How many B-17's?

[Flashonyrsix]

It was a hollow tube, nothing inside from tail to nose.

Norm

[Randy Haskin]

I wish I knew who to credit for this sweet shot.

According to this page:

http://members.cox.net/b17brian/b17/41-9210/index.htm

...the photog is Mike Deskins

[hang the expense]

the lab 17 is gonna take awhile.The fuselage is going to take sometime as it is going to require major rebuilding(read that as new).It will be built as an F model as Don has a G already.It may be put in the markings of an F model that his Dad was a Tailgunner in called Miss carrey. The wings are pretty good but will require teardown to inspect for cracks, etc etc. Kelner and company are suppling parts and I am manufacturing the heavy frames for the fuselage and stinger tall gun.

[Chuck Giese]

the lab 17 is gonna take awhile.The fuselage is going to take sometime as it is going to require major rebuilding(read that as new).

Now, now HtE, it's not going to be a new fuselage, parts of the bomb bay structure can be re-used.

When passing threw Douglas GA we saw a set of outer wing panels, a vertical stab and rudder that looked like new. I assume it's the progress on the Labrador B-17? If that is the case then they have made a lot of progress since the last time I saw it and it wont be long for 13.

Unfortunately, the wing sections that Steve saw haven't been touched since they came off the trailer. It's going to be quite a while before we get to them. Most of our effort now is going into getting Don's P-40 finished and flying.

With Texas Raiders coming back, that will make 13 flying. My money is on the Urbana project to be number 14.

I believe that there are 4 under active restoration to fly - Shiffers in Urbana, OH, Mike Kellners "Desert Rat" in Illinois, Paul Allens in Washington, and Don Brooks in Douglas, GA.

Last edited by Chuck Giese on Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Ztex]

That TOM 2005 show! Dang...I'm sorry I missed soemthing like that!

Hope it can be done again when there are 12-23 B-17's and the 2 B-24's!






Borrowed photos from "fotki" thanks

[planeoldsteve]

Hi Chuck

Had a Great time last weekend aside from the cold bumpy ride over!!! The ride home made the day. It was great to meet you and see every one in Douglas.

Thanks Steve

[planeoldsteve]

Chuck

Was that the fuselage with out the skin on it next to the heated shop area, and do you know where the vertical stab came from? I didn’t think they got the tail out of the lake in Labrador? If it is for that airplane?

Steve

[FlyingFortB17]

...the photog is Mike Deskins

Thanks Randy!

As far as restorations, is the Planes of Fame Picadilly Lilly being actively restored? The plan was to make her a flyer again.

http://www.planesoffame.org/restorations.php?aircraft=b17flyingfortress

[Mike]

I believe that PoF are still at the fundraising stage.

[Chuck Giese]

Chuck

Was that the fuselage with out the skin on it next to the heated shop area, and do you know where the vertical stab came from? I didn’t think they got the tail out of the lake in Labrador? If it is for that airplane?

Steve

Yeah, that's what's left of the Dyke Lake fuselage. We've stripped it down about as far as we will go.

Not sure where Don got the fin & rudder from, he had it well before he recovered the B-17. Not sure if it's static or airworthy.

That *was* a slow and bumpy ride over, but the ride home sure made up for it. As much as I enjoy working on the Liberty Belle, I am glad that it has left for the summer tour. Now I can get back to working on the P-40 & Dyke Lake projects.

Chuck