, better here than on the ice cap. I was cynical at first, but I think I see where this team is going. The Lost Squadron Expedition is going for ALL planes. If you read their web site they’re moving in equipment, tents, caterers... a LOT of stuff, a lot of planning. This team wants to go after one but I still wonder what kind of equipment they’re bringing in. The original team in ’92 were constantly digging themselves out so a few snowblowers are in order

Ithaca Journal Article

Last edited by Lightjug on Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[DoraNineFan]

I see they’re delayed for a year... it was McBride that said in the first article that a lot can go wrong. Looks like something did, better here than on the ice cap. I was cynical at first, but I think I see where this team is going. The Lost Squadron Expedition is going for ALL planes. If you read their web site they’re moving in equipment, tents, caterers... a LOT of stuff, a lot of planning. This team wants to go after one but I still wonder what kind of equipment they’re bringing in. The original team in ’92 were constantly digging themselves out so a few snowblowers are in order

Caterers??

If they brought in a Starbucks, I might bring a shovel and help for free coffee..

[Lightjug]

Caterers??
If they brought in a Starbucks, I might bring a shovel and help for free coffee..

Yes, under the Recovery Team they list someone in charge of Catering and Deployment... See This Link

Well, now that I read that again, once on site it will become the Greenland Kitchen Team... I guess that's where the deployment part comes in.

Hey if they include a Tim's, I'll start a Canadian Shovel Team

[Peeler]

Ken and his team are ready to return to Greenland this summer to try to recover one of the P-38s that they were able to locate in 2011. He is looking for skilled people interested in supporting the project. Look him up on Facebook at Lost Squadron - Greenland.

[Dan Jones]

I wonder how much thicker the ice has gotten in 20 years? And what became of the original steam "gopher"?

[cooper9411]

All I can say is I'm working/hoping on being involved with the recovery!

[John Ceglarek]

So I guess I'm confused...do both of these teams have permission/rights to recover one or more of the aircraft? Is it a case of who gets there first, or what?

[CoastieJohn]

So I guess I'm confused...do both of these teams have permission/rights to recover one or more of the aircraft? Is it a case of who gets there first, or what?

I'm not sure what happens if two competing groups are wanting to work in the same area at the same time. As I recall when I had to look into this, interested parties have to apply for a "salvation permit" and an "area allocation permit". That entitles the permit holder rights for a given period of time to conduct activities in the location identified on the permits. About 2-3 years ago Greenland took over the permitting process from Denmark. I have one of the new applications somewhere and there are certain requirements that have to be met in order to get your application approved. I would say they have tightened things up a bit...notably cleaning up after yourself and proper disposal of debris. In the area where the Duck Hunt is taking place, the Greenland govt was supposed to declare it a war grave and not issue any permits for that area unless they came thru the U.S. govt.....such as a govt contractor.

[cooper9411]

I wonder what ever happened to the group out of Pennsylvania using the name "Operation Bolero 2"? At one time they had the permits and were trying to get funding for the recovery. Any one know if they are affiliated with each other?