Warbird Information Exchange

Some interesting stuff on this link...

Click on the tabs at the left (after getting on the link) for more pictures...

http://www.indepthconsulting.com/B29/B29Lost.htm

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

I hadn't seen the second batch of photos--thanks for posting the link, Scott.

I don't know why they are worried about the corrosion near the life raft stowage, B-29s know how to corrode on dry ground!

Here is what the Lake Mead airplane looked like when she rolled out of the factory--this airplane came off the Wichita line fifteen planes later:

Scott

Interesting stuff!

Other than the obvious crash damage, because of the ship's location in cold, calm, deep, fresh water, I'll bet she's is in a remarkably good state of preservation.

Cheers!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Too bad she can't be raised and restored.

She could be, but...frustrating that its been set aside as a dive site...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

One of the hotel channels in Vegas continually runs shows of local interest, to include Area 51 and this B-29. Seems like it's a History Channel-produced show. There is dive video and an interview with the last surviving crewman, a scientist who was running the "sun tracker" in an oversized astrodome. Apparently they were collecting data regarding atmospheric properties to help develop the first heat-seekers for missiles that were to become the AIM-9. The dive camera even floats inside the cabin for some cockpit shots - lots of silt - hard to make out much.

It was the show "Deepsea Detectives", one that I watched religiously before they stopped making further episodes, which is a shame. It's better than "Ax-Men", and "Ice Road Truckers" that have been on.

[quote="Second Air Force"]I hadn't seen the second batch of photos--thanks for posting the link, Scott.

I don't know why they are worried about the corrosion near the life raft stowage, B-29s know how to corrode on dry ground!

True, the B-29's corroded all over, but the life raft area was of special consideration because the seals around the hatches would deteriorate. Since these hatches were topside, directly over the main wing area, they would allow moisture into the wing root (both the Wichita and Renton styles of manufacture). The moisture would collect on the top wing skins, pool, leave any corrosive moisture sentiment, and not dry out easily because it was shaded by the fuselage. The upper wing skins would then rot. On the Wichita wings, this would be from W/S zero, to just inboard of the #2 or #3 engines; about 12 feet of skin on the left and another 12 feet on the right. There were three skins on the left and three on the right; for a total of six huge .190" thick formed skins. This was one of many big undertakings on Doc; drilling out thousands of large diameter DD icebox rivets, forming the three of the big skins, and installing them. I think two more needed repairs, and the sixth (one of the ones nearest the trailing edge) was ok. If I recall correctly, this area was unpainted unlike the spars; allowing direct contact with the moisture. I suppose the Renton B-29A design would have been easier to fix, as the skins are much shorter in that area...

Not the Lake Mead one, but another B-29 in a lake.

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Red

she needs to be recovered and flown!

Probably not a bad candidate being in freshwater.

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Red

Sadly it's probably a pretty bad candidate. It was damaged in a landing accident, gutted of anything usable and towed to that pond. It would be neat to see it removed though...

From my survivors list:

44-62214 LADY OF THE LAKE Submerged in pond on Eielson AFB, Alaska. Name not original to this aircraft and is simply a name the aircraft is referred to. Aircraft was damaged on landing after a gear failure on April 7, 1956. Aircraft was deemed not worthy of repair. After it was cannibalized for parts, it was towed to a frozen pond for use as a "ditched aircraft trainer". The pond turned out to be deeper than anyone thought and the aircraft is almost totally submerged. No recovery is planned.

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

I've done a bit of research on the Eielson airplane and two serial numbers are given depending on the source you look at. I am of the opinion that the Lady is actually 44-83905, a B-29B that served in the 331st Bombardment Group, 315th Wing, out of Guam. She was known as Shrewd Maneuver with the 331st, then eventually became a KB-29P.

The best way to determine if she is '905 or 44-62214 would be for someone to inspect the wing at the fuselage to determine if she is an A model or not. Any cold-water divers up there that want to take a dip? I'd really like to confirm her identity correctly for posterity.

The oddest thing about this airplane (to me) is that Baugher's site lists both serial numbers as the Eielson airplane.

Scott

That's it! I'm getting the tractor and chains. Shes coming out of that pond one way or another!

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

That's pretty much how she got in there, so we just need to reverse the process.