Warbird Information Exchange

How is Kee Bird much different than Liberty Bell? They both look to have had about the same level of destruction after the fire, or am I wrong??? If they are rebuilding the Liberty from whats left of the tail and wingtips, then Kee Bird is much the same, is it not? All of the major castings should be there. Thoughts?? No??

Not any more; see this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=58613&p=577945&hilit=stratocruiser#p577945

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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)

At the risk of stating the obvious...
One big difference between resurrecting the Liberty Belle vs. The Kee Bird:
Although huge by regular general aviation standards, the operating costs and feasibility of operating a B-17 is relativity reasonable.

The B-29, not so much. Just think of the problems the CAF has endured in operating Fifi.

In other words, there is a potential market for flying B-17s.
Witness the number currently under rebuild/construction. I don't think some of these groups would be spending years of work and mountains of money building something they won't be able to afford to fly when finished.

That market means a B-17 will have some residual value when the restorer comes to sell it. The higher costs of restoring and operating a B-29 probably would not be recouped in a sale. Most museums who would like a B-29 for static display already have one or couldn't afford to buy a rebuild of the extent needed by the Kee Bird.

Remember, rarity is not the only factor in determined by value, there has to be demand as well.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

This. The damage compared to Liberty Belle might be similar but LB didn't burn in Greenland.

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Always looking for WW2 Half-Tracks and Parts.

I forgot the Paul Allen E model...but I don't know if it is actively being worked on...the last time I saw it at Arlington it was pretty blown apart. No photos of course.

Jim

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www.spiritof44.com

What is the feasibility of forming and machining new spar tubes for the 17?

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Volunteer
Yankee Air Museum

I think its as simple as "no one wants to do it".... For years (decades) the aviation community knew where 5 more p-38s are sitting...and the recovery/restoration is/was indeed plausible, and they sat. Probably gone forever at this point.

Wing or bomb bay?

Bomb bay spar cap tubes are in progress.

Wing spar tubes have to be done, just haven't found anyone who can commit to doing it. The internal taper of the wall thickness is the current stumbling block.

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Best Regards;
Chuck Giese --- Volunteer helping to restore B-17G 44-85734 "Liberty Belle".