GE Aviation Lecture -- From the Ice, Back to Life: The Incredible Resurrection of "Glacier Girl"

This Lecture was presented on Wednesday, October 6 at the National Air and Space Museum's National Mall building.
Learn about "Glacier Girl," the famous Lockheed P-38 that became stranded on the Greenland Ice Cap, from Bob Cardin, the man in charge of rescuing her, and Rod Lewis, her owner. On her way to Europe to fight in World War II, "Glacier Girl" made an emergency landing. Although the crew survived and was rescued, the aircraft remained in Greenland for the next 50 years under 268 feet of ice. After being dug out by a team of aviation enthusiasts, the airplane was repaired to flying condition, a process that took 10 years. "Glacier Girl" is now one of the most recognized and award-winning airplanes in the world.
The GE Aviation Lecture Series is made possible by the generous support of GE Aviation.

[@Coffee1776]

It's amazing how many millions of, I mean, dozens of years it took to cover that plane in 250 feet of ice!

[@LostClaw]

Glacier girl did not crash where ice cores are taken. The plane crashed where Greenland sees the most snow on the south east coast. Around 6 feet per year. Anouther reason why glacier girl was so far down was she was on an semiactive glacier meaning it was melting from the bottom from summer months from warm sea water. Scientist don’t take ice cores on active glaciers because they know their not old. Scientist take ice cores data in places like the middle of Greenland or Antarctica where the snow and ice has never melted.

[@musicdreamerish]

Very cool to see this. I played music in KY when they flew this plane the first time after restoration. I was in a duo with Fredda Valentine, and we were hired to play at the event in KY. My brother and I stayed after and took pictures with the plane, very fun night.

[@mewsicsmary]

This is very exciting! I saw this on "Secrets in The Ice" and hoped there was more online. My Dad was in the Air Force at Thule Air Force Base. I wish he was still here to see this so I could share it with him. He would have really loved it. This was very brave for your team to go and retrieve this part of our history under the ice. Thank you so much to all of you. God Bless!

[@UniSeco]

Superb, thank you

[@Icepacalapse]

The lost squadron is much deeper in 2024.
The greenland ice sheet is growing higher even if warmer oceans chip away at the edges.

[@UFO000100]

Recovery was in the $600,000 area probably in 92 dollars. Restoration of the plane cost $3 million more. It was sold for $10M

[@UFO000100]

Stated at 1:00:30

[@wirelessone2986]

Thank you good info

[@tejastiger61]

Patrick here is the story of “GLACIER GIRL” the P-38 Frozen in the ice for 50 years... INCREDIBLE STORY...!

[@rcbif101]

Anybody know if they are rescuing the other P-38's? (need to watch this later)

[@andreyfedorov380]

Check my cool contrail from engines exhaust here!

[@davejones7886]

I was there at Middlesboro / Bell County (1A6) airport during the reconstruction and first flight.

[@lemonthardeman]

Did they ever try to pull the other 3 P-38 and the B-52 from Greenland?

[@35terraplane]

B-17 not B-52

[@35terraplane]

And no, they did not. Logistics, relatively poor condition of the aircraft from ice damage results in prohibitive cost.

[@dennisschell5543]

Who did the failed engine building? 🤔

[@RoboTekno]

Awesome presentation :-)