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.

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?

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”.

I think what really justifies underwater recovery operations is the rarity of the aircraft. For example the Halifax in Norway . If it very similiar to existing on land projects I really do not believe the funding will be available.

I think thats true, at least for larger aircraft.

I’m pretty sure people would pull a fair condition Mustang from the waters, even if there are plenty around.

I have only heard about the Halifax from Norway, do you have any links to it?

Alright Time to end this discussion as Dave point out there was a rather large discussion on it on Wixs but since you feel you need to discuss this more then here let me explain it to you from one of the person who had was part of the group trying to raise her.

The airframe is owned by The Dept. of Interior who have declared it an Historical Site it now listed on The National Historical Act under both Section 106 and 110. Congress has declared it off limits and the only way that it can be recover is one Congress pass a bill to allow it and second the President sign it off.

So end of discussion move on nothing to see here folks.

Who are you to feel you need to end any discussion here?

I don’t give a dime for the discussion on WIX – This is not WIX.

If you took the time to read the original post, you would see that it was not just about the Lake Mead B-29, it was about large scale recovery vs restoration of stored aircraft.

That we post a few laughs about the Lake Mead is simply the tone of the post. Nothing serious, but odd and ends about recovery.

Don’t police the board, add your bit, or simply move along – thanks.