By: PBY-5A
- 8th August 2009 at 02:34Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
[QUOTE=tankbarrell;1443554]
But the shadow you can see on the ice is clearly the shadow of a DH-4 Caribou, possibly the (Kee Bird II) same one used for the operation?
QUOTE]
It looks like a C-130 to me.
On closer inspection, i think your right. The caribou's vertical stab. is a lot more angular.
Come to think of it i think C-130's have been sporadically stationed at Thule AFB.
It just makes me wonder when these pics were really taken and possible reasons?
New
By: Anonymous
- 8th August 2009 at 18:00Permalink- Edited 15th February 2020 at 18:36
If I was stationed within reasonable flying distance, I'd want to be nosey and fly over to have a look. Perhaps the C-130 crew were just curious.
By: Boeing B-29
- 11th December 2012 at 22:52Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
B-29 in water in Holland
As there is already a complete B29 in Holland (in which they have no interest), I am sure that no Kee Bird parts made it to Holland. Those parts by by the way, were all in place where Kee Bird ended or 2 years ago.
By: Michael Hjorth
- 21st January 2015 at 11:03Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Kee Bird is still in Greenland:
In September 2014 I had the pleasant fortune to visit Washington Land in NW Greenland - and the Kee Bird site! She still sits in the middle of shallow lake (c. 3 feet deep).
With 20 cm of clear ice on the lake it was easy to walk to the aircraft and take a few photos.
As mentioned above, the tail are now lying upside down in front. Possibly blown over in a storm.
One thing puzzles me: In the Nova film we see how they change the old bend propellers with new black ones (which did not get harmed or bend during the fire). But the propellers mounted now are clearly not the same. They are the old and bend ones. Why would Greenameyer replace them again...?!
A few pictures:
Regards
Michael Hjorth
Copenhagen
New
By: Anonymous
- 21st January 2015 at 11:33Permalink- Edited 15th February 2020 at 18:37
Were the props borrowed for the recovery, and needed to be returned? Still odd to refit the old ones to the wreck if this is the case.
By: stuart gowans
- 21st January 2015 at 12:04Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I watched this quite recently, and have been wondering, was it ever going to get up off that "runway;" (I use the word advisedly) looking at the fire, and the lack of action to fight it, the question in my mind is "was it insured"?
By: ericmunk
- 21st January 2015 at 12:11Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I watched this quite recently, and have been wondering, was it ever going to get up off that "runway;" (I use the word advisedly) looking at the fire, and the lack of action to fight it, the question in my mind is "was it insured"?
It very likely would have, and it was not insured. A good read on the venture is Hunting Warbirds, by Carl Hoffmann.
By: richw_82
- 21st January 2015 at 14:05Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Michael, those photos and your video are fantastic! Thanks for posting them, and may we see more?
The propellers aren't the originals, the ones removed as seen on the documentary had blade cuffs at the root. Some (okay, a lot..) of the damage looks to be deliberate, and that was my thought with the bent prop blades. My guess is the bulldozer had a stab at what was left, and wind and erosion has done for the rest - including paint off the blades themselves.
The site doesn't look to have been cleaned up much.
By: wingsmuseumUK
- 21st January 2015 at 17:12Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes thanks for sharing, and think we would all like to see more, personally I would love to see something B-29 in the Wings Museum (or parts of at least!!)
By: Michael Hjorth
- 21st January 2015 at 21:09Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thnx for the kind words.
It was indeed extraordinary to be this far north in a kind of in-between-season. But actually the best/only season to visit The Bird: No show cover, and lakeice the walk on!
Weather was fantastic, with clear sky, light wind and -5 deg C / 23 deg F.
Here comes a few more from same or different angles. I will refrain from comments, as my knowledge about the aircraft is low.
By: Michael Hjorth
- 21st January 2015 at 21:36Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Our reason for being in Washington Land / North Greenland was for demobilizing a mineral exploration camp close to Petermann Glacier. The gear and fuel was slung c. 50 miles down to Cass Fjord and barged out. Position of Kee Bird is c. 50 miles further east.
I put some simple video clips together from our work, finishing (at 8 minutes) with footage of Kee Bird. Enjoy:
By: Michael Hjorth
- 22nd January 2015 at 08:55Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
@Michel: Of cause, no problem!
I was thinking: Kee Bird history IS a good story, and many people have an interest and feelings about it. So those pictures should get a larger audience.
The cat is of cause already out, but maybe it can still be guided in a sensible direction?! Anyone who has an idea of a magazine in US who would publish?
By: Propstrike
- 22nd January 2015 at 12:45Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Michael,
Contact Key Publishing, surely they would love to feature this? Flypast sells worldwide.
I would approach National Geographic, it is right up their street, ie strong geographical context, environmental issues, and a compelling human interest aspect.
By: richw_82
- 22nd January 2015 at 13:06Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
i'd be tempted to do both. Kee Bird's a hot topic to aviation enthusiasts, not many of them purchase National Geographic.
New
Posts: 3,208
By: Mike J
- 22nd January 2015 at 13:10Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I would approach National Geographic, it is right up their street, ie strong geographical context, environmental issues, and a compelling human interest aspect.
A little research shows that NG do not accept unsolicited submissions.
Posts: 144
By: PBY-5A - 8th August 2009 at 02:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
[QUOTE=tankbarrell;1443554]
On closer inspection, i think your right. The caribou's vertical stab. is a lot more angular.
Come to think of it i think C-130's have been sporadically stationed at Thule AFB.
It just makes me wonder when these pics were really taken and possible reasons?
By: Anonymous - 8th August 2009 at 18:00 Permalink - Edited 15th February 2020 at 18:36
If I was stationed within reasonable flying distance, I'd want to be nosey and fly over to have a look. Perhaps the C-130 crew were just curious.
Steve
Posts: 1
By: Boeing B-29 - 11th December 2012 at 22:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
B-29 in water in Holland
Were exactly is the B-29 in the water in Holland?
Posts: 10,647
By: pagen01 - 12th December 2012 at 08:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
This one at the bottom of the water, Zeeland, http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=121025
What became of the story of chunks of 'Kee Bird' moving to Holland?
Posts: 5
By: Michael Hjorth - 21st January 2015 at 11:03 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Kee Bird is still in Greenland:
In September 2014 I had the pleasant fortune to visit Washington Land in NW Greenland - and the Kee Bird site! She still sits in the middle of shallow lake (c. 3 feet deep).
With 20 cm of clear ice on the lake it was easy to walk to the aircraft and take a few photos.
As mentioned above, the tail are now lying upside down in front. Possibly blown over in a storm.
One thing puzzles me: In the Nova film we see how they change the old bend propellers with new black ones (which did not get harmed or bend during the fire). But the propellers mounted now are clearly not the same. They are the old and bend ones. Why would Greenameyer replace them again...?!
A few pictures:
Regards
Michael Hjorth
Copenhagen
By: Anonymous - 21st January 2015 at 11:33 Permalink - Edited 15th February 2020 at 18:37
Were the props borrowed for the recovery, and needed to be returned? Still odd to refit the old ones to the wreck if this is the case.
Posts: 3,902
By: Propstrike - 21st January 2015 at 11:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Really great report and photos - welcome to the forum, Michael.
Its such a sad tale, but very interesting to see how things are now.
Posts: 2,025
By: stuart gowans - 21st January 2015 at 12:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I watched this quite recently, and have been wondering, was it ever going to get up off that "runway;" (I use the word advisedly) looking at the fire, and the lack of action to fight it, the question in my mind is "was it insured"?
Posts: 1,755
By: ericmunk - 21st January 2015 at 12:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It very likely would have, and it was not insured. A good read on the venture is Hunting Warbirds, by Carl Hoffmann.
Posts: 1,665
By: richw_82 - 21st January 2015 at 14:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Michael, those photos and your video are fantastic! Thanks for posting them, and may we see more?
The propellers aren't the originals, the ones removed as seen on the documentary had blade cuffs at the root. Some (okay, a lot..) of the damage looks to be deliberate, and that was my thought with the bent prop blades. My guess is the bulldozer had a stab at what was left, and wind and erosion has done for the rest - including paint off the blades themselves.
The site doesn't look to have been cleaned up much.
Kind regards,
Rich
Posts: 818
By: wingsmuseumUK - 21st January 2015 at 17:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes thanks for sharing, and think we would all like to see more, personally I would love to see something B-29 in the Wings Museum (or parts of at least!!)
Posts: 5
By: Michael Hjorth - 21st January 2015 at 21:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thnx for the kind words.
It was indeed extraordinary to be this far north in a kind of in-between-season. But actually the best/only season to visit The Bird: No show cover, and lakeice the walk on!
Weather was fantastic, with clear sky, light wind and -5 deg C / 23 deg F.
Here comes a few more from same or different angles. I will refrain from comments, as my knowledge about the aircraft is low.
Michael
Posts: 5
By: Michael Hjorth - 21st January 2015 at 21:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Our reason for being in Washington Land / North Greenland was for demobilizing a mineral exploration camp close to Petermann Glacier. The gear and fuel was slung c. 50 miles down to Cass Fjord and barged out. Position of Kee Bird is c. 50 miles further east.
I put some simple video clips together from our work, finishing (at 8 minutes) with footage of Kee Bird. Enjoy:
http://vimeo.com/113048792
Posts: 3,902
By: Propstrike - 21st January 2015 at 23:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Until you watch the video footage, you just do not quite appreciate just how desolate and remote the site is.
Cracking bit of film, Go-Pro perhaps ? It's only Jan 21st, but I say ''Post of the Year '' (so far...:) )
Posts: 77
By: Michel Lemieux - 22nd January 2015 at 03:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Michael...mind if I link the video?
http://vimeo.com/106871067
Posts: 5
By: Michael Hjorth - 22nd January 2015 at 08:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
@Michel: Of cause, no problem!
I was thinking: Kee Bird history IS a good story, and many people have an interest and feelings about it. So those pictures should get a larger audience.
The cat is of cause already out, but maybe it can still be guided in a sensible direction?! Anyone who has an idea of a magazine in US who would publish?
Posts: 1,665
By: richw_82 - 22nd January 2015 at 09:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Michael,
Contact Key Publishing, surely they would love to feature this? Flypast sells worldwide.
Posts: 3,902
By: Propstrike - 22nd January 2015 at 12:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I would approach National Geographic, it is right up their street, ie strong geographical context, environmental issues, and a compelling human interest aspect.
Posts: 1,665
By: richw_82 - 22nd January 2015 at 13:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
i'd be tempted to do both. Kee Bird's a hot topic to aviation enthusiasts, not many of them purchase National Geographic.
Posts: 3,208
By: Mike J - 22nd January 2015 at 13:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
A little research shows that NG do not accept unsolicited submissions.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/siteindex/submissions-faq/