Don Brooks' B-17 restoration

[SPANNERmkV]

Thanks for the pictures Walt...
I cannot even imagine hand starting an R-1820-97
But there are instructions right on the cowling!

While every bit of those wings needs TLC they look a lot better than I would have guessed from the description of it being under ice and moved.

GET HER FLYING!

SPANNER

[richkolasa]

GET HER FLYING!

SPANNER

Maybe the warbird version of the "Larry the cable guy" cry should be "gitter-up"...as in "up in the sky, where she belongs".

Rich

[aerovin]

Thanks for the pictures Walt...
I cannot even imagine hand starting an R-1820-97
But there are instructions right on the cowling!

SPANNER

I'm thinking this is for using a hand crank to energize the inertia starter. Hand propping an R-1820 might be a bit beyond even those capable AAF ground crewmen, although I'm sure someone out there will say that it's been done....

[SPANNERmkV]

Scott,
Right you are! We even have one of the brackets to mount on an engine mount for hand cranking...
TEXAS RAIDERS had the old inertial starters changed to a more conventional starter at some point in her illustrious career.
We just have a single switch to throw, instead of the energize and Git 'er turnin"

As to "Get 'er up" I like it, but I would be real careful where I used it.

SPANNER the Warbird Guy

[Steve Nelson]

I'm sure someone out there will say that it's been done....

Closest I can come is a dude hand-propping a P&W R-985 on a BT-13 circa 1986 (battery was dead.)

SN

[airnutz]

Ahh yes, the legendary "cough man" starter.
Attitude Check!??
F**K YOU!!
Thank you, carry on !!

[BadgerDave]

Thanks for the pictures Walt...
I cannot even imagine hand starting an R-1820-97
But there are instructions right on the cowling!

SPANNER

I'm thinking this is for using a hand crank to energize the inertia starter. Hand propping an R-1820 might be a bit beyond even those capable AAF ground crewmen, although I'm sure someone out there will say that it's been done....

Let's just say I wouldn't recommend telling Paul Poberezny it can't be done on a C-47. I know multiple people who saw him do this multiple times. More than a few folks bet he couldn't do this, and walked away poorer.

FYI,
Dave

[Chuck Giese]

Thanks for the pictures Walt...
I cannot even imagine hand starting an R-1820-97
But there are instructions right on the cowling!

SPANNER

I'm thinking this is for using a hand crank to energize the inertia starter. Hand propping an R-1820 might be a bit beyond even those capable AAF ground crewmen, although I'm sure someone out there will say that it's been done....

Let's just say I wouldn't recommend telling Paul Poberezny it can't be done on a C-47. I know multiple people who saw him do this multiple times. More than a few folks bet he couldn't do this, and walked away poorer.

FYI,
Dave

1830's are a much different breed. I would miss them every time I had to pull through the 1820's on the B-17.

[earnie]

with the sad loss of liberty belle is there a chance that the remains of her will be incorporated into this restoration
as i see this the following parts look salvageable
1) props
2) engines
3) cowlings
4) cheek blisters
5) chin turret
6) front crew door
7) horizontal stabilizers
verticle stabalizer
9) aft tail empennage
10) outboard wing tips
11) outboard fuel tanks
12) tail gear assembly

and the following look rebuildable
1) ailerons
2) elevators
3) rudder
4) outboard wing sections

as i see it with what remains of liberty belle
and "790"
there should be enough to get a darn good start
and with drawings one could recreate what is missing

asi see this the center empennage , dorsal, and nose section could be recreated out of the remains of bell and 790 by grafting what is left of both together

[earnie]

any new updates or new pics of this aircraft please show us whats up with her