FLYING FORTRESS TO BE SAVED

Air Classics, Nov 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

Well-known collector Don Brooks plans to bring a veteran back home

Don Brooks, who has a B-17G nearing flying condition at Tom Reilly's facility in Florida, is, as we go to press, supervising the raising of another B-17G from a watery grave in Canada, reports Don S. Monroe. On 24 December 1947, a Boeing B-17G belly-landed on frozen Dyke Lake in Canada's remote Labrador. The seven-man crew escaped without injury but had to camp out in the harsh weather before they were rescued two days later.

The next spring, as weather warmed, the ice broke apart and the big bomber sank to the bottom of the lake in 20-ft of water. For over 50 years, the Flying Fortress has remained on the bottom but currents have moved the aircraft about ten miles from its original location, breaking the rear fuselage in the process. The salvage group, led by Bob Meister, will use eight 8000-lb capacity balloons to raise the aircraft to the surface. When it reaches the surface, an additional ten bags will be inflated and three tugs will pull the bomber to the shore where a 215-ton crane will raise the remains. The B-17G will then be disassembled and transported to Georgia where the aircraft will be surveyed to see if it can be restored to flying condition.

All those years ago, the B-17G was delivering mail, Christmas trees, food, and cases of whiskey to remote weather stations and airbases in Canada. As the bomber approached Goose Bay, it flew into a white-out and fuel began to run out. Number one engine was shut down followed by number four and the pilots headed for the smooth surface of Dyke Lake. The aircraft slide to a stop relatively undamaged as the crew scrambled out, afraid the bomber would break through the ice. Rescue planes soon found the bomber and its crew and dropped further supplies. Well-supplied with food, the men had to endure the sub-zero weather until rescue.