Lake Mead B-29 recovery discussion

Is there any group out there with the means and facilities to properly restore and display a B-29 which hasn’t got one already?

Thats a very valid question.

I’m pretty sure none of the museums have a B-29 emergency fund, in case they suddenly need to preserve (not nessesarily restore) a new bird.

Where would the money come from?

Collections through the various “historic aviation” support groups (like “Friends of “), are most likely already collecting from the people, who would be likely to give. There are only a limited number of private persons, who would give money to these kinds of operations and i would think most are already members of one or two.

Would there be any individuals?

Thats a vild guess. New millionairs are made every day (others loose millions every day), so maybe there is a new Paul Allen one day.

Corporations?

Again I would like to think, that those corporations who are likely to spend money on such a project, have already been approached by other projects. Its my understanding, that its hard to find corporate funding for any such project, so adding another project would not make it easier.

But since there seem to have been a recovery attempt (at least a plan) already, where did they get their funding, and did they have agreements on full restoration funding, or just the recovery?

There might be a few recovery project left, who could really gather interest, but is a relativly anonymous B-29 one of them – I don’t think so.

Is there any group out there with the means and facilities to properly restore and display a B-29 which hasn’t got one already?

Security issues….
Sorry Rob but I dont see from what you say that it is secure.. what is stopping someone from taking anythinn from the B29 and recovering it without the parks knowledge? It was my understanding that some parts had been taken shortly before the Parks got involved to protect it? If it is secured with cameras as you say then this should not be a problem..

Well first is the location you need a certain type of boat to get to the location, next before one can dive in Lake Mead you need to fill out an application and get it approve in advance next you must sign in and out with the Park Service Station when you Dive.

As for what was taken the only items that I know that were taken and we recovered was a seat from the cockpit area and one of some parts that had come loss from the impact on the lake bottom. All of these ahve been recovered and are held in storage. What I’m to understand ius that these items will/have gone on display in the building that has the History of the B-29.

Security issues….
Sorry Rob but I dont see from what you say that it is secure.. what is stopping someone from taking anythinn from the B29 and recovering it without the parks knowledge? It was my understanding that some parts had been taken shortly before the Parks got involved to protect it? If it is secured with cameras as you say then this should not be a problem..

First an explanation…..
What I am about to ask is not meant to cause problems poke fun or waggle a finger at anyone .

Just exactly how can you “maintain” an aircraft wrecksite that is in a lake??

Peter,

I’ll try to explain as best as I can understand what the Park Service is doing. First they have made it if you want to dive you have receive written permission your allowed to take all the photos and video you wish but can’t remove anything from the site.

Next with the video cameras that they have they can keep a check on the condition of the airframe as most of you know this is Man made Lake that has sort of weird water current that goes from the top of the lake to the bottom of the lake. When they open and close the Damn it cause underwater ripples and in the past it has depending on how much water is let in or out move the airframe.

Peter, I was thinking the same thing.

What they mean might be that they protect it and maintain it as a “historic” site.

“Hi Cousteau, check the tire pressure on the B-29 would you?

First an explanation…..
What I am about to ask is not meant to cause problems poke fun or waggle a finger at anyone .

Just exactly how can you “maintain” an aircraft wrecksite that is in a lake??

Ok, it’s an interesting opportunity but on the other hand who is interested enough to spend a lot of money on a B29 while there are a reasonably large number of these about. Cost, space, equipment etc. will be a tough nut to crack. These sites will probably only be interesting if a very rare or extinct aircraft is down there such as the German Heinkel 177. A Lancaster (or it should be a very historic one, such as a 617 Sq aircraft) even won’t tickle most people even. An intact Stirling, now that would the holy grail for the UK movement (and the majority outside it as well)

Single or twin-engined will be much more easier and more interesting for would be recoverers.

But, there are still people who have dreams and aim to fulfull them.

Cheers

Cees

Well my dream would be a Focke-Wulf Fw 200.

There are plenty of Stirlings in the waters around Denmark, but most of them crashed, so i doubt there will be more than a small dive site to find.

I will see if there should be one or two, who are reported ditched, but surely there are ditched Stirlings all over the place. Are none located, or are none in a condition where recovery is feasible?

I think I’ve grown up now Rob;)

Cheers

Cees

Yes I think we both have realize that while I think its safe to say we would like to see everything recovered, the truth is that they can’t do to what every reason.

So how goes your little project anyway. I’m still fighting the good fight with the navy but even their I have learn to let other’s help.:eek:

I think I’ve grown up now Rob;)

Cheers

Cees

Ok, it’s an interesting opportunity but on the other hand who is interested enough to spend a lot of money on a B29 while there are a reasonably large number of these about. Cost, space, equipment etc. will be a tough nut to crack. These sites will probably only be interesting if a very rare or extinct aircraft is down there such as the German Heinkel 177. A Lancaster (or it should be a very historic one, such as a 617 Sq aircraft) even won’t tickle most people even. An intact Stirling, now that would the holy grail for the UK movement (and the majority outside it as well)

Single or twin-engined will be much more easier and more interesting for would be recoverers.

But, there are still people who have dreams and aim to fulfull them.

Cheers

Cees

Oh Come on Cee’s,

This isn’t the Cees I recall who cares how much it cost let go get them remember that motto:D :diablo:

Ok, it’s an interesting opportunity but on the other hand who is interested enough to spend a lot of money on a B29 while there are a reasonably large number of these about. Cost, space, equipment etc. will be a tough nut to crack. These sites will probably only be interesting if a very rare or extinct aircraft is down there such as the German Heinkel 177. A Lancaster (or it should be a very historic one, such as a 617 Sq aircraft) even won’t tickle most people even. An intact Stirling, now that would the holy grail for the UK movement (and the majority outside it as well)

Single or twin-engined will be much more easier and more interesting for would be recoverers.

But, there are still people who have dreams and aim to fulfull them.

Cheers

Cees

wow, you have a real bee up the backside about the WIX forum.

Fact…. the world does not revolve around WIX nor is every keyboard enthusiast a member there.

Other forii are available. :rolleyes:

With out going to far off topic I will address this one with a quick history lesson.

Do you know the History of Wixs/Warbird Resource Group if not then here let me explain it to you.

First before there ever was any other Warbird related forums there was The original Warbird World Wide Forum which became Vintage Aircraft Forum and then it became WRG/Wixs so yes allot of stuff does and has revolved around the various forms of Wixs over the past 20 Years.

Well, if somebody is interested in a B29 in Europe, there is one in Holland in 30 meters deep water. It ditched there in 48, and sank after floating 1 1/2 hours, so it can’t be that damaged.

Oh man I recall that one, wasn’t their some sort of Enviro reason that it can’t be recovered, I know we discussed her on Flypast I’ll see if I can find the thread.

If it floated for over 90 minutes, so it must be rather intact. Posted the story severall years ago on the forum, don’t have the details at hand here, it is in my old, crashed, computer.

I remember hearing about this one. How intact is it now though?

Well, if somebody is interested in a B29 in Europe, there is one in Holland in 30 meters deep water. It ditched there in 48, and sank after floating 1 1/2 hours, so it can’t be that damaged.

I’m sure there are plenty of people interested in such a B-29. Can you give us any more information?

I know there are quite a few bombers in Danish waters, but most of them hit the water hard, or in so low waters, that they were scrapped from boats. Still there are some that ditched and sank slowly. Not sure about the status on them, but divers have found some (although most dive clubs here keep those things as inside information).

BTW regarding the little “flaming” we had going earlier, i realise that the title was a bad choice, since i intended this thread to be something like “talk about a Lake Mead B-29 TYPE recovery”.

Well, if somebody is interested in a B29 in Europe, there is one in Holland in 30 meters deep water. It ditched there in 48, and sank after floating 1 1/2 hours, so it can’t be that damaged.

wow, you have a real bee up the backside about the WIX forum.

Fact…. the world does not revolve around WIX nor is every keyboard enthusiast a member there.

Other forii are available. :rolleyes:

To be fair there is a hell of a lot of info about the USA and pacific area on the WIX. While I appreciate the fact that a lot of people are loyal to “their” board, any information is useful.

It wasn’t just WIX he suggested searching on either.

Ric

…. I think we have had many discussion on this topic both here and Wixs so you might want to try the search engine first.

wow, you have a real bee up the backside about the WIX forum.

Fact…. the world does not revolve around WIX nor is every keyboard enthusiast a member there.

Other forii are available. :rolleyes: