Warbird Information Exchange

She's starting to look much more complete.
At the end of the video they reference plans for a WWII-era aircraft fly in May 17-19 2018.
That's a possibility for a pretty unique gathering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uKkrhJowGQ

Andy

As they have done in the past for B-25 gatherings flying to the USAF Museum for the Doolittle Raid anniversaries, the Champaign Aviation Museum is arranging this year a B-17 gathering ahead of the Memphis Belle unveiling at the USAF Museum.

http://www.champaignaviationmuseum.org/
https://www.facebook.com/events/152105082230123/

(It brings up the interesting possibility that the "Movie Memphis Belle" could be flown in for the event.)

This page has a little more information about the Urbana B-17 gathering:

https://www.facebook.com/b17GatheringUrbana2018/

From looking through posts on the page, it appears that a handful of P-51s and the following B-17s are expected to be in attendance:

Movie Memphis Belle
Aluminum Overcast
Yankee Lady
Madras Maiden

I'm looking forward to seeing the Belle when it's completed. Probably won't make it over for the B-17 event, but will definitely plan a visit to NMUSAF some time in the next year. It will be interesting to see where the Belle is placed on display. Last time I visited (spring 2017), the signage for the Belle exhibit was located where the B-24D is currently display. I wonder if there will be some rearranging in the WWII Gallery.

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Matt

I looked through https://www.facebook.com/b17GatheringUrbana2018/ and can not find anything on a handful of P-51s

I would love to see what the interior looks like.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Me too. I would be willing to bet that probably very little has been done to the interior other than possibly paint and minor hardware, brackets, mounting, etc. IIRC, there was a press release from the NMUSAF stating that basically even though the M.B. would go on display in the public hangar, that the restoration is far from over, and all or most of the interior work would be accomplished "in situ" while on display at the museum. Also, based on what I've read on other forums and facebook postings, I get the distinct impression that this restoration is somewhat "rushed" and they are in a hurry to get it completed prior to May. Perhaps someone close to the Belle can either confirm or deny if that is true.

The loo's probably like this:

(courtesy Bomber Command Museum)
Sorry, Pat, it was too easy...

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

There have been regular video updates on Facebook by NMUSAF but not much comment on WIX. That's neither good nor bad, just surprising to me.

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

At this time, only Yankee Lady will be flying out of Urbana. Aluminum Overcast is scheduled to fly out of Dayton - Wright Brothers airport. Both airplanes will be at the NMUSAF Wed - Fri. No other aircraft are currently scheduled, although work is ongoing to attract others.

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Best Regards;
Chuck Giese --- Volunteer helping to restore B-17G 44-85734 "Liberty Belle".

Yeah ... the posts on that page sounded a lot more lofty when the page initially went live. There was another page that turned out not to be associated with the event that mentioned the possibility of the "little friends" also attending, but that post has since been taken down. I'd be surprised if the "Gathering of B-17s" turned out to be any more than Yankee Lady giving rides, but maybe that will change in the next couple months.

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Matt

I've already made my accommodation reservations for the event! Found a Red Roof Inn really close to Wright Field!

Make your hotel accommodation NOW as you can always cancel if plans do not materialize.

www.fuselagecodes.com

I often wonder what an event can do to "attract others" short of coming up with cash? I ask in all earnestness (is that a word?)

When the 509th CG planned and held their final reunion (although the second generation members had such a good time they held another one) in Wendover we did everything we could to get a B-29 here. Basically despite the historical moment - Gen Tibbetts IV came and a B-2 did a fly-by - it came down to the cost of fuel and an appearance fee. We were unable to find a sponsor for that kind of $$ and so, it ended up being awesome, just much lower key than we had hoped to make it for the veterans and their families.

Tom P.

Yeah, and that's the problem. B-17s today work for a living, the days of the deep pocket owners are gone. 8 of the 9 flying in the U.S. support themselves with a ride program, along with some air show appearances.

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Best Regards;
Chuck Giese --- Volunteer helping to restore B-17G 44-85734 "Liberty Belle".