B-25 to be recovered from Alaska

TAdan · **Posted:** Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:47 am

Saw this item announced on Facebook this week.

Looks like a group is going to recover a former fire-bomber B-25 (44-30733) that was forced down on a sand bar in Alaska.

Here is their website. http://www.sandbarmitchell.org/

Dan K · **Posted:** Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:09 am

If Pat's involved, you know it's a good deal. :wink:

Perhaps Ric Gillespie could join the recovery team and learn how it's done. :axe:

http://www.sandbarmitchell.org/application.pdf

warbird_patrick · **Posted:** Sun Mar 31, 2013 2:34 pm

Patrick Mihalek of Legend Of Aces Aviation and Todd Trainor from the Aeronca Aircraft History Museum, both from Brighton Michigan, are planning to rescue North American B-25J Mitchell, 44-30733, civilian registry N9088Z from her crash site in Alaska. For years it has been nicknamed “Sandbar Mitchell” after it crashed on a sandbar in the Tanana River near Fairbanks in 1969.

Mihalek and Trainor are forming the nonprofit Warbirds Of Glory Museum for the express hope of rescuing her from further pillage and to put her into the public trust so she may continue to serve our future generations.

After server her duties with the USAAF from 1944 to 1959, Sandbar Mitchell continued to serve her country as fire-suppression bomber, Tanker #8. Owned by Edgar Thorsrud, she was one of several B-25s used in Alaska in the late 1960’s to help fight forest fires. On June 27th, 1969 she was called into duty to help fight the Manley Hot Springs fires. Shortly after takeoff she experienced double-engine failure. Herm Gallaher had very few options, so instead of landing in the river or in the forest he landed gear up on a small sandbar in the middle of the Tanana River. He walked away, but the right wing was damaged and the forward fuselage was wrinkled.

After removing her engines, propellers and wheels she was abandoned. Throughout the next 44 years many people visited Sandbar Mitchell. Unfortunately, many have taken souvenirs and sadly cut off her outer wings, forward and aft section. Fortunately the heart and soul of Sandbar Mitchell, the valuable center section, still remains on the sandbar today.

The recovery efforts of Sandbar Mitchell will occur June 2013. Using parts from other salvaged B-25’s and scrounging for the remaining missing parts, the two hope to rebuild her and let her soar again. She will fly as Sandbar Mitchell. They are seeking funding and donations to help rescue and restore her. More information and donation buttons are available at www.sandbarmitchell.org or visit them at www.facebook.com/sandbarmitchell.

:drink3:

Patrick

gary1954 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 31, 2013 3:19 pm

at least the scavengers cut the outer wing panels off outside the attaching points......maybe someone was actually thinking, or had a dull blade :axe:

groundpounder · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:49 am

Not too sure about this business of charging people to come and help them. O.K i get it, but it just seems a bit much. I would think that a request for assistance but you pay your own way would be more appropriate. Surely your time, effort and skill should count as a suitable donation to the cause.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:31 am

groundpounder wrote:

Not too sure about this business of charging people to come and help them. O.K i get it, but it just seems a bit much. I would think that a request for assistance but you pay your own way would be more appropriate. Surely your time, effort and skill should count as a suitable donation to the cause.

At least you'd get a chance to help as opposed to Gillespie who just wants your money so he can work on his tan without disruptions.
Be aware, three Alaska mosquitos can pack you off and suck you dry, their footprint on a window is larger than the diameter of a silver dollar :shock:

Red Baaron · **Joined:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:54 pm **Posts:** 98

groundpounder wrote:

Not too sure about this business of charging people to come and help them. O.K i get it, but it just seems a bit much. I would think that a request for assistance but you pay your own way would be more appropriate. Surely your time, effort and skill should count as a suitable donation to the cause.

It helps ensure that only serious people go along on the trip. There is no shortage of people that are capable of, or willing to do the required work. Getting someone to pay for the privilege is the key to getting the funding to do the job and make sure the participants are willing to put their money where their mouth is. This isn't unheard of at all. In the past, more than one Reno race crew has been required to pay there own way at the races and pay for the privilege of being on the team. It may not be common there but it has happened. Another example would be the CAF. If you want to work on or fly their airplanes, then you have to pony up the money to play. Its probably more common than people realize.

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 2:14 pm

Any ID on the nose and tail sections they are using?

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2629

It's nice to see the airframe being recovered instead of left to the elements, but wouldn't aquiring a more complete B-25 project located in the lower 48 be more cost effective?

rwdfresno · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:14 pm

Chris Brame wrote:

Any ID on the nose and tail sections they are using?

Chris,

I believe it is 44-86844 of "Air Kahuna" infamy.

Ryan

gary1954 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:43 pm

rwdfresno wrote:

Chris Brame wrote:

Any ID on the nose and tail sections they are using?

Chris,

I believe it is 44-86844 of "Air Kahuna" infamy.

Ryan

you are correct

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:44 pm

Ah... thought it looked familiar. Would have been cool if they used 40-2347's nose and tail to make it a B-25B but I bet that would have opened a can of worms with the FAA over the ID?

gary1954 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:53 pm

[quote="The Inspector Alaska mosquitos can pack you off and suck you dry, their footprint on a window is larger than the diameter of a silver dollar :shock:

[/quote]

HEY!!!! I think I Know her, her name was Wanda.........I digress

gary1954 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 01, 2013 6:08 pm

Ya know, 44-30733 is the sister ship of 44-30734 which is N9079Z AKA "Panchito"!
It would be great to see these two sister B-25s sitting side by side at an airshow

:supz:

6trn4brn · **Posted:** Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:09 am

So then with all of these recovery experts being in the Fairbanks area...what say they head over towards EielsonAFB and rescue a certain B-29 (B-50?) from her watery grave? I suppose the chances of that happening are slim and none.....and Slim just rode off on his horse?

I remember seeing The Lady of The Lake back in the early 80s and she was pretty beat up then. Cannot imagine what kind of condition she must be in now. Just seems like such a shame with as few examples around that someone has not tried to rescue her

OK...now back on track to your regularly scheduled good news about the B-25.....

Warbird Information Exchange

B-25 to be recovered from Alaska

Who is online