Air Scouts B-17G, Paducah, KY 1946 CONFIRMED!!!

[wendovertom]

sold for scrap. . . . Not that it makes any difference, but I wonder how accurate the statement is that he had to either maintain or sell for scrap? What was the difference from those who bought them for transport or other purposes?

Tom P.

[Chris Brame]

In a word, the price - $350 would buy the use of a B-17 as a training aid or memorial (title would remain with the government); $13,750 (+ -) would buy the plane free and clear.

[Chris Brame]

Here lies a similar story:
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... f=3&t=5457

At least someone took a picture of '715 from a rear angle!

This one's a mystery too at the moment, but between several of us on the Aero Vintage forum (Scott Thompson, Dan Johnson, David Gansz, and me) it looks like we have the serial narrowed down to one of two airframes:

https://www.aerovintage.com/forum/viewt ... cfc45b479e
Very similar story to the Paducah plane. Now to find that one photo or piece of paperwork that solves the puzzle!

[Chris Brame]

One more update: These are the mortal remains of TB-17G 42-102875. Radio, gyro fluxgate compass indicator, large liquid compass, fuel gauge, flap indicator and three headsets. The surviving gauges were damaged by vandals and were pulled out just before the plane was scrapped; the radio was converted to household current and, according to the owner, still works:





Sorry that one was blurry; I only had an hour to spend with the man and I was shooting a lot of photos, mostly of a big stack of pilot reports. '875's last flight report was dated September 25, 1945 - about three weeks later it was sent to Walnut Ridge.

[Adam Kline]

Fantastic thread. This is why I love WIX. Thank you all Chris/Scott everyone!!!!

[p51]

I looked it up and thought some of you had also never heard about the Air Scouts...
http://seniorscoutinghistory.org/senior ... couts.html

[Chris Brame]

A third photo has turned up, such as it is: