Barksdale B-24J

[APG85]

Hey, you're dream is real. Only it's a B-29, slightly damaged and it's at the bottom of Lake Meade. For some insane reason, the National Park Service is preserving it as a dive site and won't allow it to be recovered .

[Mark_Pilkington]

perhaps, before racing off to Anguar some effort could be made to restore those already in captivity but in desperate need of some attention before they rot into the ground?



http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b24registry/lb30-al557.html




regards

Mark Pilkington

[Canso42]

My good friend and neighbor Marty Huvar was stationed at Barksdale when 44-48781 was delivered. It was indeed slung under a CH-54 helo by means of taking an axe to the wing skins and running the lift straps around the wing spars.
There was one paragraph on it with one photo in the Liberator feature in Warbird Digest last year, #15. That was the one with Gary in 'Ol 927 on the cover and a nose art sidebar story by Django.
Doug

[Baldeagle]

In Leesburg, Virginia, as recently as 10 or 12 years ago there was a hot dog stand made from a section of B-24 fuselage. Several years ago I was there and it was gone.

[Dan Johnson II]

I would rather see the Yankee Air Museum get it. Nothing against the NASM, just that the whole reason that the YAM started was to get a B-24.

So what's stopping someone from making that happen? Considering the care that Yankee Lady gets, can anyone think of a better home for a Ford built B24 definately in need of care?

It would seem to me the USAFM folks would score nothing but points in helping to make that happen. Letting it rot outdoors like it is, seems a terrible waste.

I have to believe the Yankee Air Museum folks would be willing

[mustangdriver]

Is there anyone at Yankee that would be willing to contact the NMUSAF? Now they may not be allowed to fly it, but I think the folks at Yankee would be happy to have a Ford built B-24 in the collection.

[george]

Scott - I've heard about those two Forts outside of Oklahoma City. Another Fort was pulled from the vast storage yard at Altus and towed out to the country by some farmers, apparently for all the small parts that could be used on farm equipment. Wonder where that airframe is now?

[APG85]

I seriously doubt that the NMUSAF will let that plane go to any place other than another base associated museum or (maybe) the NASM under special circumstances like a trade. Just my opinion...

[mustangdriver]

I just was thinking that it may not hurt to try.

[APG85]

I just was thinking that it may not hurt to try.

Absolutely! The worst they can say is no. That plane certainly deserves better than to sit outside with it's engines exposed cowling-less. Look what Duxford was able to do with the Lackland B-24...

[Warbird Kid]

They way I see it, is that there are only two Ford built Liberators left, no? I hope that the YAF gets a chance to acquire one of these two aircraft to fly. Somehow in my head i see it as one of the greatest conclusions for one amazing museum! I mean, since this has been one of there biggest goals since the formation of museum. If they were to restore there severely ground bound Privateer into a presentable and an authentic looking B-24D/J and donate it one of the two museums, whose to say they cant receive 'there' true Liberator? Id hope for the 'powers at be' to just work in favor for us Warbird guys near and far, and especially on this one!

Last edited by Warbird Kid on Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[TAdan]

I just was thinking that it may not hurt to try.

Absolutely! The worst they can say is no.

*Cough* F-82 *cough*

[mustangdriver]

That would only take place if the Yankee Air Museum would then try to sell the B-24.

[tulsaboy]

Gary-

Scott's right about the B-24 parts in Stillwater. Kinda neat pieces, but nothing too substantial. The B-17's I've heard some stories about, mostly what Scott has said. Oklahoma is a big place, with a lot of big barns and rusty memories. Is it possible that there's some substantial piece sitting out there somewhere? Yes. Is it probable? No. But we can dream.

Below are the photos of the B-24 before its move from Tulsa. Should put any doubts to rest. I've got more photos somewhere, but this should do for now. A couple of news articles to go with the photos. Also, a note that explains that it was a C-118 that Sullenger traded for.

And thanks for the photos of the Corsairs! Now just need some of those B-24s...

And Mark, I agree- it would be great to go take care of that LB-30 if possible, but from what I've seen of its current condition (it's been moved into a storage yard, out of that field) it's basically just a pile of parts. Could be done with the right motivation, probably, but then we'd just have another lousy LB-30, wouldn't we?

kevin

[Second Air Force]

Notice that in Kevin's first photo of the Lib that the gun butt is in the background?

Scott