Kermitt Weeks B-17's, and A-26

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:14 pm

Hey guys and gals I was wondering if anyone knew what was going on with Weeks' B-17 that was under restoration in Tom Reilly's place, the A-26 "whislter's mother", and if anyone had a good shot of the other B-17 that Weeks owns that is on display at the fantasy of Flight. I was there and I could not get any good pics of it because of the lighting. Thanks in advance.

fotobass · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:32 pm

I do, but I gotta find it. Give me a few...

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:49 pm

Like this one????????????

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:21 pm

Ouch !! Is that the one that is in the display hangar that you walk through?

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:01 pm

Quote:

Ouch !!

nothing quite like a A-bomb to ruin your whole day :!:

aerovin · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:14 pm

Kermit Weeks' 44-83525 has been in storage at Polk City for many years after it was also stored at Tom Reilly's. The only work that I think has been done on it was insurance-paid work after the hurricane. I don't think there are any immediate plans to restore it. Here is a fairly recent shot of it from Chuck Gardner from the www.aerovintage.com site:

As for 44-83542, or the major portions thereof, it is difficult to photograph but here is a photo posted on the www.aerovintage.com website:

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:42 pm

Thanks, I wonder what his plans are for the one in storage?

rwdfresno · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:52 pm

Last year I was down at Aero Trader and they had done considerable work on "Whistler's Mother". They took it down pretty far for the restoration and at one point had the entire fuselage apart and in jigs. The work looked great as does everything they do. It will be a nice bird when they are done.

fotobass · **Posted:** Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:39 pm

Sorry it took me so long...

wls3 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:17 am

Here are a couple of older photos.

First was taken at Weeks Air Museum in Tamiami, FL of Whistler's Mother.

Second was taken in Kissimmee of 44-83525 when still in pretty rough shape.

Bill

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:55 pm

Thanks guys. Fotoboss, do you mind if I use your pic for my photo album. I could not get a good pic of it when I was there.

APG85 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:06 pm

Is that B-17 (Piccadilly Princess) being supported underneath by something? Whats the big green thing under the belly area?

aerovin · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:17 pm

I think that there is a bomb bay projection system that makes it look like the airplane is on a bomb run, or at least in the air.

PhantomAce08 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:24 pm

aerovin wrote:

I think that there is a bomb bay projection system that makes it look like the airplane is on a bomb run, or at least in the air.

I think your right. You don't see anything, but then on the screens, you see the doors open and the ground below you. Its actually pretty neat!

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:32 pm

I think so as well. It is a great display that I really enjoyed.

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Kermitt Weeks B-17's, and A-26

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