NOTE: This thread was started months ago before I became Wing Leader of the Commemorative Air Force - Gulf Coast Wing
I have decided not to re-edit it (much), so please understand that I am now a mature, responsible leader and do NOT hold anything I wrote below against me or the Unit!!!
----------------Original post starts below-------
All of this un-official as I am at present just a Parts Sales Leader.
BUT the Dream is to have a Flight of Two B17s at the next Lone Star Flight Museum event in April 2008.
Yes Gulf Coast Wing-CAF has had some set backs, such as corrossion found in the windscreen frame and the chin turret gun-tub.
But that has been balanced by accomplishments, such as the Number 3 inboard firewall seeing progress towards the day its Wright Cyclone can be hung. When it is done the team will move to Number 2 firewall.
Now there are four re-conditioned propellors on pallets.
More fuel systems components are where they are supposed to be, on the airplane.
Benny the A&P has crafted a gorgeous new windscreen frame, Rick Robins cleaned out the "gookempuckey" out of the hydraulic manifold under the Co-Pilot's side of the Flight Deck and the list goes on.
MOST IMPORTANTLY we have more volunteers and some hired guns.
Thanks to our partners at Lone Star Flight Museum, (who along with West Houston Squadron-CAF and Gulf Coast Wing-CAF put on Wings Over Houston) we have become more than partners. I don't feel the least bit bashful in calling them brothers.
More and more LSFM and WHS volunteers are showing up and helping a bomber in need.
It's enough to turn a red-neck like myself downright Churchillian.
Barry Elkins, A&P, IA was the first person to state that HIS goal was to have the TEXAS RAIDERS flying over Galveston alongside THUNDERBIRD.
Again this is unofficial, but I cannot imagine Larry Gregory and the other fine folks at LSFM saying TEXAS RAIDERS STAY HOME!
Along with Barry, others in the blue and gold shirts are filtering in from time to time and lending experienced, much needed hands.
Pictures to follow...
SPANNER
aka Don Price