"My Gal Sal"

Four items were recovered from "My Gal Sal" when it was re-discovered in October 1964. Top left of photo: Sextant from "My Gal Sal" that was severely corroded. This corrosion was not due to prolonged exposure of the instrument to the Arctic weather; rather, it was caused by the chemical action from the badly decomposed batteries that were in the box with the sextant. Top center: Bombsight stabilizer unit from the nose of "My Gal Sal." One half inch layer of powdered rust was found inside the unit, indicating that one side of it had been in constant contact with snow or ice. Top right: Octant from "My Gal Sal," which when examined, was found to have fungus growths on it. Cultures were taken and numerous types of fungi were identified. Surprisingly, they were the same types found on equipment returned to the United States from tropical areas following World War II. Bottom: Mess kit from "My Gal Sal." The carbon deposits on the bottom indicate it had been used by the crew for heating food over an open flame sometime during the 10-day period they were marooned. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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"My Gal Sal"

B-17E "My Gal Sal." (U.S. Air Force photo)

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"My Gal Sal"

Tail Section of "My Gal Sal" as it appeared in 1965. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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"My Gal Sal"

When "My Gal Sal" was rediscovered in 1964, the plane was relatively undamaged. By the time the recovery team reached the site a year later, the plane appeared as in it is here. A strong winter wind had blown the forward part onto its back, severely damaging it. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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“My Gal Sal”

On June 27, 1942, the pilot of a B-17E named "My Gal Sal" was forced to make a belly-landing on the Greenland icecap during a flight from the United States to England. He made an excellent landing with the only damage to the plane being bent propeller blades.

Once the downed plane had been located, Col. Bernt Balchen set out for its location in a PBY amphibian and landed on a lake about 25 miles away. He and Sgt. Healy then began walking to the B-17 across treacherous crevasses, snow bridges, drifts and ice-cold rivers and pits of slush. It took them hours to reach the airplane and its 13 crew members. After a night of rest, Col. Balchen and his companion led the 13 survivors slowly and carefully back to the lake where they boarded the Catalina and took off for Bluie West 8. The rescued men had been marooned for 10 days.

"My Gal Sal" was forgotten until October 1964 when it was rediscovered from the air. It was still in fairly good condition, although the tail had been broken off by the constant movement of ice.

With USAF cooperation, the Society of Automotive Engineers sent a representative to the isolated site by helicopter in 1965 to gather samples of hydraulic fluid, rubber, canvas and Plexiglass materials, and navigational, hydraulic and aircrew equipment items. These items were desired for laboratory evaluation as to the long-term effects from the cold, wet environment of the Arctic. Many significant facts were learned from the evaluation, facts that could be applied to such military programs as the Titan and Minuteman ballistic missiles being maintained in an operational-readiness status in underground silos.

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Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress

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Boeing LGM-30A Minuteman IA

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