2001 Alaska Expedition
In the summer of 1996 Gary Larkins and members of his Air Pirates went to Alaska in search of a B-17F model Serial #230681. This B-17 had been involved in a bombing run on the Japanese at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutians. After being hit by ground fire she developed a fire on board. All but one survived in the bail out. The 17 pancaked on the tundra breaking up with the aft section ending in a small lake. Gary found her remains and during the recovery the helicopter they were using developed a mechanical problem cutting their recovery short. On June 13th, 2001 Gary returned to retrieve the rest of the parts.
Mission accomplished.
Click on an image to enlarge.
Alaska June 13, 2001. Mt. McKinley sure has a lot of snow on her.
Lake where the tail gunner’s section has been since 1943.
Gary on the shore thinking, "I know you are out there."
Divers Wayne and Brian start the search for tail section.
Wayne and Brian signal they have found the tail gunner’s section.
Helicopter lines up to retrieve the tail gunner’s section.
After 58 years the tail gunner’s section from B-17F #230681 has been recovered.
Gary inspects tail section – It’s all here.
50 cal. ammo found in tail gunner’s ammo box.
At the crash site an engine is found.
The remains of another warrior is found.
Ready to be crated for its trip to the restoration shop in Cincinnati.
Maybe a sign of a safe and successful recovery.