Warbird Information Exchange

Something I've been pondering ever since the revolution in Libya is whether the U.S. could recover the Lady Be Good. I've been thinking about it ever since shortly after the recent war ended. I know it's a long shot, but hear me out.

I've seen the pictures of it sitting in Libyan junkyards, and I can't stop thinking that she deserves better. I figure that since the conflict in Libya is over and the Libyans seem genuinely grateful for our involvement, we might be able to convince them to hand it over. I mean to them it's just a hunk of metal, right? They really wouldn't care if we brought it home.

Now, I also realize that there isn't much left of the airframe as it stands and what to do with it after we recover it is a problem. I would advcate for an "as is" display - display it the way it was after it crashed, when it was found in the desert. (As this model is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:B-24_ ... Museum.jpg) Similar to the Halifax on display at Hendon (W1048). (And while I'm on the subject, that would be cool to do to the recently discovered Egyptian P-40...if there is anything left of it when it is recovered.)

And since it will come up in the discussion, no, I do not believe that the tragedy at our consulate proves that the Libyans are not friendly toward us. Actually, considering the outpouring of support for the U.S. after the attacks, I find it bolsters my belief.

(Apparently, I'm not the only one who has had this idea:
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... dy+be+good
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43045

I searched the forum for previous discussions, but these didn't come up. Then I began writing this post, searched the internet in general for a picture I could use, and found the discussions. Hope I don't irritate anyone too much - this is my first time starting a thread.)

_________________
Tri-State Warbird Museum Collections Manager & Museum Attendant

Warbird Philosophy Webmaster

Deleted by MOD

_________________
A man's got to know his limitations.

Some nice images here taken a few years ago

http://www.rommelinlibya.com/ladybegood/lbgphotos.html

_________________
Classic Wings Magazine

https://www.classicwings.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ClassicWingsMagazine/

Preserved Axis Aircraft

http://www.classicwings.com

Not a 'junkyard'. The remains were brought to a Tripoli police compound to halt the depredations by souveniring - much of which ended up in the west.

That rebuts the view that the Libyans didn't care about it. Now of course it is a different authority in the country.

The US has no residual interest nor retains rights over the aircraft; by the fact a recovery was not attempted soon after the discovery of the aircraft means that a lack of intent has been shown.

If a US institution or individual wished to obtain the wreck remains, a polite negotiation would be the way to go; but as in the thread re the Operation Bolero aircraft, assumption of Libyan disinterest and US (or other) 'rights' over the aircraft, and talk of 'recovery' all sends the wrong signals.

Just my opinion, of course.

Regards,

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Forget that bird ever coming out.The new regime will likely never entertain any ideas of dealing with anyone from the west.

_________________
Hang The Expense

Deleted by MOD. Not Really about LBG.

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

I don't know about the Libyans, but there's a list of people whose comments on WIX won't help anyone's international trade.

Thanks for the post airnutz.

Quite.

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Looking at the pictures in the link above, did anyone else notice that there are 4 bladed props lying next to the Lady? All the other B-24s I have seen had 3 blades... Possibly from a different aircraft and just thrown in?

Good spot! Yes, they're nothing to do with the Lady be Good.

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

I will always be fascinated by the LBG however I still stand by my WIX post of Nov 2011:

"This won't be a popular observation, but it is my honest opinion.

Other than the most dedicated warbird/history buffs, the Lady Be Good story and the aircraft itself are little more than passing tales in an increasingly short-attention-span society, just as there are an unlimited number of topics that have passed each of us over the years (news, science, literature, etc) that have mostly been forgotten.

Compare photos of LBG in 1959 and now. At the hands of mankind, she has atrophied into a heap, barely what could be called a "shell" and barely recognizable as a B-24. Although appropriate measures to preserve what is left should be taken to honor her crew's sacrifice, my enthusiasm to hurry up to fund and create a historical diorama or museum display (particularly outside of Libya) has dwindled to near zero. What do you say to visitors? It's not like the climate or a storm damaged her, it was strictly the selfishness of vandals and lack of action by nation(s) that, admittedly, had more pressing issues than to recover her from her remote resting place. I would not care to see parts added to her to help represent her appearance in 1959. Considering the amount of effort and funds needed to do something on a level many of us initially envisioned as worthy of LBG story, I would rather see those resources put towards another project. I hate to say it, but it is now true.

Sometimes we miss opportunities and they are gone forever. That is what we have here. I'll continue to be fascinated with the story, interested in the artifacts, and deeply solemn remembering the sacrifices of her crew, but I will do those things through books, photos, visits to the artifacts at NMUSAF (and elsewhere in the US), through thoughts, and with words. What I see in that compound today no longer represents much of the LBG to me. Similar to the torched superstructure of the USS Arizona that lies hidden on Waipio Peninsula, the remnants should be preserved (not scrapped) but as far as a the LBG being a museum centerpiece, I no longer see that as a viable alternative - I see it as a missed opportunity."

Ken

_________________
"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

I'm glad to see that I didn't irritate people too much by bringing up a topic that has already been talked over twice.

I'm also glad to see that everyone here doesn't have the same views as Phil...

But enough of that.

As I have been looking back over some LBG info I realized I had a question about the "engine" NMUSAF has - which one is it?

_________________
Tri-State Warbird Museum Collections Manager & Museum Attendant

Warbird Philosophy Webmaster

Deleted by MOD

Unfortunately, I think LBG is just scrap metal now.

_________________
A man's got to know his limitations.

The NMUSAF website doesn't seem to specify. The engine was apparently recovered by a British expedition, and eventually donated to the museum. The gearbox is missing, but I think it was removed rather than wrenched off in the crash, as photos of the site in its original state show all four props still attached. I've noticed that most of the desert tan paint is worn away, revealing the original olive drab..more likely due to handling while then engine was being disassembled for examination and testing than exposure to weather.

SN

Well, they all can't be saved and this one now falls under that category. If this plane was to be saved, its time has come and gone.

Let it be

Can't be 1 or 4. Based on the famous Vulcan flyover photo & Richard Davis' work from 1990, I'd say NMUSAF has #2.

_________________
"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."