Desert Rat visit 8-21-10 with pictures

[wwrw2007]

Sorry, the "photographer" (me) really apreciated the freedom everybody gave him to freely wander around. I felt funny snooping too much or I would have probably seen the 1820's. I enjoyed the visit. I can't wait to stop by again the next time I'm down there.

[DryMartini]

You may also have missed the B-17C parts stockpile. Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone!

[Chappie]

Will this Fort be restored in the B-17E or XC-108 configuration? It's gonna fly too right?


Chappie

[kidjim25]

She's most definately being restored to E status. The cargo door location has already been rebuilt into the standard bomber configuration and most of the floor that was put in to make it a transport has been removed. Also the bomb bay is been opened unlike on the XC-108. All -108 parts though are being saved for future consideration. The hard part is finding a Top Turret and Turret assembly correct for an E model

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Hello All,

It is great to see progress being made on Desert Rat. Even though it is slow and given what and where Mr. Kellner has to work with. And even more so, that it will be a FLYING "E" model. Truly a rare site when it is finished. On a bit of tongue in cheek question, does Mr. Kellner see any kind of time line in the aircraft's completion ? I know it will be a long one to be sure but does anyone have any thoughts on this matter or does any of our readers have Mr. Kellner's ear in this matter ?

Paul

[hang the expense]

I have the tailgun for the Rat almost done.Mike gets to rivet the thing together using the boeing rivets.You'll have loads of fun Mike.

[gary1954]

That would be interesting Gary, very interesting. I was just thinking about the powerplants for this project. Do they have the engines? Man the cost of getting four zero time motors is gonna be staggering.
Fantastic effort on the part of the restoration team. As a broke SOB I appreciate their hard work and dedication to get us non-paying admirers another warbird back in the sky.

[Chappie]

From the Aero Vintage Website Desert Rat Page, found here http://www.aerovintage.com/rat-4.htm :
"In any event, the airplane will be restored to a B-17E configuration with turrets and other equipment reinstalled. The planned paint scheme will be the standard AAF olive drab and gray with early style insignia to replicate the airplane as it was originally delivered from Boeing. The name Desert Rat will be reapplied as nose markings. A time frame for the restoration isn’t set; each task is performed as resources allow. The effort continues as a privately funded restoration and always welcomes assistance, financial or otherwise. It would appear that the hard work of Kellner and his volunteers will put yet another B-17 back into the air." (emphasis added)

That's good to hear. If a particular aircraft does not have a significant history, I like to see them in "as it rolled off the assembly line" scheme.



Chappie

[Django]

My friend Chuck did an interview with Mike, so check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P5ARQgzhH0&feature=fvsr

[Django]

Can someone pm me Mike Kellnor's phone number? Apparently I didn't transfer it into my new phone last year. Thanks!

[Rocketeer]

It certainly would be nice to see an airworthy B-17E with a paint scheme remniscent of the Pacific War.

[hang the expense]

It certainly would be nice to see an airworthy B-17E with a paint scheme remniscent of the Pacific War.

NOW,yur talkin.I'm thinking MUSTANG but so far its the RAT.

[ww2John]

@ Aircraft Mech Paul re:"timeline"
I have no connection with this project, but, when I visited Mike & his group way back in '97 I asked a similar question and Mike replied something along the lines of "It's only time & money" and then quipped something like "If I had the money I wouldn't need so much time".
My impression was this was an earnest realist who was doing the aircraft restoration equivalent of putting one foot in front of the other (the journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step sort of thing).
My hat is off to Mike and his volunteers. Help them out with a donation today...to buy them some time.

[sgt hawk]

You have to give Mike and his crew a lot of credit. They have done some great work on that old "E" model, and like many of us, if you don't have the funds you do the best you can. Stay at it guys and one of these days you will be haulin that beast to the nearest runway!