U.S. to restore diplomatic ties with Libya

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11330

Go get 'em Rob!!!! Stay out of Venezuela though.

Rob isn't the only one who has heard rumors of Axis aircraft in Libya. Let the satellite image searching begin!

frankspeaks · **Joined:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:52 pm **Posts:** 160

45 days and counting..... thats how long before normal relations will restart. ( according to the gubment )

setter · **Posted:** Mon May 15, 2006 11:24 pm

I will be very surprised if anything much is left - what the professional post war scrappers didn't get the locals got over the years - the proviso is that where there are dumes they can cover up aircraft occasionally

Regards
John P

phil65 · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 1:26 am

Isn't "Lady Be Good" in Libya?

setter · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 1:36 am

Whats left is - not well recovered though - wreckage really

Digger · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 5:53 am

Lady be good is currently sitting dismantled in a scrappers yard in tripoli I believe. I also have heard of numerous other US types scattered around the coastline. I had a good picture of a B25 lying parallel to some dunes, if I find it I'll post it.

I think Libya could surprise a few people.

cheers

digger

lmritger · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 6:54 am

I'm sure I'm only about 40 years too late, but what about Martuba and Ain-El-Gazala, two main bases of JG 27? I know there can't be much left, but if anyone happens to be looking around there and comes across a few random 109 parts, I'd sure love to give'em a good home...

This should prove to be pretty exciting, I think. Plus, it's good news for a change from that region of the world!

Lynn

Shay · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 7:24 am

Digger wrote:

Lady be good is currently sitting dismantled in a scrappers yard

Col. Rohr wrote:

As for the Lady she is sitting in the National Musuem compound I think you might see some sort of gift from the Liybain Goverment to the USAF for her.

Actually the compound she is in is a fenced Police compound in Tobruk. She was recovered by the Museum of Tobruk to prevent any more vandalism and deterioration of the aircraft. Which is odd because she looks like she was dismantled using chainsaws.

I'm not sure if you'll see her being gifted back to the U.S. just like we didn't see any aircraft gifted back from Korea. But what I do know is that Gary larkins on his http://www.airpirates.com website stated that efforts were alreadly underway to work out an agreement to recover LBG. I'm hopeful and optimistic because of Mr. Larkins provem track record. My personal opinion is that if she is recovered she should be restored to atleast Static if not Flying.

Anyways I hope it all works out in the end.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 7:39 am

Shay
I'd like it restored to the "as found" in the 50s. I think that would be a very cool display. It would also be a great remember of the MIA crews that are still out there. Kind of like the Boats still on patrol.

Tim

Shay · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 9:34 am

TimAPNY wrote:

Shay
I'd like it restored to the "as found" in the 50s. I think that would be a very cool display. It would also be a great remember of the MIA crews that are still out there. Kind of like the Boats still on patrol.

Tim

I agree it would make a great display definatly one of akind. The cons that I see with that idea is that it would turn out to be a pretty massive display and not too many museums have the luxury of space. Also since it would be displayed "as found" with a diorama it would be, for the most part, a permanent display without the ability of moving it easily. I still agree with you that it would make a cool display.

On the other hand she could become a flying memorial to all MIA crews. Restored and with ability to tour the air shows around the country she could bring her story aswell as the stories of other lost crews to those who would not otherwise get the chance to travel to which ever museum she ended up on display "as found".

I believe your idea has merit but I believe a greater good could be served if she were restored and felt the air under her landing gear again. Besides this route would bring another Liberator back to the skys.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 11:21 am

Beware the curse... Remember the C-47 and DHC-3 stories about LBG. :shock:

I was looking at some pieces of her at the USAFM in Dayton a few years ago and what's left of her should be in great shape (corrosion wise) but I suspect that short of a complete recreation, her flying days are long over. I hope somebody proves me wrong, though.

--------------------------------------------------------

Dan

wendovertom · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 11:26 am

Humm. . . there were a number of post war CIA ops out of Benghazi (sp?) including a number of B-29s. It might be interesting to see what turns up!

Tom P.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 11:29 am

Shay wrote:

TimAPNY wrote:

Shay
I'd like it restored to the "as found" in the 50s. I think that would be a very cool display. It would also be a great remember of the MIA crews that are still out there. Kind of like the Boats still on patrol.

Tim

I agree it would make a great display definatly one of akind. The cons that I see with that idea is that it would turn out to be a pretty massive display and not too many museums have the luxury of space. Also since it would be displayed "as found" with a diorama it would be, for the most part, a permanent display without the ability of moving it easily. I still agree with you that it would make a cool display.

On the other hand she could become a flying memorial to all MIA crews. Restored and with ability to tour the air shows around the country she could bring her story aswell as the stories of other lost crews to those who would not otherwise get the chance to travel to which ever museum she ended up on display "as found".

I believe your idea has merit but I believe a greater good could be served if she were restored and felt the air under her landing gear again. Besides this route would bring another Liberator back to the skys.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

I'll never complain about another flying B-24. If it could get out to the people its value could be much greater to tell the story. But I'll be happy anyway it returns home (as long as I don't get to drink soda out of it).

Tim

Shay · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 11:31 am

Dan Jones wrote:

I suspect that short of a complete recreation, her flying days are long over.

Dan

Several aircraft over the years have been as you call it "recreated". Does that make them anyless pertenant? I don't believe so. Either way it goes some degree of recreation is going to have to happen.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Tue May 16, 2006 12:34 pm

Yeah, essentially you'd end up tearing LBG's remains apart for patterns, after which you'd have a newly constructed B-24. Meanwhile all of the original LBG material (minus a few castings & fittings) would consequently end up at the roadside awaiting the scrap man. I applaud the desire to see her spirit resurrected, but in reality it's just another ironic method of eradicating relics (even if they are tattered) to the dump IMO.

You can do this with planes like "Glacier Girl" because the recovery and restoration is what made the story and the relevant history for that particular plane. The Lady Be Good's historic relevance OTOH is already established and written in blood, and the image of her wreckage has always been what told the story. I figure it would be more prudent to preserve what remains of the original touchstone rather than trashing it in efforts to recreate a faux version of her to parade out on the air show scene. You can’t argue that the image of her wreckage is what has always told the story. It would be a travesty to see that same wreckage being picked up by the recycler just so we could fool ourselves into believing the Lade Be Good has somehow been miraculously resurrected.

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U.S. to restore diplomatic ties with Libya

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