Warbird Information Exchange

Are there any plans to make the B-24 airworthy?

The last time I remember their B-24 flying is when Collings B-24 had Schlitz Sponsorship which was between 1995-1999, because in the movie Seven-teen & Twenty-Four they have footage of "All American" flying with "Joe".

_________________
"Keep 'em Flying!"

Hmmm,

I am assuming that the 24 is outside because of the festivities on Saturday night?

Did anybody go to the Warbird Dinner?

_________________
"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

Terrific photos - thanks for sharing them! No A-26, though - was it there at all, or stuffed away someplace dark?

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

I guess no sign of the B-17G (44-83525) he has in disassembled storage?

The A-26 was mentioned by Kermit when he was answering questions, that it will be flying next year sometime. Its with Aero Trader, IIRC they did the B-25 as well.

I asked about the B-24 to the guides giving the tour why it was outside. I was hoping that it was going to be the flying aircraft of the day! But, they said it was outside b/c there was no place to put it at the moment.

The last time I saw the B-17 was pre-hurricane Andrew. The tour guides mentioned that it "flew" and was found a mile away. I never got a chance to ask about it, but I'm pretty sure its not the same B-17 that is on display in the diorama as Piccadily Lily.

Pete

Yep, the airplane inside is 44-83542, or the most parts of it, which flew as air tanker N9324Z. 44-83525 was reportedly moved from Tom Reilly's facility several years ago up to Polk City, and I thought it was stored outside at the facility. Hard to miss a B-17, though.

The hangars have been completely restacked since we were there in December. Marauder and B-24 were in the first hangar with the Spitfire.
Hangar #2 seemed to be where the flyers and pets were kept. ( P-51 Cripes A'Mighty & the C model, B-25).

Major restoration on the Marauder? Not sure what you would consider major ? Kermit said it was pickled, it would definitely need a thorough going over before it flew ( annual, hose replacement or at least checks, etc...) but I thought it was pretty well put together when he flew it out of California.

I would be neat if he got a B-29 put together. What's the status of Fetile Myrtle?

Across the street is another hangar, strictly for storage that is off limits. My guess is that 525 might be stored there. The diorama using 542 is pretty neat. Its complete and well stocked. You walk thru the back end and there is a suround soundtrack of a B-17 mission, complete with .50 cal guns, ic banter etc... Standing in the bomb bay if you look down there is a screen where you see the bomb bay opening and the target below. I have pics of the cockpit and bombadier postion on the photobucket album. Outside the B17 is displayed in mx, btwn eng 1 & 2 there is an access panel removed and a animatronic figure is working on it, all you see is a tourso and his leg going up and down with shop sounds eminating in the background. Bad thing is the display is too dark!!

quote" I would be neat if he got a B-29 put together. What's the status of Fetile Myrtle?"
Yes and the B-17 and Lancaster as well!! I don't know where he'll find the time!

Pete

Amazing pictures..thanks for posting...

Does anyone know when the B-24 and Marauder last flew?

Good to see that many of the aircraft rotate in and out of the hangars...

Here you go. This is what she looks like now.

_________________
Live to fly, Fly to live.....

Here is the cockpit of the A-26 at FOF in storage.

_________________
Live to fly, Fly to live.....

Say whaaaaaaat?????? Didn't Tallichet restore this aircraft less than 40 flight hours ago?

Didn't Aero Trader prepare it for the ferry flight to Polk City?