B-29 Kee Bird image from NASA (April, 2011)

spriso · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:14 am

Was on NASA's Goddard Photo and Video Flickr page tonight and found this image of the Kee Bird remains that was shot in April, 2011:

Text from the page:

Quote:

B-29 Kee Bird

Between science waypoints during Operation IceBridge’s flight on April 29, 2011, the P-3 flew over the wreck of a B-29 named Kee Bird that crash-landed in Greenland in 1947.

Operation IceBridge, now in its third year, makes annual campaigns in the Arctic and Antarctic where science flights monitor glaciers, ice sheets and sea ice.

Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger

bcmj · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:03 am

What do you make of the photo, it looks like the tail section is sitting atop of the wing right in the center?
Barry

APG85 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:43 am

Looks like the wind has done a number on it. That wing appears to be sticking up at a strange angle...

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:50 am

Wind action and ice movements, Greenlands ice is a glacier and like rust, ice and water never sleep-

CraigQ · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:14 am

That's just sad..

ACMech · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2012 4:27 pm

Very sad story for sure, would have been great to have that airframe flying here in the states.

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:50 pm

I thought there was a story some time ago that Gary Larkins had went back there and salvaged just about everything he could for other B-29 projects! And had to clean up the mess that was left behind.

bgp429 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:53 pm

Yes, very sad. Have to give them a lot of credit for trying. They were so very close and just one little thing did them in.

cwmc · **Joined:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:43 am **Posts:** 322

They should've flown in a D2 and had a man grooming a runway the whole time they were there. That surface was as much a factor as Darryl or the APU.

I think I see Matt's toolbox.

Chris...

Iclo · **Posted:** Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:53 am

I don't want to blame the crew who made a fantastic job try tro ferry this bird, but I could understand the position of the authorities about retrieving more planes from there when you see what was left behind...

BAJ · **Joined:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:14 pm **Posts:** 126

Was given a DVD of the Kee Bird "recovery"....but just couldn't watch it....far too,too sad.....and annoyed at the same time at the needless "gun ho" attitude when a little extra time checking and re-checking before attempting a flight would have prevented such a needless loss

JFS61 · **Joined:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:44 pm **Posts:** 305

Iclo wrote:

I don't want to blame the crew who made a fantastic job try to ferry this bird, but I could understand the position of the authorities about retrieving more planes from there when you see what was left behind...

You're being a lot more charitable than myself in regards to those involved in the recovery operation.

groundpounder · **Posted:** Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:50 pm

I know this one has been beaten to death, but in hindsight i just cant get over the stupidity of trying to fly that thing out of there. I would think that the shock and awe value put on attempting to fly it from its found location in no way justified the risk. It could have been airlifted out in pieces to the airbase, gone through and re-assembled and flown out of there when it was truly ready to go. Being a mechanic myself, i cannot understand the mindset of overlooking a dangerous fuel supply in such a dodgy situation. These guys had put an entire aircraft back into flying condition and they cut corners on something as simple as a fuel tank for a power supply ???? Anyway, we all know this so i will clam up now.

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1028

It's just one example of poor decision making when it comes to warbird operation. Unfortunately there are a lot of other examples that ended just as badly or worse.

ACMech · **Posted:** Sun Sep 02, 2012 4:25 pm

Still it was a great loss of what could have been a great addition to the heavy bomber community,

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B-29 Kee Bird image from NASA (April, 2011)

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