My Epic Urbana B-17 Flying Fortress Odyssey

[Shay]

I'm in love with the Urbana B-17

I drove out to Urbana Ohio to check out the B-17 they are restoring. And I have to say I've never met a nicer bunch of guys and gals.

I was in the Hangar less than a minute and they had me holding peice of wing structure while they were taking it apart. I was more than impressed with their progress. Today was their one year anniversary since starting the restoration.

They stopped what they were doing and talked with me for a long while while we discussed the ins and outs of the B-17 etc. etc.
I felt very welcome there and definately plan to volunteer of a regular basis.


But I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Oh yeah it's out there in the Heartland




Anyone want a slice of apple pie?




The project is located at a cozy little airfield known as Grimes






She wanted to take the bomber home




































The turtle deck is going on real soon




























Lots and lots of parts....it's a major undertaking




















They've got 3 beautiful engines....still looking for a 4th.


Graffiti from the hardworking line workers at Boeing found of the skin of the wing.














A hidden squadron marking that was uncovered while stipping the tail









An everybody better remember who to root for on monday

GO BUCKS!!!





Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Last edited by Shay on Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:23 pm, edited 5 times in total.

[CorsairFreak]

Really nice work. What are the plans once they finish restoring it? Will they make a museum down there or what?

GO BUCKEYES!!!

[Matt Gunsch]

How stupid a subject line. You need to stop and think about how you present a subject.

[Steve Nelson]

Great pics, but you dang near gave me a heart attack with the title!

I understand Tom Rielly is running this restoration. Where did this bird come from? The name suggests she was one of the airframes dumped in the desert during the nuke tests back in the '50s. Looks like it'll be more new metal than original once it's done, but I'm not complaining..another B-17 in the air is a good thing!


SN

[Ztex]

Sorry to say I nearly swallowed my tongue with that subject line....I still have a quesy feeling.



Great photos and update on this most amazing of projects...thanks

Z

[Bill Greenwood]

Shay, nice presentation, but not the lead-in title. I was in tech school at Chanute AFB and used to visit Champaign Urbana on weekends.

[Taylor Stevenson]

Scared me to death! Great pics though. Thanks.

[Mudge]

Shay,
Great pictures.
Do another title line like that and I'm gonna' have to hurt ya'.

Mudge the enforcer

[APG85]

WOW! They are really moving along with this plane. Are they missing anything major i.e. upper turret, landing gear, etc.?

[Shay]

I understand Tom Rielly is running this restoration. Where did this bird come from? The name suggests she was one of the airframes dumped in the desert during the nuke tests back in the '50s. Looks like it'll be more new metal than original once it's done, but I'm not complaining..another B-17 in the air is a good thing!

Yes this is the Tom Reilly B-17 or it will be a B-17 once it's put back together. Actually if I'm not mistaken all the major components are coming from 4 different B-17s. A SB-17G and a QB-17G are two of the types types that make up the collection of parts.

The plans as I understand it are that the B-17 will be based out of Grimes in Urbana. It will be housed in a as yet unbuilt hangar that will also be needed to facilitate final assembly of all the major sections.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Last edited by Shay on Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

Is this a B-17E or a G. I can't remember.

[Shay]

WOW! They are really moving along with this plane. Are they missing anything major i.e. upper turret, landing gear, etc.?

I do beleive they are looking for a dorsal turret. And with as many stashes of parts they had around there, they will still be in need of more.

I can confrim that the Ball turret that the have is indeed the Greenly Co. Bar turret. It's interesting in that they plan to make everything as functional as possible. I saw a lot of turret motors, controls and parts galore. They're going at it full bore.

What I found out and thought was intersting was that at the moment there are 4 B-17s under restoration. And the Buddy system seems to be in full effect. Between the 4 projects they have been working together to figure out who has what parts and who needs what parts made and so on. A good amount of friendly bardering going on.

They are still looking for a radio room. Appearently the last one they had a lead on a farmer dug a big pit in the ground. Dropped in the radio room and made it into a cellar. Wierd huh? So the search continues I guess. I'm going out there again this week so i'm sure I'll get more of the stories and get my facts straight. I'd like to try and make it a weekly routine but I have to check with the boss (wife). If so It would nice to follow in Gary's footsteps and try to provide WIX with a blow by blow of this ground-up resurrection.

Bottom line is that these folks are top notch and are as pleasant as can be.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Shay]

Is this a B-17E or a G. I can't remember.

G model

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[sabredriver]

i dislike the title topic rather stupid unless it was true but it aint...

[warbirdguy]

The old title got you to read the post didn't it?