B-17G The Pink Lady 44-8844 [bad news]

[F3V]

I feel regret limmense to announce you that the Pink Lady is stopped of theft definitely, it will go to cross its retirement to Ferté Allais or she should be visible. Bigs regrets but it is better that a crash which would destroy her...
One of his mechanic had entrusted me two months ago the cost of insurance been unbearable, there was no chance that to continue adventure, maintenand it is confirmed, alas, my thoughts go to the crew Of the Pink Lady
Cédric

[Elroy13]

Sounds like she needs to come to the states!!!

[SPANNERmkV]

zoot allures!
c'est terrible mon ami.
j'espere que vous avez le systeme Americain pour l'insurance est des authorite' d'aviation.
Ne pas perfect, mais nous avons les droits aver Warbirds pour toute les gens.

Salut,
et Viva Le Pink Lady et toutes nos ALLIES FRANCAIS!!!!!!

Sorry for my even WORSE French! But I tried!
And I know my history well enough to know that there would not be a United States of America if it had not been for the assistance of France at Yorktown!

Last edited by SPANNERmkV on Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[F3V]

here in france it is very hard, European Union is a big problem for the warbirds.......

[B17news]

?
B

[Glen]

That really stinks ! Sorry to hear that. But you never know, stranger things have happen !

[mustanglover]

EASA

difficult to deal with

[airnutz]

European Union is a big problem for the warbirds.......

How Ironic! Without the warbirds...the EU may never have existed.
Sorry to hear of your misfortune folks.

[Nathan]

What happened?

[chico]

What happened?

Pink Lady will cease flight operations, and be put on display at La Ferté Allais, which seems sorta like the Oshkosh of France. Insurance costs brought about by sorta-recent changes in EU regulations concerning air carriers (She's treated the same for insurance purposes as a Southwest Airlines 737 would be treated here) have made the aircraft prohibitively expensive to fly, apparently for good. Sounds like the folks that were keeping her in the air have fought the good fight and lost.

I wonder, who owns Pink Lady? Is she privately held e.g. could she be sold, if the current owners wanted to? Not that we need another flying B-17 here stateside, but perhaps the Aussie warbird community would like some flying big iron? I hate to see a flying B-17 grounded, even if she will be well cared for.

[Mike]

I hate to see a flying B-17 grounded, even if she will be well cared for.

Then talk to that bunch over at Dayton. They've got a perfectly airworthy, ex-French B-17G with combat history parked up in one of their big sheds!

Sorry to hear that news, I always looked forward to seeing 'Pink Lady', especially in formation with 'Sally B' at Duxford's 'Flying Legends' show on a number of occasions.

[airnutz]

What happened?

Pink Lady will cease flight operations, and be put on display at La Ferté Allais, which seems sorta like the Oshkosh of France. Insurance costs brought about by sorta-recent changes in EU regulations concerning air carriers (She's treated the same for insurance purposes as a Southwest Airlines 737 would be treated here) have made the aircraft prohibitively expensive to fly, apparently for good. Sounds like the folks that were keeping her in the air have fought the good fight and lost.

I wonder, who owns Pink Lady? Is she privately held e.g. could she be sold, if the current owners wanted to? Not that we need another flying B-17 here stateside, but perhaps the Aussie warbird community would like some flying big iron? I hate to see a flying B-17 grounded, even if she will be well cared for.

I was wondering...if the owner could sell her/or incorporate her(on paper) and register and insure her
in the U.S., but base her at La Ferte Allais with her French owner with an N-number??

[SPang]

Hello F3V,

I'm not agree with you because i have see many people who work on the airplane and now the Pink Lady is based at Melun.
Transfer make last week and i have see the departure.

Many pieces will be transfer to Melun and some work are previous for this winter to maintain the aircraft in flight condition for the 2008 season of airshow.

SPang

[F3V]

In September Michel Bézy said to me that it was finished in 95 %) two months later Roger Chauvelot (engine driver) held me the same version which it was impossible to continue more, he even added me that the whole crew was very sad of this perspective, finally they had said to me two months ago everything was ended.
If you saw mechanics on the plane it is undoubtedly for the visits of 25 and 50 hours and be able to be a change of motor (there over I do not know) But if only she had to fly next year it is that a member of FTV in earned(won) in raffle, but if that was the case, good news really but it is little probable, alas
It was always say that she would be supported in state of flying even if she made no more season of airshow. but if se fly in 2008 it's could be a miracle

Last edited by F3V on Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

[F3V]

I was wondering...if the owner could sell her/or incorporate her(on paper) and register and insure her
in the U.S., but base her at La Ferte Allais with her French owner with an N-number??

Good idea but I don't know if it's could be possible for FTV