Any Updates On the Urbana B-17?

[APG85]

Any insiders got the latest details on this project? Just curious. Seems like they are moving at a fast pace...

[Urbanab17]

Any insiders got the latest details on this project? Just curious. Seems like they are moving at a fast pace...

First, to answer the question above. Things are going great. The volunteers are terrific. The whole community is behind this project. The local JVS high school has an aviation maintenance program on the field and use the B-17 as a teaching tool. We are certainly blessed.

I wanted to set the record straight on some questions I have read over the last month or so. 1) We purchased a variety of parts including the ball turret in Greeley CO. To some the ball turret is the most important part of that sale, but there were other parts also. 2) We purchased the B-17 project from Tom R. Any information to the contrary is wrong. 3)In some messages we are referenced as the Shiffer boys, but actually the whole family is involved. 4) From my understanding the radio room was the weak point in the fuselage and was the first area to be damaged with a hard landing. We did not get one.

Thanks for your interest. You can see a live internet video camera at www.b17project.com

Dave Shiffer

[Former Member]

Thanks for the update Dave. I had also heard the rumors that it belonged to Tom Reilly...glad you set the story straight. I know it's a lot of work but you could have your very own "sticky" thread posted at the top like Gary's "lil" thread and post update pics as the project progresses...just a thought.

Keep up the great work!

John

[Forgotten Field]

Dave,
How goes the homebuild?

[Urbanab17]

Dave,
How goes the homebuild?

If you mean my sportsman 2+2, I am working on electric wiring stuff right now. Things are going slowly, but I am having fun!

Dave

[Forgotten Field]

Good to hear! Are you going to Oshkosh this year? I'm planning on taking the L-5 and hoping to stop by and see the project on the way home.

[maxum96]

[ 1) We purchased a variety of parts including the ball turret in Greeley CO. To some the ball turret is the most important part of that sale, but there were other parts also.

Dave Shiffer

Dave, I was thrilled that someone was able to get the turret out of the Greeley bar before it got destroyed. I'm a cop in Greeley and it used to piss me off to go the bar at night and see the college kids hanging all over the turret because it sat so low. Too bad I didn't know that the turret had been sold as I would have been more than happy to help get it out of the bar.

Was all the associated hardware still with the turret when you got it? I.E. turret motors and the hardware that attatches to the fuselage? I was never able to see up inside the fuselage and see what was left. I heard rumors that the turret was only being held on with a chain.

[Former Member]

I spoke with the guy who's organization purchased the remaining fuselage that was hanging in the bar. I guess they are trying to restore the fuselage as a mobile display which can be carted to airshows, schools, vet functions, etc. I sold him one of those rare Bendix chin turret mounts I had and he mentioned they were kind of bummed when they saw that the interior had been stripped pretty clean for the Urbana project. Of course anyone else would've done the same considering the rarity of the parts. The good thing of course is that the parts will be going on a flying aircraft.

John

[Urbanab17]

I heard rumors that the turret was only being held on with a chain.

Yes the turret was hanging on a chain. As for Greeley, if I'm ever there again I'll let you know. There are all kinds of airplane parts tucked away in that area.
Dave.