Warbird Information Exchange

Message from B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe

Today we received the great news from the CAA that our aircraft is again airworthy AND allowed to fly!

You will recall that five weeks ago the American FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) to B-17 Operators, to check the main spar fittings for cracks, meaning that all flying B-17’s were grounded.

This happened a few days before the beginning of the 2023 flying season, and although we were disappointed, we had no other choice than to ground the aircraft and do the checks.

Because Sally B had left her winter home in hangar T2 North at IWM Duxford a few weeks earlier, we now urgently needed hangar space to complete the checks. And guess what - the Imperial War Museum came to our rescue allowing our B-17 into their vast Airspace Hangar, thank You IWM. Once inside, the volunteer Sally B engineering team led by Chief Engineer Daryl Taplin and his deputy Steve Carter stepped up, and soon the wing spar was ready to be inspected by the “Non-Destructive Testing” specialists

After a lot of work, the Engineering Team finished the structural repairs on the wing and wing ribs – a massive job. The results containing the great news were then sent to the CAA and the FAA, who today gave us the go-ahead and our aircraft is now airworthy again. Thank You, all of you who made this happen.

Our B-17’s first flight will be test flying and crew training at Duxford and Cambridge tomorrow, Friday 23 June, followed by the Duxford Summer air show on 24 and 25 June. A full list of shows can be found on our website under Flying programme.

After a lot of work, the Engineering Team finished the structural repairs on the wing and wing ribs – a massive job.

Just out curiosity, did you pull the wings off or accomplish it with the wings on?