Warbird Information Exchange

Well, it took a while but we managed to get a hold of the Tulare AMVETS and the folks in charge of the B-17. We offered them a hand and asked if they would want to work with us, and they informed us that their aircraft is "up to snuff" and that they don't need anything for it. Also that the own the aircraft not the NMUSAF. Is anyone nearby that can grab some pics of it. Have they done more work on it? We by no means wish to throw ANYONE under a bus, we were just sort of always under the impression that it was in bad shape. I have never seen it in person. The folks were very nice on the phone, but did not seem interested in any further restoration work.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Good job Chris. Maybe "up to snuff" has a totally different meaning to them. Their B-17 definately needs to come under a roof somewhere.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Yeah I know what you mean. I did not want to come off as insulting, and I don't know the current condition of the aircraft, I just always had heard that it was very rough. Good for them if they did get the work done, however if it has not and the plane is still in need of attention, we are willing to help.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Wise old saying;


'Never crap in someones hat and try to pull it down over their ears, it will come back to you'


I'd file their attitude away for the future under' do not appear to play well with others'

But, to be fair, let's hear directly from them and get their point of view if they wish to reply-the floor is yours

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Chris,
Our team has been down this road. I caution anyone to be respectful and consider your public responses before you hit the enter. This story sounds all to familiar. Best of luck in any event.

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Andrew King
Air Museum Director with no Museum to Direct
Open to Suggestions

I'm sure the folks in charge of the old girl are well-intentioned volunteers who indeed believe she's "up to snuff." Unfortunately, they may not have any actual aircraft maintenance experience, and may not really understand what it takes to properly preserve/restore an aircraft. Hopefully before it deteriorates beyond help the aircraft will pass to a museum or group that can properly care for it.

SN

I drove past it 4 times last year. The only thing I can really say is that apparently their "up to snuff" definition differs somewhat from mine...

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

Yagen bought Chuckie??? Crimety. And I got other words, but that will have to do here.

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1942 Dodge WC-51 Weapons Carrier
I am a reenactor, have been since the early 1980s, and I am an aviation enthusiast, PILOT, A&P mechanic, and military vehicle owner. I have restored cars, trucks, and antique radios. These are MY hobbies- What are YOURS?.

Some shots of "Preston's Pride" from a roadside visit in 2006:

It is "caged" behind a fence to protect it, but it also makes it a bit difficult to see:





It has had its share of damage over the years from runaway trucks (well documented here on WIX!)

Wingtip damage:


Engine nacelle damage:



Sheet aluminum is screwed to many of the control surfaces:





It sure would be wonderful to see this beauty come in out of the weather...

Michael

He did mention that they had repaired the damage to the wingtip. Thank you for the pics.

With our whole Warbird Rescue site and show, it is our goal to get aircraft help, that need it. But we have to be careful not to be disrespectful. Our thoughts are with this aircraft is to atleast open the dialogue with them, and then see where it goes over time. They did say that they have some stuff they would be willing to send our way. We plan to continue updating them with what is going on with ours, and maybe it will get things there going as well. My hat is off to all of those that work or have worked on it, and we hope to help ensure that it will be around for along time.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Anyone know if those turrets are real or imitation shells?

Chris, that sounds like the best approach, just keep a polite dialogue open and share your progress with them. Maybe when they see all the work being done with the Grissom B-17 that will encourage them to take a more active role with Prestons Pride...

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

My brother and I drove all day to go down there back in late 80's??? and we did some cleaning of the interior, and replaced eyebrow windows, they were real bad and leaking into interior, which is pretty gutted.. the only real turret at that time was the ball. The chin and tail had been replaced by someone as payment for repairs they made. So the amvets were very careful of what we wanted, and we assured them it was only to help the ol girl.

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Remember, the propeller is only there to keep the pilot cool.If you don't believe me, have it stop and watch the pilot start sweating!

One probably minor thing that always irritated me when driving by was the triangle K on the tail is level with the ground....not the centerline of the aircraft! And yes, she's a gutted shell and looks like one.

Covered in bird cr@p and dirt doesn't seem very "up to snuff" to me.....

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Rob

I suspect the AMVETs "own" the aircraft the way the city of Memphis "owned" the Memphis Belle. In the 1980s I saw a (then) USAF Museum inventory that had 44-85738 on it. Whether or not the (now) NMUSAF knows that they retain ownership of the airplane is another matter.

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Scott Thompson
Aero Vintage Books
http://www.aerovintage.com
WIX Subscriber Since July 2017