Selected photographs related to the last flight of the Kee Bird.

If you click on each picture, a new window will open with a larger version of the photograph, and a bit more information.

Photos and documents courtesy of: Howard Adams, Robert Luedke, Russell Jordan and Ernest Stewart (Kee Bird crew members), Johs Lomholt for the Niels Lange images, and Sandy & David Murphy (Burl Cowan's Daughter) Marcia Murphy (Burl Cowan's Grand-daughter) for the wonderful fishing pictures.

Click to view picture This is stamped on the back of each of the following photographs.
Click to view picture Photo of the Kee Bird crew taken the day before take-off on what would become the Kee Bird's last mission.
Click to view picture One of the first photos taken by the rescuers - In the larger picture you can clearly see the skid mark behind the Kee Bird on the ice from the perfect crash-landing.
Click to view picture The C-54 rescue plane has landed and taxied up next to the Kee Bird.
Click to view picture A closer aerial view of the downed "Kee Bird" and crew.
Click to view picture A low altitude view of the rescue of the "Kee Bird". This photo was taken through the bombay of a participating B-29 while circling during the rescue of the crew.
Click to view picture The second search crew finally located the lost "Kee Bird". This is their crew photo. (Aircraft#762, commanded by Capt Donald Allenby).
Click to view picture The actual C-54 (Commanded by Lt. Bobby Joe Cavnar) that finally rescued the crew of the "Kee Bird".
Click to view picture Another view of Lt. Bobby Joe Cavnar's C54 returning the "Kee bird" crew from their adventure. This photo (also the one above) was taken from Captain Setterich's F-13.
Click to view picture Refueling stop upon rescue return. A quick pose with an Eskimo child in Thule, Greenland.
Click to view picture The Kee Bird crew after being rescued. This photo was taken on February 26, 1947 at Westover Field Army AFB, Massachusetts.
Click to view picture Signatures of all Kee Bird crew members.
Reverse side of the photo directly above. Each of the Kee Bird crew members signed the back of the picture.
Click to view picture The "Pole Vaulters" certificate was awarded to those having flown over the North Pole. Obviously, each "Kee Bird" crew member was awarded one.
Click to view picture The Kee Bird crew members apparently did a lot of fishing while stationed in Alaska. They even had their own Fishing Car!
Here's Lt. Vernon H. Arnett posing in front of it.
Click to view picture The Kee Bird fishing crew posing with Jordan's 7 pounder!
Click to view picture The Kee Bird fishing crew again posing with stringer containing Russ Jordan's 7 pounder!
Of course, in front of their "Fishing Car".
Click to view picture Written on the reverse side of the previous photo.
Click to view picture Russell Jordan with the first fish.
Click to view picture Russell Jordan cooking up his dinner.
You guessed it: fish.
Click to view picture Lt. Vernon H. Arnett - "The Boss" written on reverse side of photo.
Click to view picture Lt. Vernon H. Arnett.
Click to view picture Photo of Niels Lange, the Thule Radio Operator on duty Feb. 1947. He detected the emergency call from the "Kee Bird" and acted upon it.
Click to view picture Another photo of Niels Lange in Thule, this time with two of his sled dogs.

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