Updates on B-17 rebuilds?

[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.

[RMAllnutt]

Ah, so that's what happened to this tail section. Actually, while the work on the restoration looked impressive, I was kind of sad that they replaced so much original structure with newly built parts. It seemed rather sad, considering it was a static airframe that they decided to do this... yes, I know there was a good deal that had to be replaced because it was really badly crushed, but a good deal of the tail section of My Gal Sal looked very restoreable. Oh well, who am I to complain. It will be a hell of a memorial when it's finished.

Cheers,
Richard