Urbana B-17 "Champagne Lady" Update 25 June 2010

Shay · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:00 pm

Well made a trip out to Urbana to check on the progress being made on the B-17 and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The spi has com a long way from being a pile of parts. The onsite folks were friendly as always and appeared to have a fire lit under them. I asked what was needed to help with getting Fortress back in the air and I was told the Financial aspect has been covered but what is really needed is “Man-Power” in the form of Volunteers. Skilled or Unskilled doesn’t matter. All motivated individuals will to take instruction are welcome.

I tried to see the A-26 and C-47 over at the new facility but no one was home. So another trip is in order.

Anyways I’ll let the pictures do the talking:

Won’t be long ……

Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis

gary1954 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:43 pm

Wow...Great photo update, looks like they are Ka-Rusin' right along.
I have a brain cramp right this minute, and can't recall where this airframe came from.
to quote a government Contract Doctor, can you please refresh me of the case?

TriangleP · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:23 pm

Awesome pictures, great update! I'm getting stoked from way over here in Calee-for-nee-I-A. I like your photos better than their own website!
Gary, this aircraft had been modified by Curtiss-Wright for a turboprop in the nose. Here's what their website has on it:
http://www.b17project.com/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=29

Misterg97 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:33 pm

Shay,

Thanks for the update .. I was there a while back and they treated us well ... really enjoyed the visit and glad to see they are coming along.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:09 pm

Great update, Thanks

Tim

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:42 pm

thanks for the tour!! 1st class pics!!! 1st class restoration, 1st class facility & a well organized place trying to make heads from tails with more metal & wire than an orthodontist!! they look like real pros.

Andy in West Oz · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:40 am

Phwoar, BIG job. Thanks for posting the pics.

APG85 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:06 am

WOW!!!

Rauhbatz · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:34 am

Greetings....

As a recent transplant back to Ohio, this would be a good oppty for me to not go crazy over the winter months. I used to do some work on the CAF Dixie Wing birds when living back in ATL...

As Im a pilot I consider myself unskilled labor

but should be able to help out here and there. Is there a website/contact info somewhere?

APG85 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:53 am

Rauhbatz wrote:

Is there a website/contact info somewhere?

http://www.b17project.com/

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2493

In the middle of that series of pictures, there is one of a wing that has corrugated metal on both sides. Is that for the B-17? I wasn't aware that the Fort used any corrugated metal on the wings. Anyone care to elaborate?

Nice pix!

I really wish someone would do that same kind of project for a B-24, BTW.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:20 am

i wondered the same thing as warbird 1, but i can't figure where that crinkled corregated metal fits in with the construction of a 17. is it some form of a working jig??

the330thbg · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:28 am

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Ztex · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:37 am

The corrugated material is inside the wing, under the skin.

You can see it here in one of Bill's pictures of Chuckie. This hole is where the inboard fuel bladder goes.

B-25 C · **Posted:** Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:47 am

Excellent work and progress. Keep it up. Pic. too

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Urbana B-17 "Champagne Lady" Update 25 June 2010

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