B-17 Flying Fortress/44-83735 ~ the Duxford resto thread

[the330thbg]

Brilliant shots and awesome thread!

I still HATE the Cheyenne Tail!

Thank you very, very much for these shots!

[bomberflight]

ZRX61 ~

Inertial adjustment device for percussive persuasion

A bi-product of the unique shape of the American Air Museum are the acoustics ~ when they resort to using the hammer ..... it's a tad LOUD

the330thbg ~ I feel it's almost a duty to share the images with people who are as equally interested in this B-17 restoration as me.

I know that most folk are unable to keep making frequent visits because of time / geography / work commitments.

I find the whole process totally absorbing to watch and I'm unlikely to ever see this happen again in the UK in my lifetime.

I'll be popping into Duxford again today and I'll post another update later

[bomberflight]

There's no telling what we'll find in Hangar 5 today.

Rapid progress with the restoration means every visit is worthwhile ~ let's go in and take a look

The newly arrived Rudder was already being uncovered by late morning.



One side's done ~ over she goes .....



And off comes the fabric.



At this rate ~ it'll be done by lunch time.



Stay tuned for an update from the American Air Museum next

Last edited by bomberflight on Tue May 17, 2011 1:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bomberflight]

The above image of the American Air Museum building was taken in June 2010. I've included it so that people reading this thread can
understand the geographical relationship with Hangar 5. That's the structure with the green doors ~ directly behind the F-15 Eagle.

Now let's go inside the AAM and see how things are progressing with the B-17

The inner wing section that was detached yesterday now waits it's turn to be transported across to Hangar 5.



The Vertical Stabilizer has been unbolted and removed ( The big black fin belongs to the B-52 )



The removal of the 2nd inner wing section turned out to be a close repeat of the process on Monday.



Careful, methodical and safe.



Without any dramas ~ just lots of concentration and mutual trust ~ it's detached and clear of the fuselage



With separation complete ~ the wing section is gently lowered ......



And we have a touchdown !



After a stop for lunch the team reassemble and discuss the next task .....



Which involves moving the inner wing section to gain better access to the fuselage



My visits this week have put me something of an reflective mood. I got to thinking about those unsung heroes ~ the ground crews of WW2.

They had to perform some of these tasks in the most unfavorable weather and without the benefit of todays mechanical lifting equipment that
have made it look so deceptively easy.

And then the thought struck me that for the present restoration team ~ though the pressures are very different ~ there is an expectation on them
to deliver ~ with the whole world watching them.

So I'm going to close this post with a salute to the ground crews ~ past and present.

Bless 'Em All

[Django]

Amen on the Ground Crews. I just finished a book about a 100th BG crew chief Ken Lemmons called The Forgotten Man: The Mechanic. It's pretty good, although I wish it was about 5 times longer!

[rwdfresno]

I must say I'm pretty impressed by this group. As someone who has been involved with the taking apart and moving of a number of large aircraft I have a real appreciation for what it takes. It isn't easy work. Especially with the space constraints all of the things around them that you really don't want damaged.

Some folks like Aero Trader have taking a B-25 down to major components down to a science, and similarly with Taigh and Twin Beeches. You can see examples like the NMUSAF and the Helldiver that where smaller aircraft than this have been damaged during dis-assembly. I've seen a lot of aircraft damaged to varying degrees (actually have done damage myself) during a process like this so good work on their part in doing what looks like a very reasonable job in moving this large aircraft.

Ryan

[bomberflight]

Many thanks for the comments guys

[bomberflight]

Just a quick update today ~ but I think you'll like some of these pictures !

The fuselage is now lowered and the cockpit windows were open ~ which meant there was an obvious opportunity to use the "polecam"
to get some interior shots .....





Let's scoot around the other side .....





and here's one or three from the Conservation Hangar



It looks like the Fin is ready for paint removal ......





More soon guys and gals !

[peter]

Her overall condition looks pretty good considering.. ANy hints from the chaps doing the work how she is healthwise? Interior looks spot on as well.. Speaking of spots.. who piddled on the captains seat?!

[bomberflight]

Hi Peter ~ I think the priority right now is disassembly and transfer to the Conservation Hangar. No doubt we'll find out how things are healthwise in the coming weeks and months. All I can say about the captains seat is ~ it wasn't me !

[bomberflight]

Today has been a BIG day at Duxford ! Let me give you a clue as to why .....



That's a B-17 fuselage sized gap in the Conservation Hangar !

I wonder if she knows it's her last day behind the glass wall for a while ?



The contractors were in early to remove the cross member on the door frame



The Imperial War Museum has invited members of the press to come along watch the proceedings



And yes I did suffer a little envy over that telescopic aerial ...... If I could just attach a camera to it ..... OK maybe not !

Mary Alice has it by a nose !



To my mind ~ it's been a morning of "3-P's". Push ~ Pause ~ Position



As the airframe was inched forward ~ they would pause and check ~ then the tail was gradually slewed past the B-29 tail
and the Avenger undercarriage

An impressive sight from any angle .....









After many "3-P" repetitions ~ out she popped into the fresh air





During the journey from the American Air Museum to the Conservation Hangar ~
one of the support legs caused a hiccup in the otherwise smooth proceedings.

But it was nothing that couldn't soon be resolved with the assistance of a big yellow crane.



Nearly there now !





A brief pause to think ~ could this be 1943 ?



Time to install Mary Alice in her new home











One last push and ~ we're done !



I can't finish this post with saying a big thank you to everyone from the IWM organisation at Duxford for making it such a great day !

Last edited by bomberflight on Fri May 20, 2011 1:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Django]

Wow, congrats to the team for getting that far. That has to feel good. Now comes the fun part!

Just curious, is it that dusty, or is the paint just that faded?

[APG85]

Very cool! Now the B-29 has more breathing space and should be easier to photograph...

[The Inspector]

Looks like they did right with her on the last restoration, I see lots of LPS3 or CIC on internal parts, reapply and it'll last another 50 years. And who was it who said 'Oh, it'll never go through that door'

[bomberflight]

Django ~ does Olive Drab ..... FADE ? I just thought it was kind of authentic looking !

And yes there is some dust too ~ but I've seen worse in my study at home after two weeks of constant visits to Duxford

I totally agree that they've done a great job so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing the project move forward.

More soon