B-17 Preservation were blessed last year with the donation of a parcel of land by a gentleman called Bertie Ashby. This was sold at auction for GBP 360,000 ( Approx USD 700,000 ).
I had the great honour to talk to him at Duxford on Sunday May 11th when the aircraft was to undergo an engine test.
Bertie didn't get much schooling during World War Two. Aged 14, he was far more interested in riding on the farmers lorry on the daily rounds to the nearby USAAF airfields to collect the food left overs to feed the pigs back on the farm.
His interest in the 8th Air Force and the B-17 has lasted more than 60 years.
Sad to relate then, that things have not gone well for the UK's last airworthy Flying Fortress. This qoute from the B-17 Preservation web site
Engine failure grounds B-17
19th May 2008
We are sorry that the UK’s only airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress, Sally B is momentarily grounded. Now in her 63rd year, the job of keeping this flying memorial in the air is always hard work and sometimes luck is just not on our side...
Over the winter, in readiness for the 2008 flying season, a replacement engine was fitted but in early May this sadly failed during a test run. With important assignments coming up, including the Duxford show and our salute to the American Military Cemetery at Madingley, followed by the Biggin Hill International Air Fair, the decision was taken to change this engine.
Thanks to the wonderful recent financial contributions from Bertie Ashby and our Sally B Supporters Club members we were in the position to be able to enlist a full-time professional engineer to assist with this second engine change. This would put us back on schedule for the season.
All concerned were devastated when this engine also failed during its first flight. Lady luck was just not with us this time.
At this moment we cannot tell you when Sally B will be back where she belongs - in the air. Everything that can be done to turn this situation around safely and quickly is being done.
So, rest assured, although the team are well and truly saddened by this sequence of events we will bounce back.
We have many people around us who help us in so many ways, no more so than through the incredible efforts of our Supporters Club, that we will overcome this. We are sorry to have missed the beginning of the season but hope to resume our flying programme in July at the Flying Legends Air Show at Duxford.
Elly Sallingboe
Unqoute
http://www.sallyb.org.uk/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=15
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wish everyone involved in meeting this fresh challenge the very best and hope it won't be too long before we have a B-17 flying over the UK once more.
_________________
Blue Skies .....
Peter
Consolidated by US state ~ see if there's a heavy bomber tour stop coming to an airport near you ......
http://www.bomberflight.infoWarbirdapps on facebook ~ every day a new image from my personal journey thru the world of warbirds .....
https://www.facebook.com/Warbirdapps
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
