Liberty Foundation B-17G

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:00 am

I've been checking the web site for updates on a first flight and tour dates. They posted a new picture of the a/c and she's looking good and close to being in the air again. I can't wait to get another Fort back in the air.

http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.php

JohnH · **Posted:** Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:46 pm

This is the ex Reilly NEAM five engine airplane. 44-85734, N5111N, N817BR, N390TH

JH

dj51d · **Posted:** Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:31 pm

Here's a short history. 44-85734 was flown directly to storage, and later purchased by Pratt&Whitney and modified with a fifth engine in the nose. Pratt&Whitney donated the aircraft to what is now the New England Air Museum, it was damaged by a tornado in the late 70's. Tom Reilly aquired the aircraft in the early 90's.

A great resource on the surviving B-17s is Scott Thompson's Final Cut. This book has a great photo of 85734 flying with the R-1820's feathered and only the nose engine running.

dj51d · **Posted:** Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:34 pm

After posting that last message I found this history of the aircraft on the Liberty Foundation site.

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Wed Jul 14, 2004 9:48 pm

Dont worry all, I work next door to to the Reilly restoration facility and I am watching the B-17 being worked on every day. I will post updates as things progress. I will let you know when the engines ae run, when she taxies, and flies for the first time.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:37 am

Chuck Gardner wrote:

Dont worry all, I work next door to to the Reilly restoration facility and I am watching the B-17 being worked on every day. I will post updates as things progress. I will let you know when the engines ae run, when she taxies, and flies for the first time.

Great! Thanks

Matt Sharkey · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 2:27 pm **Posts:** 223

Give us a heads up if possible, I would like to come down for it.

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:01 pm

I will let you know when things get closer for the first flight.

I am flying the #1 SNJ from Warbird Adventures from Kissimmee, FL to Geneseo, NY on Thursday (tomorrow). Yes, I know it is a week late for the show but we are still selling flights at that location in the SNJs.

JohnH · **Posted:** Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:57 pm

dj51d wrote:

After posting that last message I found this history of the aircraft on the Liberty Foundation site.

Thanks for that, my mistake. I thought "Liberty Belle History" was the combat aircraft's history, not the current restoration, so I didn't bother to click it. Duh!

John

wls3 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 15, 2004 6:27 pm

Here are a couple photos I took back in April. Looks like they are making good progress.

Bill

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