B-29 kee bird questions

[sandiego89]

One thing we need to remember is not all people have the same knowledge base, may be new to the scene and just need a simple point in the right direction. The Kee-Bird may still be fresh and emotional to many, or it may be the first time someone heard about it. Many special interest forums tend to have a whole host of "experts" that see things like this as old news, but unfortunately some of these folks are quick to shoot newbies down with abandon. I prefer providing education.

We still have people and journalists discovering something "new" like the Soplata collection, buried spitfires, a new clue in the Amelia Earhart case, etc, and folks ask a question or want to discuss it on the forum- and others shut them down without education. I say refer them to a source, a prior entry, educate them WHY this is BS or do something more creative than saying we don't need to talk about it.

[Chris Brame]

There's something to be said for pulling an old plane off of the tundra, slapping some new engines on it and flying it out to a glorious welcome. What a sight it would have made...

Well, there's still Lodestar CF-CPA, if the project ever gets started up again...

(image via wingsmagazine.com)

[maxum96]

The Nova documentary was great, but you can tell that they had to cut a lot of footage. The Book Hunting Warbirds provides some more insight on this recovery effort (for those who have not read this yet).

http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Warbirds- ... g+warbirds

Thanks for the info. I just ordered that book used off Amazon for $4.38. Can't go wrong there.

[JohnH]

One thing we need to remember is not all people have the same knowledge base, may be new to the scene and just need a simple point in the right direction. The Kee-Bird may still be fresh and emotional to many, or it may be the first time someone heard about it. Many special interest forums tend to have a whole host of "experts" that see things like this as old news, but unfortunately some of these folks are quick to shoot newbies down with abandon. I prefer providing education.

We still have people and journalists discovering something "new" like the Soplata collection, buried spitfires, a new clue in the Amelia Earhart case, etc, and folks ask a question or want to discuss it on the forum- and others shut them down without education. I say refer them to a source, a prior entry, educate them WHY this is BS or do something more creative than saying we don't need to talk about it.

Thanks. That makes sense and is probably why someone wouldn't know the full details about a heavy fragment crash that there's no chance of a rebuild.

[marine air]

NEWSFLASH * PRESIDENT LINCOLN* NEWSFLASH" This just in, "President Lincoln still dead!" Remember that SNL news skit with Dan Akroyd and Gilda Radner? And "Jane the ignorant slut" that's why I check into dead topics. NO disrespect intended to those that post, it just a curiosity, what could they possibly find anew in a dead topic? You know that freighter DC-3 that landed in the short of the runway in saltwater in the Caribbean. Well it's still there and not one person with money is going after it. I'd like to see a little cemetary list with crosses of the airplanes that ain't coming back. And twenty years from now, their status won't have changed.

I'm going to issue a 2015 Challenge; Want to get into the game? Rescue or rebuild something? If you show up with a 501C3 letter from a museum or tax exempt organization I will donate one of these two items, your choice;

1) starter group of items to build up your own military airport jeep. Early M-38 wheels with mounted NDT tires, radio, whip antenna, seat cushions, spark plugs and wires,straps, hardware,stencils, lots of stuff you need to convert a civilian jeep to a military look. Value $2,000, Free , come get it. OR

2) Heintz 601HD light sport aircraft, starter kit. 5 years old with serial number, blueprints, tail empennage kit, rudder and wing spars. still in the box. Value $2,000. Free, bring tax exempt letter and come get.

3) Whomever shows up will get some extra items thrown in the pot to sweeten the deal.

Gas in Tennessee is $1.81 a gallon today and hotels in my town are $35 bucks. If that is too much you can overnight at my house and eat our food. Any serious inquiries can pm me to get my phone number and address and schedule pickup. Will throw in free ropes and boards if needed. There are "talkers" and there are "Doers" , and this is a good opportunity for someone.

[whistlingdeath77]

Glad to see that education is still lacking in Tennessee

[jspott]

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Last edited by jspott on Sat Jan 03, 2015 6:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

[cooper9411]

WOW! When I joined this site I was under the impression that it was an open forum to discuss EVERYTHING warbirds. I was not aware that it was a site to bash others opinions or dreams. So what some of us have had the experience of working on or salvaging warbirds and some others have only dreamt of it or enjoyed our exploits through our posts. So what Kee-Bird has been talked about many times, or the Soplata collection talked about many times. People should take the time to realize that maybe each time a topic is talked about there very well may be something new we've not known about and with every rumor there is a bit of truth within that rumor. I'm by no means as knowledgeable as others on here and I'm more knowledgeable than others but does that make those who know more better than me, or me better than those that aren't as knowledgeable? NO! Why don't we WIXers all get back to what this site was intended for, sharing a passion for warbirds? I've posted many times on this site and I've never tried to offend anyone and if I did I apologize. There's been threads on here that I didn't agree with but that does not give me or anyone the right to question others passion, knowledge, educational background, or way of life. Thanks to all who read this and I certainly hope we can continue to share with each other here.on WIX!

.02 worth

[whistlingdeath77]

Does anyone know if the entire crew has passed away? Possibly including others who have flown on the kee bird on a separate time

[APG85]

Does anyone know if the entire crew has passed away? Possibly including others who have flown on the kee bird on a separate time

Not up to date, but here's a link to the crew:

http://www.b29keebird.net/main.html

[K5DH]

I was not aware that it was a site to bash others opinions or dreams.

Wait... what? You mean WIXers do that kinda stuff? Oh, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy! Please say it isn't so!

Sarcasm... a free service I offer!

[p51]

I was not aware that it was a site to bash others opinions or dreams.

Yeah, that's pretty much every site.
Welcome to the internet.

[N3Njeff]

The Nova documentary was great, but you can tell that they had to cut a lot of footage. The Book Hunting Warbirds provides some more insight on this recovery effort (for those who have not read this yet).

http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Warbirds- ... g+warbirds

The entire first expedition, where they jacked the airplane (in the lake), lowered the landing gear and got one of the original engines to run, was not covered in the Nova documentary. I think they even used a helicopter to lift barrels and place them on the tail (horizontal stabilizer) to weigh the tail down enough so that the nose would raise high enough to lower the nose gear. This was either in the book or a magazine article I read...

Or by me as I have typed this very information more than once on this topic. Yes the Nova documentary has painted a pretty picture of this tragic story. But seeing the behind the scenes footage, that pretty picture become just like ODDBALL with his paint ammo.
Money was not on their side on this. If it were still there, Paul Allen would have had a much better chance at getting it off using the same method if he so choose.
I am sure that if someday someone decides to go up and fund the recovery of what is left, a large batch of lawyers will be knocking at their door to claim what is theirs. I will be the first to notify a family friend who had 30K in Propeller parts go to the bottom of the lake and he has the paperwork and salvage rights to prove it. Im not a betting man but I am pretty sure those "0" time engines had the same following.

[p51]

Money was not on their side on this. If it were still there, Paul Allen would have had a much better chance at getting it off using the same method if he so choose.

Now that you mention it, I wonder if Paul Allen ever sits and thinks, "Man, I should have sent my guys up there with all the stuff they'd need, I'd have a B-29 by now if I'd had..."

[PinecastleAAF]

Now that you mention it, I wonder if Paul Allen ever sits and thinks, "Man, I should have sent my guys up there with all the stuff they'd need, I'd have a B-29 by now if I'd had..."

Did he have guys then? I thought he was a relative newcomer to the game but boy time does fly. He might still be the best candidate since a team of lawyers will be needed, plus a c-47 with skis.