Someone asked for a "Desert Rat" status....

[DryMartini]

I haven't been able to update my web page:

http://www.B-17FlyingFortress.info

and the MarengoMetalWorks guys are concentrating on their
quarter scale metal P-51 R/C:

http://www.marengometalworks.com

but I can tell you this about the B-17E:

Work is progressing on the rear fuselage between STA 6 and STA7.
The XC-108 cargo door frame was removed late last year, and
the left waist window has been added. The right waist window's
sliding tracks are in. Working on making the left side tracks.
We're putting the beams in for the gun mounts.
Crushed ribs have been replaced. The skin between STA 6 and STA7
has been replaced, except for the belly, as we have not taken the
cargo floor out yet (we need something to stand on).

Next up is BLK 3 and BLK 7, putting the nose back on, and
refurbing the cockpit. Oh yeah, the dorsal fin repairs are
somewhere in this timeline, too.

Sounds so easy, doesn't it?

If anyone has a spare Million $$$, please PM me.

Last edited by DryMartini on Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[wls3]

Bill,

Thanks for the status update on B-17E Desert Rat .

I found some good pics here also.

http://www.usaaf.com/b17/index.htm

Bill

DryMartini please check your PM thanks

[Chris Brame]

Hi Bill,
I've been following the story of this plane for about 25 years; Earl Reinert told me about it just after you got it, but I moved out to CA before I had a chance to come see it. Did he find you any parts? Anyway, if I could ask a few questions -

Did you ever find the landing gear and engines that were taken (per Scott Thompson's book)?

Have you located the top and ball (or Bendix?) turrets?

For the nose piece, do you have factory drawings or will the NASM let you measure the one on the "Swoose"?

Were the bomb bay doors intact and sealed shut, or were they removed and skinned over?

Thanks!
- Chris

[Chuck Giese]

Did you ever find the landing gear and engines that were taken (per Scott Thompson's book)?

Bill, I'll take the easy one.

Having just helped remove one of the main gear, they were never taken from the 'Rat'. They came out fairly easy considering...

Haven't found the original engines, but we have a few 'cores' in storage.

I saw this plane at Gault airport in lots of big and little pieces and boxs and boxs of parts. I can't hardly believe it is going back together again.
good job
Steve

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Hi Bill,

I have always wondered what is happening with Desert Rat. Some time ago I lost the link to the site so Thanks for reposting it. I met one of the guys who identified himself as being an owner (?) some time back at Oshkosh....from what I recall this 17 was in SAD shape and it was gonna be a very slow process to get her back into any kind of shape resembling an aircraft. Glad to see that folks are at least still working on her and that you've been making slow, but steady progress.

Paul