B-17 Flying Fortress/44-83735 ~ the Duxford resto thread

[D/C/W]

Duxford Monday April 23rd:

It has been just over a year since the first major B-17 sections were removed from the American Air Museum for conservation. Today saw the first parts leaving Hangar 5 for the short trip back.These pictures show the inner wings being moved early this morning, more sections and a lengthy re-assembly process over the next few weeks.

[peter]

Anyone else notice the lack of fuselage pictures lately...??

[mustanglover]

Anyone else notice the lack of fuselage pictures lately...??

It got lost?

Anyone check in Egypt with the P-40?

Or Burma with all those pristine Spitfires?

[The Inspector]

And I'll bet lots of areas on the fuselage and the tail will be covered with paper until it's all together so as not to spoil the surprise, it's like three days before Christmas

[D/C/W]

Duxford Tuesday April 24th;

Today saw a difficult job completed. The two inner wing sections were lowered within the AAM onto new stands. The confined space and very tricky centres of gravity meant it was a slow and painstaking process:







Here's a photo of the fuselage today to prove there's nothing to hide:



I don't usually include other Duxford events on this thread, but at the opposite end of the airfield today a yearly performance had particular relevance.
The airworthy B-17G 'Sally B' flown by B-17 Preservation Ltd. spends her winters in Hangar 2 undergoing routine maintenance, and today she emerged on a rainy morning. Wingtips were re-attached (it's a tight fit in the hangar) and she will be preparing for the Airshow season over the next few weeks.

[Warhawk]

Here's a photo of the fuselage today to prove there's nothing to hide:

Just got home from work and that really brightened my day. Thanks.

[D/C/W]

Duxford Sunday April 29th:

With bitterly cold winds and driving rain, only a complete idiot would have walked around Duxford today.

So here are some pictures:

Inner wing sections and their trailing edges are together in the AAM:



Not much room to spare:



The long job of joining the sections will start soon:



Progress on the ailerons in Hangar 5:

[Django]

Duxford Sunday April 29th:

With bitterly cold winds and driving rain, only a complete idiot would have walked around Duxford today.

So here are some pictures:

I like your style.

[D/C/W]

Duxford Friday May 11th:

Another (overdue) update on the Duxford B-17 assembly.

In the American Air Museum, the starboard inner wing sections are being reassembled:



Careful labelling of parts is essential:



This view is beneath the starboard wing, where the attached sections are awaiting riveting:



Here we see the port wing sections waiting their turn:



The process started on the port wing:



Engine installation will be one of the last tasks:



No 4 engine approaching completion:



This is a group of cowl flaps after finishing:



Meanwhile, in the Hangar 5 workshops, the rudder waits for covering:



An aileron re-covered and waiting for painting:



One of the waist position 50 cal mounts:

Last edited by D/C/W on Sat May 12, 2012 1:23 am, edited 1 time in total.

[herbert 1]

That looks alot more like a rudder than an elevator to me...

[D/C/W]

That looks alot more like a rudder than an elevator to me...

Sorry 'bout that, must have been the dope and paint thinners getting to me....

[wingman1]

That looks alot more like a rudder than an elevator to me...

Sorry 'bout that, must have been the dope and paint thinners getting to me....

i think i need to get a job there! (jk folks)

[D/C/W]

Duxford Tuesday May 5th

The Duxford B-17 conservation project has been a huge task, but one small job today has made quite an impact.

In the distance, the suggestion of some fin markings:



Masking in progress:





Spraying:



The result:



Further assembly required:

[B-17 guy]

Hmmm, interesting. Is that the factual serial number for that B-17? That's what I keep finding when searching that serial number.

[D/C/W]

Duxford Wednesday May 16th:

There have been a few hints recently that the fuselage of the Duxford B-17 was ready for a move. In the American Air Museum, the B-52 tail guns were repositioned:



The B-29 guns also removed. Every inch counts:



The B-29 wheels showing a move of a few inches:



The B-17 wing sections were separated:



And some wheels firmly attached to the B-17 fuselage:



On my arrival this morning, Hangar 5 was missing a B-17. Only the newly marked fin and an outer wing were prominent:



Missed it! 1005 and she's nearly inside:



Luckily, sources have provided coverage of the move:





















So, just three days short of a year, the B-17 formerly known as Mary Alice is back home in the American Air Museum. Weeks of work remain on the project. Not only assembly, but many other tasks remain to be completed.