Stranded in Labrador

The longest journey begins with–well, with a cracked engine liner. We’ve been flagged that Glacier Girl, the restored P-38 pursuit plane from World War II that is now trying to retrace its route to Europe, is apparently stuck at the airport in Goose Bay, Labrador, in need of a substantial repair. There should be more at

http://www.airshowbuzz.com

.

This is developing; it’s unclear what the next step is. The organizers tell us a smaller P-51 fighter traveling with it is likely to continue to Duxford, England. Glacier Girl herself may need to have an engine replaced, which may mean its voyage is over.

You’ll recall that this was the plane, one of a squadron of eight in 1942, that were forced by weather to crash-land in Greenland. It was pulled out of the ice 50 years later and lovingly restored by a group in Middlesboro, Ky.

I was touched by those of you who saw our World News piece or my earlier post, and wrote in with your own recollections. Thank you.

Two of the planes in the squadron were B-17 bombers, which leads, if you’ll indulge me, to a personal note. My Dad was on a B-17 crew. He is just young enough to have missed action in the Pacific; the war ended before he was finished training. I am selfishly very grateful.