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

kidjim25 · **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

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

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

another shot of working to reattach the stringers to bulkhead 3

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

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!!!

kidjim25 · **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

crew hatch location

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

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

new side window frame and window location

old but still useable window frame

kidjim25 · **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

pstrany · **Posted:** Mon Aug 13, 2012 11:34 pm

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

Django · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:22 pm

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.

DryMartini · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:50 pm

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:

Chappie · **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

kidjim25 · **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

dorsal fin rib that needs repair

parts for the area where the bombardier would sit.

exposed dorsal fin

area directly under the nose of the plane

interior of the backside of bulkhead 3

looking towards bulkhead 3 from bulkhead 1

bombardiers seat area

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

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

hope you all enjoyed the show!

maxum96 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:54 pm

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

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:07 pm

Just keep the updates and photos coming. If we can't be there in person we will be there in spirit!!!! :drink3:

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11309

It truly took a lot of vision to save this aircraft so many years ago and get it to this point. Great work!

DryMartini · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:44 pm

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...

kidjim25 · **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!

copilots window frames and skins riveted

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

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

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

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:15 pm

Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work and keep the updates coming!! :drink3:

earnie · **Joined:** Fri May 21, 2010 3:23 am **Posts:** 66

wow she is coming along,
new updates added to facebook about 20 minutes ago

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