Ok now that we're done with the hangar dance and my trip to California last weekend is past, we finally got back to work on the B-17. Our first priority is to comply with the dreaded spar A.D.. So we put jacks under the outboard engines to support the wing so that we could take off the inboard stress panels which give us access to the spar terminal bolts. Notice how the B-17 wing structure looks more like bridge structure than airplane. No wonder so many of them survived heavy enemy fire and brought their crews home!
We had taken the inboard fuel cells out previously before the hangar dance, but put the panels back on for the dance.
Next we began removing ducts, hydraulic lines, and the landing gear emergency extension torque tubes to gain access to the upper forward bolts, again much of this was done before the dance, but we still have a little more to do.
Here's Rick, removing the cowl flap hydraulic lines - again.
For those of you who are not familiar with B-17 wing spar construction. The wing spars are square aluminum tubes. Where the tubes attach to the fuselage there is this thing called a spar terminal. Which is a fitting inserted into the inboard end of the spar tube that allows the spar to be bolted to fittings on the fuselage. There are 8 close tolerance bolts that go through the spar tube from forward to aft that secure the terminal in the spar. Are you with me, it's kinda confusing? If you look in the first picture where the white paint has been removed and you can see some of the bolts. These bolts have to be removed, inspected, the holes inspected and new bolts installed. They are all close tolerance bolts, that don't like being taken out once installed!
So besides the AD, we are still pressing on with the inspection. Steve Swift, a.k.a. Pacific Prowler driver, started working on replacing the ignition harness on the #1 engine as it was due for it. He's not in the picture, I think he was on the phone with a girl or something
If you notice in the third picture there is supposed to be a battery tray in that bay. Scott took that out to rebuild it, as it was just a wee tad corroded. I'd be willing to bet that he has some in progress pictures that he will share. I know battery tray's are exciting and all.....
Here is a rarely seen view of the #2 engine induction system. The air filter is on the left, the vertical duct is supplying air into the turbo, the duct on the right is coming from the opening in the wing leading edge.
It may not seem like much, but we actually got a lot of work done this weekend. The whole crew is highly motivated and we've got an excellent and talented bunch of people. Next weekend is the Spinks Fly-In and many of us are going to that, so I don't know how much we'll get done on Sunday, but I'll post more as move along.
Thanks for reading the thread!
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(sorry for all the SW references) George.., if you read this.., don't sue me!
