AZ WIXers, Liberty Belle sited at falcon Field!

[p51ds]

Liberty Belle is at the CAF hanger. Not sure why. Didn't have time to ask. Anybody know? Pure speculation is something with an engine. Engine hoist looked like it had just finished some work.

[Chad Veich]

She's scheduled to be out at Deer Valley giving rides this coming weekend.

[Chris]

Number two prop off. Number five cylinder same engine has rocker arms odd. (Maybe cylinder change). Three bolts on thrust bearing plate missing. also number one engine uncowled. I'll find out more tomorrow.

[Chris]

#2 engine sheared some bolts on the thrust bearing plate and a new nose case has been put on. Nos 1,3, & 4 being freshened up by Eddie Packard and his crew. Eddie is the builder of all four engines on Liberty Belle as well as Sentimental Journey. Otherwise the plane is just getting some TLC and should be back up soon. Nice to have it on the ramp though.

[Alan Brooks]

Hey Chris... must be nice to have TWO B-17's on the field......I see Barbie III has gone back home...... so when is the "Maid" gonna see some air under those wings??????????? Inquiring minds want to know! Or, at least I do. Alan

[bluethunder28]

I just wished she would come out a little farther west. She is the only touring B-17 that I haven't seen.

[TimAPNY]

Hey Chris... must be nice to have TWO B-17's on the field......I see Barbie III has gone back home...... so when is the "Maid" gonna see some air under those wings??????????? Inquiring minds want to know! Or, at least I do. Alan

I'd also love to know!

Tim

[Matt Gunsch]

I was at Falcon yesterday and Barbie was still there, she was over at Gene's place for some maint. A little run down of what was there

2) B-17s Liberty Bell, Sentimental Journey
3) B-25s, Barbie, Ole Grey Mare, Maid in a Shade

and 3 generations of torpedo bombers. The Swordfish, Hans's TBM-3 and the Guardian.

I was out there meeting one of the WWII pilots that flew Hans's TBM with VT-88 off the Yorktown.

[Alan Brooks]

Matt, you guys have definitely become a hot spot in warbird arena.....
That sounds like too much fun for the other day, especially when all of the vets are on hand.......... Still, how much more does "Maid" have to go?
Alan

[Matt Gunsch]

They are having some trouble with the flaps right now, still have to do engine runs and taxi tests, along with sorting out 25yrs of work and paperwork.

[Chris]

Hey Alan, Pete Loguda and his crew are still working on the myriad of little stuff that pops up unexpectedly. They're fighting with the emergency flap cables and right now it's a standoff. I expect that sometime this summer it should be ready to go. When the B-17 goes out on tour and they can move the "Maid" outside, they can fill the oil and fuel and check for leaks. Eddie Packard wnts to put another 4 or 5 hours on the engines on the ground and then there is the FAA certification. Otherwise, all else is going smoothly. I'll post some pics of the plane when they pull it out in the sun and again as they run the engines and fly.

[Abbott]

....Uh...Where is Falcon Field Located ?......thanks .

[Chris]

Falcon field is located in Mesa Arizona about 30 miles east of Phoenix.

[bluethunder28]

Corner of McDowell and Greenfield is where the CAF is located.

[Matt Gunsch]

McKellips and Greenfield, Not McDowell, that is the next street to the North