Warbird Information Exchange

I presume it's already been flown home safely even with that crippling damage?

Sabremech - On the basis of an internet picture you can decide whether a scratch is deep or not ? How can damage not be an airworthiness issue? Its not a panel or a fairing - its the fuselage structure. I am amazed by the attitude towards damage .

David, there's a huge difference between structure and skins for example. Structure requires an examination to determine if it's strength has been compromised. A scratch in the skin does little more than tick you off. Based on a picture of a scratch, I can make a determination that I would fly it!
I think you're only amazed by our attitude towards damage because you don't understand aircraft structure. That's not to knock you, but hopefully educate you!
David Staffeldt

Thanks for that David ! I have worked both for my and your government on aircraft structure . I look at something from the point of view of the long term health of the machine so yes whilst you can live with a scratch as such it's some thing that needs addressing.

Ya gotta love WIX. 5+ page thread about a scratch, and it's just warming up....

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Best Regards;
Chuck Giese --- Volunteer helping to restore B-17G 44-85734 "Liberty Belle".

Hi David, I've worked for that same government and can remember painting the bare spots where the grass had died with green Krylon for a visiting General. So, it's completely understandable the over reaction for a scratch if your background includes working for Uncle Sam.
You're absolutely right Chuck, I couldn't take the insanity anymore. Now I'm regretting getting sucked in!
David

If the damage were a cut halfway through one of the spar caps, I would be concerned. Aircraft have quite a bit of damage tolerance built in and loads redistribute around weak areas.

This damage likely falls into the category of "negligible damage." There may be a scratch or a gouge, but the metal does not appear to be torn. Most areas can withstand a fist-sized hole with no major structural danger, and many aircraft have spots of corrosion that size or larger that go undetected for years, including many B-25s.

Scratches like that, as long as they meet depth x length x metal thickness criteria can be blended by a good skin quality man. Deep scratches and skin gouges get blended in the factory by Boeing every day and 99+% of the time you can't find it after it's been reworked. Even with spraylat on the metal, skins get dinged all the time during assembly and the skin blend guys stay pretty busy.
basically the cladding is worked back into the scratch void area with a blending spoon since it stays pretty soft (shiny clad is 99% pure aluminum floated onto the sheet when the skin is made), then carefully blended and buffed out, it most definitely is an art and requires a very deft touch but it can be done.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

That scratch needs to be removed because it doesn't match documented scratches in WWII photos or model box tops....

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

But are the gear wells painted properly???

The airplane obviously left SNF and participated in the last Doolittle Reunion so the question of airworthiness is moot.

I also want to bring up that it does not appear that Larry Kelley is pushing some sort of publicity agenda on this. It appears that he reported some damage and the story, via news outlets and 5 WIX pages, has now taken on a life of its own.

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

If the glove don't fit, you must acquit! It's pretty funny that every idea from the airplane's airworthiness, to hidden agenda, to cost of repairs, to the tune of 5 pages has run with this story. It was an episode of American Restoration meets CSI Miami meets Person of Interest meets a golf cart. All we need is a psychic and a ghost chaser, and we can build a reality series on this one scratch....

Very Impressive, WIX!

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

It would be nice to see them get an appropriate insurance check. They could repair the damage or use money as desired. Maybe something else is pending, like prop A.D.s. At any rate the check can help keep Panchito flying.

Keep it going,...........................I'm cooking the popcorn as I type! Paint invasion stripes over it and no one will ever know.

Nope, only Sharks Teeth can cover that up!