Updates on B-17 rebuilds?

[DryMartini]

Anything you want to know in particular?

[Chuck Gardner]

Tom Reily is working on Don Brooks second B-17 in Dougals, GA.

[Chuck Giese]

Anybody out there have any current news to share on how the following B-17 rebuilds are progressing:

B-17E (XC-108) "Desert Rat".

Web pages are somewhat out of date. On the waist gunner section, the left side skin is on, (no more cargo door opening or clecos!!!) just need to finish the window support angles. Right side need to rivet the two skins around the window. Windows are in. Next we'll roll it on it's side, and remove the cargo floor. Also need to fabricate the 50 cal gun mounts. Then it's time to resume working on the cockpit and attach the nose.

B-17G that was retrieved from Canada by Don Brooks.

They have the fuselage inside, and have started removing the skins. We're making some replacement ribs for the forward fuselage for them. They don't have a good solution yet for the rear fuselage (natural break back to tail gun compartment).

[Randy Haskin]

They don't have a good solution yet for the rear fuselage (natural break back to tail gun compartment).

I wonder why they don't use some of those crashed firebomber parts that are sitting out next to Riley's place....

[Chuck Giese]

I wonder why they don't use some of those crashed firebomber parts that are sitting out next to Riley's place....

IIRC, those are all part of the B-17 project that Reilly is/was selling. I don't think Don wants a third B-17.

[bdk]

Planes of Fame B-17 has recently had the many layers of paint stripped off. I don't think that they have collected enough money to start the restoration yet. I think they are just doing a little preservation until they are ready for the big job ahead.

[MX304]

Texas Raiders is about a year from being done. They hope to have her at CAF airsho if funding can be found quicky enough to keep progress going vorward at it's current pace.

[MX304]

Texas Raiders is about a year from being done. They hope to have her at CAF airsho if funding can be found quicky enough to keep progress going forward at it's current pace.

[warbirdguy]

Texas Raiders is still a few years from being done. Supposedly they continue to find new corrosion on her as they go along, although they continue to repair the corrosion they have already found. Hopefully she will be flying again soon! Go to www.gulfcoastwing.org for the most up to date information!

[airnutz]

The Gulf Coast Wing homepage NOW-photo of Texas Raiders is a little
misleading. The fuselage is still up on jackstands, but she's got a hanger
over her now...just barely. The wings rest next to the fuse, as of Oct. 3.

[ww2John]

I am sure that most of you know this web site (link below), but for those of you who do not visit Scott Thompson's Aero-Vintage web site with additional information about B17's (& B25's), here it is:

http://www.aerovintage.com/b17news.htm

[aerovin]

Rob,

I can't add anything to what's been posted here already. When I get items I incorporate them into my news pages as quickly as possible. I rely on guys involved with the individual projects to feed me stuff, and they graciously do so on a regular basis. There's also much information that first surfaces on this forum. Sorry I can help fill in the holes.

[eric_stevens]

I was at the Air Force museum in Dayton today and the guide mentioned when the Belle is done it will be going into another building that is going to be started soon. It is going to be an Air Force conference center. He also said that the Belle will be on a rotating platform for all to see. This building will include the Presidential airplanes. I asked him about Shoo Shoo baby and he said they are going to keep it where it is at.

[RMAllnutt]

As a possible solution to the tail-less Don Brooks B-17.... have they contacted Jack Erickson, as they recovered a B-17 section from an Alaskan(?) lake about ten years ago in very decent condition. I would have thought that it would provide a perfect solution and imagine that it would be for sale at the right price.

Cheers,
Richard

[aerovin]

Check it out from the Aero Vintage B-17 page (http://www.aerovintage.com/b17news.htm)

"February 2005
Gary Larkins sent a photo of the restored aft fuselage section of B-17F 42-30861, recovered by Larkins from a remote Alaskan lake in 1996. The fuselage section is being shipped to the Ultimate Sacrifice facility located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where it will rejoin another Larkins restoration, B-17E 41-9032, otherwise known as My Gal Sal. The aft fuselage section will be completed with the reinstallation of guns, ammo cans, control cables, and other interior parts. Recent news from the Ultimate Sacrifice group in Cincinatti has been slow in coming, as their website has not been updated for over a year. However, things are apparently progressing and it seems that part of another B-17 will also be displayed there when the memorial opens. "



I'm not sure this tail section has been restored to airworthy standards since it is just for static display.