Warbird Information Exchange

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are the responsibility of the poster and do not reflect the views of the management.
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:39 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 184 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 13  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:04 am 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:57 pm
Posts: 72
Hi everyone

here are the photos showing the before and after of the cargo floor between bulkheads 1-3

Image
the before (you can see the cargo floor below the red bar. (the wedge shaped pieces and crossbeams and the plywood on top)

Image
the after. you can see where the bombardiers seat would go

Image
another shot of working to reattach the stringers to bulkhead 3

Image
a view of the outer skin and the latticework of stringers that attach to it and the internal fittings

Image
a view of bulkhead 3 and the riveting that still needs to be done but no where near as much as when we first started

enjoy everyone!!!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:29 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:57 pm
Posts: 72
Hi everyone,

was out at the plane Monday and took a few photos of the work on the nose. Oh and the crew hatch is now open to entry. we took out the stringers that we're blocking the area. Makes it alot easier to get into the lower cockpit area and entryway to the navigator's station

Image
crew hatch location

Image
under the f/o's position in the cockpit. Control line pullys and brackets

Image
entry way into the nose showing new riveting and the crossover brackets that help to strengthen the
nose to the rest of the plane

Image
new side window frame and window location

Image
old but still useable window frame


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:13 am 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:57 pm
Posts: 72
Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to apologize for not adding much these past few weeks. Life has been very hectic for me with work, Oshkosh, and more work. I'm hoping to get to the shop on Thursday and should have a nice update for you this coming weekend.

Let me know if you have questions or areas you'd like photos of!

Thanks!

James


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:34 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:47 pm
Posts: 14
Location: Upstate New York
I'd be particularly interested in the transition under the nose between the cylindrical shape of the fuselage, and the flattened shape of the bottom of the nose frame. It is very hard to see on "G" models, and I haven't gotten access to an earlier version - yet - to document this.

Thanks!

Paul


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:22 pm 
Offline
3000+ Post Club
3000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 3:08 pm
Posts: 4542
Location: chicago
I ran into Mike inside the rear of FIFI this past weekend, and he was telling me about finding "Tangerine". That's really cool.

Looking great. You've come a long way since I was last out to the barn. 8)

_________________
.
.
Sure, Charles Lindbergh flew the plane... but Tom Rutledge built the engine!

Visit Django Studios online or Facebook!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:50 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 29, 2005 10:20 pm
Posts: 237
Location: Palatine, Illinois
TriangleP wrote:
One interesting part of the work recently was that one of the restoration crew visited the forward fuselage of B-17E Swamp Ghost at Planes Of Fame. What were you measuring and photographing? Was this required because there were missing or damaged parts on the Rat? Was it helpful in the work thats being done on the Rat now or later? What was the general impression of Swamp Ghosts condition?



I'll take a stab at this one.

As Swamp Ghost is heading to Hawaii, it will not be easily accessible for much longer, so this
was a good opportunity to have a look-see.

The Rat, as we know, was stripped of its bomber hardware and converted to a cargo plane,
and there are many changes between an "E" and a "G". Going and looking things over was
a way to help put pieces back in their original spots, as well as identify assemblies which
were missing completely (such as the bombadier's station). So, the pictures have helped
put a few pieces back already.

As to my impression of the general condition of that airframe, well... :roll:

_________________
-Bill
B-17E 41-2595 "Desert Rat" Restoration Team


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:49 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am
Posts: 987
This is so cool and exciting. The restoration of a new B-17 and an E-model to boot! I look forward to following this restoration.


Chappie

_________________
Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:19 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:57 pm
Posts: 72
Hi everyone sorry these have taken so long to get up (life is not nearly as laid back as when i was out of a job) between work, house hunting, broken computer, working on getting married. life doesnt let me upload photos fast enough.
but here we go. Hopefully they will help so progress from a couple weeks ago. Progress which has already been eclipsed according to our facebook page


Image
dorsal fin rib that needs repair

Image
parts for the area where the bombardier would sit.

Image
exposed dorsal fin

Image
area directly under the nose of the plane

Image
interior of the backside of bulkhead 3

Image
looking towards bulkhead 3 from bulkhead 1

Image
bombardiers seat area

newly riveted area from bulkhead 3 to bulkhead 1.5 (this was done to help strengthen the connection from 3 forward)
Image

Image
looking from the crew hatch forward toward the door into the nav/bombardier compartment

hope you all enjoyed the show!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:54 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!

Joined: Sun Dec 31, 2006 5:11 pm
Posts: 1111
Location: Outer Space
Image


Yikes! what the hell is up with that cord? Maybe time for a new one.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:07 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:18 am
Posts: 1573
Location: Northwest Ohio
Just keep the updates and photos coming. If we can't be there in person we will be there in spirit!!!! :drink3:

_________________
A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:24 pm 
Offline
Been here a long time
Been here a long time

Joined: Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am
Posts: 11276
It truly took a lot of vision to save this aircraft so many years ago and get it to this point. Great work!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:44 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 29, 2005 10:20 pm
Posts: 237
Location: Palatine, Illinois
TriangleP wrote:
On your Facebook page, its written that you're installing .025 sheeting on the nose and is marginally thicker than the original but it's making a stronger rebuild.


Original sheeting was .020 and .025
Mike upped it to .025 and .032.
Part of the reason is better dent resistance,
as well as rigidity. With unknown hoards of people
working their way through, it doesn't take much
to step on/kick the skin, and dent them.

Every little .005 helps...

_________________
-Bill
B-17E 41-2595 "Desert Rat" Restoration Team


Last edited by DryMartini on Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:08 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:57 pm
Posts: 72
hi everyone!

time for another update on the nose! we're now a bit over 50% complete on the re skinning and stringer repair, and we've finished the framing for the copilots side nose windows. The pilots side is being worked on and by the time I get back to the shop in a week or three (work and other things aside) we'll most likely be over the 75% mark!!!

here are some photos to tide you over

enjoy!

Image
copilots window frames and skins riveted

Image
internal view of the rib and stringer repair for the pilots side nose window frame area

Image
external view of the pilot side nose window area with all lower skins riveted to help keep bulkheads 3-1 in alignment
with the rest of the plane

Image
a dark but telling shot of the nose. This section of the plane has gone through so much from being separated by an ax 50+ years ago to being cosmetticly reattached, to finally being riveted together and becoming one structural unit. When this section is finished it will be truly a major milestone in the rebuild of this beautiful bomber


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:15 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:18 am
Posts: 1573
Location: Northwest Ohio
Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work and keep the updates coming!! :drink3: :drink3: :drink3:

_________________
A&P/I.A., A.A.S./Aviation Maintenance technology
Warbird salvage/recovery
One day I'll get that P-40!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:05 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 3:23 am
Posts: 66
wow she is coming along,
new updates added to facebook about 20 minutes ago


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 184 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 13  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: brian-livingston, Clifford Bossie, Google Adsense [Bot], JohnB, Stoney and 94 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group