Prestons Pride unveil in Tulare, Ca.

[Decamara]

Restored B-17 to be unveiled Saturday in Tulare
https://kmph.com/news/local/restored-b- ... -in-tulare

[ALOHADAVE]

I still say it should be inside under cover

[Pat Carry]

I still say it should be inside under cover

Yes!!!

[ZRX61]

I still say it should be inside under cover

There are code issues with the adjacent hangar, but they're looking into it.

[Warbird Kid]

I still say it should be inside under cover

There are code issues with the adjacent hangar, but they're looking into it.

Looking at the hangar on Google Maps, that looks like the perfect location. If there is enough people in that area interested, you could turn that hangar into a nice little museum.

[ZRX61]

Looking at the hangar on Google Maps, that looks like the perfect location. If there is enough people in that area interested, you could turn that hangar into a nice little museum.

I believe that is the plan. I'm a bit familiar with hangar building codes, they're looking for a "historic structure" loophole of some sort so they don't have to spend a bunch of money bringing it up to current code.

[Chris Brame]

Edit: Spoke too soon. From the Tulare Chamber of Commerce Facebook page:


And from B-17 Archaeology's Facebook page:


1946 and 2018:


Big improvement!

[Jesse C.]

Wow! She cleaned up real nice! But, no anti bird defenses?

[aerovin]

Wow! She cleaned up real nice! But, no anti bird defenses?

Curious as to what you might suggest.

[G_MAN400]

correct me if I am wrong, didn’t b17archeology use some type of wax/sealer on the finish that’s good for 2ish years? Amvets would be responsible for upkeep?

[Kyleb]

Wow! She cleaned up real nice! But, no anti bird defenses?

Curious as to what you might suggest.

Screens over the engine compartments, supercharger inlets, etc. Do 'em in black mesh and they aren't that obvious.

[Jesse C.]

Wow! She cleaned up real nice! But, no anti bird defenses?

Curious as to what you might suggest.

Wow! She cleaned up real nice! But, no anti bird defenses?

Curious as to what you might suggest.

Screens over the engine compartments, supercharger inlets, etc. Do 'em in black mesh and they aren't that obvious.

And maybe some of those spike style strips over the high points, along with some dummy owls here and there.

[lmritger]

Unless I'm wrong, I believe this is the only B-17G to be restored back to her atomic testing markings- no, it may not be quite as "sexy" as an 8th AF scheme, but it is RIGHT and historically accurate, and the entire team deserves massive kudos for this choice, as well as for the efforts they've invested to turn this once-ratty Fort into a beautiful, sparkling attraction. Lots more to be done, for sure, but I feel very good about the future of Preston's Pride.

Well done!

Lynn

[steve dickey]

So is this one no longer named Preston's Pride? Haven't seen a pic of the RH yet as there is no name on anymore on the LH. Just curious.

[marine air]

those guys did such a fantastic job! I had wondered if after so many decades , what kind of shape the aluminum was in. Back in the 1980's I remember looking under the wing of the B-24J at Lackland AFB and it had the worst surface corrosion I had ever seen.
The fact that this B-17 looks so nice after this many years suggests that it will be okay in it's current dry location for many years.
A lot of aircraft hangars have an electron screeching system that keeps the birds away from the insides of the hangar. Maybe they could source one of these and have it wired to run continuously. It would be something that won't show up in the photos like the plastic owls. I was in a community hangar today looking at aircraft covered in bird poop and the plastic owls and snakes had lost their effectiveness.