The great B-17 Adventure; 4-B-17s in 3-days!
Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:27 am
I just got back from a roadtrip from Orange County up to my home base here in Oregon and we managed to see four different B-17s in three days!
The first B-17 was spotted outside of my 737's window at Orange County Airport (John Wayne). Across the runway sat 44-83563, aka Fuddy Duddy, glowing in the beautiful SoCal sunset. I have seen this aircraft many times, so other than giving her a quick scan through the aircraft window, we moved on to our next target.
44-85738, Preston's Pride in Tulare, CA.
I have read about this aircraft many times over the years and have never been able to visit it. This time we were able to work it out, and modified our trip to see as many B-17s as possible.
The best word to describe Preston's Pride is "tired"...
The heavy steel fence is new, and I have not seen it in photos before. While it will protect the B-17 from trucks failing to make the exit off of HWY 99, it does make it difficult to photograph the B-17.
A perfect example:
Poking my lense through the fence gave me these views:
You can really see the damage to the engine cowling in this photo:
The fabric areas of the vertical stabilizer have been covered in aluminum:
Apparently this was a good shelf for this:
Overall, Preston's Pride looks kinda sad sitting on the side of the road. However, while the fence makes overall photography difficult, I will say that at least it should protect the aircraft a little more. I will also say that Tulare's dry and dusty climate has been keeping this plane alive, I saw more sun damage than anything else....
Over the next few nights, I will upload my photos of the B-17 at Castle AFB, as well as Lacy Lady in Portland...
Michael
The first B-17 was spotted outside of my 737's window at Orange County Airport (John Wayne). Across the runway sat 44-83563, aka Fuddy Duddy, glowing in the beautiful SoCal sunset. I have seen this aircraft many times, so other than giving her a quick scan through the aircraft window, we moved on to our next target.
44-85738, Preston's Pride in Tulare, CA.
I have read about this aircraft many times over the years and have never been able to visit it. This time we were able to work it out, and modified our trip to see as many B-17s as possible.
The best word to describe Preston's Pride is "tired"...
The heavy steel fence is new, and I have not seen it in photos before. While it will protect the B-17 from trucks failing to make the exit off of HWY 99, it does make it difficult to photograph the B-17.
A perfect example:
Poking my lense through the fence gave me these views:
You can really see the damage to the engine cowling in this photo:
The fabric areas of the vertical stabilizer have been covered in aluminum:
Apparently this was a good shelf for this:
Overall, Preston's Pride looks kinda sad sitting on the side of the road. However, while the fence makes overall photography difficult, I will say that at least it should protect the aircraft a little more. I will also say that Tulare's dry and dusty climate has been keeping this plane alive, I saw more sun damage than anything else....
Over the next few nights, I will upload my photos of the B-17 at Castle AFB, as well as Lacy Lady in Portland...
Michael
Last edited by spriso on Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The great B-17 Adventure; 4-B-17s in 3-days!
Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:43 am
Sitting in Chino with all the props removed as of last Saturday. Probably for the 10 year prop blade shank corosion AD inspection.spriso wrote:I just got back from a roadtrip from Orange County up to my home base here in Oregon and we managed to see four different B-17s in three days!
The first B-17 was spotted outside of my 737's window at Orange County Airport (John Wayne). Across the runway sat 44-83563, aka Fuddy Duddy, glowing in the beautiful SoCal sunset.
Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:53 am
Great pictures!
Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:54 am
Notice the entrance door on the right side at the tail hanging wide open!
Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:48 am
I wish they could build a shelter to house it.
Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:45 am
Yeah, you guys are right. She is in sad shape. The fence makes it look better now though.
Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:06 am
Thanks for sharing the pics Michael. I agree...she's in really sad shape and it's painfull to see a B-17 in such condition. It's only 8:00am and already I'm depressed! 
John
John
Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:39 pm
How about this idea, ship Preston's Pride to the Mighty 8th AF Museum in Pooler,Ga where it could be cared for!
Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:02 pm
You were in Chino, should have stopped off to see Picadilly Lily. Could have made it FOUR Fortresses. 
http://www.planesoffame.org/restoration ... ngfortress
http://www.planesoffame.org/restoration ... ngfortress
Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:31 pm
Nice pictures...although its tough to see her in that condition! 
Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:15 am
Next stop was Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California. This was yet another museum that I have never had the chance to visit, and I really wanted to see the B-17 in their collection (as well as the AMAZING B-36-- but that is another post for another day...)
Like many B-17 survivors, 43-38635 was a former air tanker after WWII. It was donated to the museum in 1979.
Overall, Virgin's Delight appears to be well cared for, and looks like it gets regular attention. It is obvious that the museum is proud of their B-17 as it is one of the first aircraft you see when you come out of the museum entrance.
After seeing a rather tired Preston's Pride, it was refreshing to see that Virgin's Delight is in loving care (as much as possible being an outdoor display!)
I HIGHLY recommend a visit to the Castle Air Museum, they have a VERY impressive collection of aircraft!
Next stop, Milwaukie, OR to see the Lacey Lady...
Michael
Like many B-17 survivors, 43-38635 was a former air tanker after WWII. It was donated to the museum in 1979.
Overall, Virgin's Delight appears to be well cared for, and looks like it gets regular attention. It is obvious that the museum is proud of their B-17 as it is one of the first aircraft you see when you come out of the museum entrance.
After seeing a rather tired Preston's Pride, it was refreshing to see that Virgin's Delight is in loving care (as much as possible being an outdoor display!)
I HIGHLY recommend a visit to the Castle Air Museum, they have a VERY impressive collection of aircraft!
Next stop, Milwaukie, OR to see the Lacey Lady...
Michael
Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:22 am
I know it's easier for me to say then it is to do, but it sure is a shame that any of the 17s are still outside. Such a part of our aviation heritage, it sure seems like if possible they should be hangered and taken care of better.
Preston's Pride, just breaks my heart to see all banged up like that.
Oh to win the lottery
Preston's Pride, just breaks my heart to see all banged up like that.
Oh to win the lottery
Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:24 am
Silver prop blades? Wow...never seen that on a B-17.
Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:10 am
Silver blades...
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Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:26 am
Clearly, I'm a midwestern and eastern B-17 guy...
