Official Build Thread for B-17E 41-2595 Desert Rat/Tangerine

[kidjim25]

Hi everyone,

Just a heads up, I talked to Mike this morning and due to a prior engagement we won't be working on the plane tomorrow, Saturday Feb 2. Work will recommence on Sunday.

So if you were planning on coming up we're sorry!!!

Thanks,

James (desert rat build team member)

[kidjim25]

Just got a photo from Mike and wanted to share it with you all

A Major Milestone about to be reached!!!!



As you can see we have one panel left and then pretty much all skin and internal structure from bulkhead 1-7 is now fully riveted!!! Also when this is done the nose will be fully attached for the first time since the mid to late 1940's!

with the nose we went from this



to the above photo in about 4 months. Now its on to bulkhead 7-11 pressing and replacing, and internal fitting out!!

[hang the expense]

I bet they are awash in clecos again.Funny how that happens.She looks spectacular again.

[cooper9411]

kidjim25 thanks for the update. A major milestone accomplished

[Chappie]

Fantastic news. Glad to see the Rat is making steady progress. I again must compliment the photographer, the lighting is excellent and dramatic. The pole barn really gives the whole project a grassroots feel.


Chappie

[LRYAN]

Sorry I have not been here in a while.
Just posted new photos from Monday, finishing the nose.
Enjoy

Luc

and as always more photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariagalact ... 764443743/
















and the next day Mike was able to finish the last skin piece on the nose:

[DH82EH]

Man! That has got to be a great feeling. Congratulations on an amazing milestone. You guys rock
The photos are amazing. Thanks for posting.
Is there anything that is on the top of your wishlist for the Rat? Anything WIXers could watch for or donate?
Just askin' 'cause you never know....

Andy Scott

[kidjim25]

Certainly we could use an early top turret, a bombadiers panel, a navigators table assembly, amongst other things.

We'll certainly ask Mike though!

James

[DryMartini]

Chuck, Hang, Lucky13, Desert Rat, and Mary Ann are in Cahoots with one another
as to needs, parts, and material runs. If we only had cubic dollars, the planes
would be better off.

[Dan Johnson II]

Someone say Mary Ann?

[Chappie]

Someone say Mary Ann?

Is this the real Mary Ann or a production photo from the the movie 'Air Force'?

Chappie

[hang the expense]

Man, I love that picture.How cool(and hot as blazes in fla on the ramp)it must have been to be standing there watching those early birds light off in the bright sunshine.

[Dan Johnson II]

It's the Mary Ann from the movie. She was a working B17B flying out of Sebring Field in Florida where they filmed a lot of "Air Force"

This is a blow of up 18 which also was in the film along with many of the other Sebring early model Forts

[kidjim25]

Hey Triangle and everyone,

Sorry for not posting much reciently. Work has been progressing but I was only up there once the past couple weeks due to work. I do know work is progressing on the cockpit and now we've been working on stripping the right wing of it's piping, wiriing, and duct work so that we can begin the process of cleaning up and reparing the wings.

Photos to come soon I promise!

James

[LRYAN]

new photo update from this weekend, enjoy
Lucas.

and as always more here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariagalact ... 994218629/

copyright © 2013 by Lucas Ryan Photography