DUAN book review - USAAF 1st CBW in Europe during WW2

[Liberator3]

The latest Down Under Aviation News book review is now online. The review focuses on WW2 USAAF era B-17 Flying Fortress operations in Europe.

Closer to home, B-17s also flew from Australia during WW2 from assorted northern bases to attack targets in the south west Pacific.

As many may know Reevers Warbirds - Australia​ is working on Australia's only known B-17 Flying Fortress warbird project in Adelaide.

https://downunderaviationnews.wordpress ... ld-war-ii/

[JohnB]

Tell us about the B-17.
Is it a substantial project or a collection of damaged parts?

Given the nature of Spitfire dataplate rebuilds, the "box o'bits" and a viable project seem to be synonymous, not so with B-17s unless the owner plans on writing a large check to one of the specialist firms in America who can, and are, building major fuselage sections.

The sheer size and specialized nature of the wing box construction put a B-17 project in another league than fighter rebuilds.
Similarly, there are lots of Lancaster bits around but no one calls them a "project".

[Kyleb]

The sheer size and specialized nature of the wing box construction put a B-17 project in another league than fighter rebuilds.

I know the wing is big, but is it that complicated? I was at Tom Reilly's place in the fall and they had the spar structure "kit" in the workshop. Looked like several extruded tubes and a bunch of gussets. Practically snap together.

[JohnB]

Being 1930s technology I'm sure it's not rocket science, but compared to a Spitfire or Mustang....if nothing else, the sheer size would be daunting.

Doing it in America would be one thing, in Australia where there aren't the specialists and jigs...would be another matter. I'm short, I have my doubts.

Based on past posts, I think the group calling it a "project" is a bit complimentary, and perhaps a bit self aggrandizing.
If Scott Thompson calls it a viable project, that's another matter.

[Invader26]

Based on past posts, I think the group calling it a "project" is a bit complimentary, and perhaps a bit self aggrandizing.

John Nobody always seems to post negative and derisive comments about others. I'm very keen to see his aircraft and contributions other than sitting in the beachers sniping!

I can tell you pal, Reevers are real people doing real things...get off the couch and do some work!

[JohnB]

I'm not sniping, but from the many posts I've seen here and other places, I do think their PR apparatus is a bit over done.
I don't know whether it's from the group or just an over enthusiastic volunteer.

I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings or demean the group's work...I know they are working on and rescued from the middle of nowhere, well done for that.

In short, don't oversell your group or yourself.
This should be a place for facts, not hype.

[airnutz]

The Reevers have done some great stuff, but ya gotta admit Oscar they're kinda late to the internet self promotion game...or maybe it's just us being so far away. They have often been reported or active in Aussie forums and periodicals. See Reevers Warbirds Australia on facebook(they say they'll have a website this year!), tho I haven't seen mention of that B-17 there....

[Invader26]

Chaps, they don't blow their own trumpet like some. 90% of comments I see about their activities are from a couple of 3rd parties. THey have no obligation to keep WIX fully informed! THey are doing their bit to preserve our aviation warbird heritage - end of story.

I've been attacked on here years ago by a joker who accused me of falsifying information about aircraft that I owned. When presented with the facts accused my of making it up.

I very much enjoy this place and in particular Mark but he too was subject to ridicule and withdrew for a period and now thankfully is back. Please remember posts here are not legal depositions but information only.

Anyway have another

[Zac Yates]

Chaps, they don't blow their own trumpet like some.

Isn't the original poster - who puts Reevers updates on this forum and the Key Publishing site - Reevers' own PR person?

I've been attacked on here years ago by a joker who accused me of falsifying information about aircraft that I owned. When presented with the facts accused my of making it up.

I grew up reading Classic Wings Downunder so I was already familiar with you and your history before joining the site, so I found it amusing whenever someone questioned your credentials!

[Mark Allen M]

I very much enjoy this place and in particular Mark but he too was subject to ridicule and withdrew for a period and now thankfully is back.

If this Mark is me Mark, thx for the kind words. As far as ridicule the only ridicule I took is what I foolishly accepted. Rarely do I allow some crackpot to get under my skin as experience has helped deal with that nonsense. Doesn't mean I won't open a can of whoop*ss on a Troll from time to time. It's far too easy to take a well meaning thread and throw it in the toilet. happens all the time.

Anyone who turns a wrench, pounds some aluminum, get grease and blood mixed together working on some old airplane, are the right folks to be posting on this site IMHO.

Keep up the good work.

[Liberator3]

John its clear your seeking information that a warbird owner doesnt wish to share.

But before we delve into that lets look at some facts. Ive been in aviation media since 2009 as I was chosen from across Australia to replace a person, no more than Invader 26 himself, in a national aviation magazine as its warbird news column reporter. Why me - because I have the ability to research/sniff out stories, exclusives and do whats important by warbird owners ......which is sit on their personal/classified information until they want it released. Sometimes i know months ahead of others but i just have to sit on it....

Ive worked with warbird projects ranging from Catalinas, P-40 Kittyhawks, B-24 Liberators, FW-190s, MIG-21s, Reevers collection, C-47 Dakotas and many more and in doing so owners have put their faith in me, given me their information and i create their press releases at times when they need it public.

Reevers has many things on Australias sole B-17 Flying Fortress project that I cant release public yet because well we have no intention to do so until we wantyou the public to know.

I get published in Australia at times, the USA at times and the UK at times. I must be pretty effective as a journalist and photographer to get such a global reach for what is a very small time volunteer role that i do.

I rarely post nowadays on WIX because its people like you John who ruin it for the rest, who claim what we do at Reevers is HYPE....
So you can refresh your mind John.. Reevers is a multi focused organisation which has a B-26 Invader, 1.5 B-25 Mitchell and a B-17 Flying Fortress project underway besides a Yale trainer and much more. We dont reveal what we do until we have things complete or done in some cases.