B-17 Aluminum Overcast grounded

[kalamazookid]

Update from the Aluminum Overcast Facebook page:

UPDATE: John Hopkins, Tracy Buttles and Jim Valentine from EAA Maintenance went down to Punta Gorda in mid-August and spent an entire week in the hangar with Aluminum Overcast. The left and right outer wing panels were removed, primarily to reduce the footprint of the plane in order to give Arcadia Aerospace (who are providing the hangar space) some more space in their own hangar. They also removed the left inboard fuel tank, wing fairings and inspection covers. This trip down for John, Tracy & Jim was mostly about prep work and inspection of the wings. Tracy is taking down a team of techs this Sunday to continue disassembly around the areas that require repair. Equipment is being shipped down to support the fuselage and wings while repairs are made. We should know a lot more in the next few weeks.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/aluminumovercast/

[Matt Gunsch]

I am going to be in Punta Gorda if they need a extra hand.

[Matt Gunsch]

Turns out the B-17 was in the hangar across from the one I was working in and I was able to go take a look at the damage and progress so far. The outer wing panels are off, the fuel tank for # 2 is out. They are working out plans for the repairs and gathering tooling to pull the wings.

[Kyleb]

Turns out the B-17 was in the hangar across from the one I was working in and I was able to go take a look at the damage and progress so far. The outer wing panels are off, the fuel tank for # 2 is out. They are working out plans for the repairs and gathering tooling to pull the wings.

Matt, can you share what the damage was? There has been very little information.

Kinda like when AA dropped on its belly in LA. There was never a straightforward explanation of what happened.

[Matt Gunsch]

there was a crack on a web gusset between the upper and lower spars at the wing butt. the drawing is the fuselage side, it is the opposite side that cracked. apparently it is a known issue and has been found on other 17s. This was unusual as Aluminum Overcast had never served as a fire bomber.

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[tom roberts]

Any update on their progress ?

[tom roberts]

Any report of progress ??

[BigGrey]

I was told a week ago by a volunteer who works the tour that they are hoping by next September. Apparently the logistics needed with the plane in Florida is making it tough with the expenses.