B-17 ~ The Pink Lady has moved home ......

[bomberflight]

I just stumbled over this and thought I ought to share it ~

http://www.thepinklady.fr/post/2006/11/ ... e-for-2007

It should be noted that this is not the official web site for the Association,
but it confirms what I suspected will happen ~ given that the ATV has only abut a dozen members, dosn't recruit and cannot sell rides.

Given this airplane has a genuine combat history in WW2, it seems amazing that it could end up being grounded by EU insurance legislation.

If you know of anyone with very deep pockets who wants to keep a B-17 flying ~ PM me ~ I have contact details for one of the pilots.

[daveymac82c]

Hey,

I wish I could help, but my pockets are empty. I hope someone steps up to help.

Cheers,

David

[groundpounder]

would they even sell the plane to begin with?

[Iclo]

In regards of the last information I found on the web (on french forum) I'm afraid that she can be grounded this comming year.
The association "Forteresse Toujours Volante" in charge of Pink Lady is a part of the french association "L'amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis" who operate a collection of warbird and classic airplane, from "La ferté-Alais" a small airfield in the south of Paris.
This airfield has only grass runway, and the b-17 wasn't based there but in the Paris-Orly airport. (Her hangar will be destoyed soon and she is relocated in an other airport in center of France, only for this winter)
The plan if she will be grounded, look like to transfer her to the "Ferté-Alais" probably by road, to put her in static display in a new hanger. (In this case, I'm afraid that will be really the end of his flight operation)
When I see this stupid problem of European insurances, I really hate our european politicians and their stupid decisions.

[FWV]

Good night to all,

I am member of the association "Forteresse Toujours Volante, I often speak to one of the pilots of the plane by Internet . We have in effect of big problem to finance the insurance of the plane because that ci in augmented by several hundreds of pourcents. We nowadays do not know the future of the plane, we know only that the plane will remain ownership of our association whatever happens. Pink Lady will not much steal be with a little of chance in 2007 then will possibly be able to be displayed in Ferté Allais by waiting in the daytime better.She will be able to settle it but she will not be able re-take off has less to do up the lane. I do not hide you whom this resolution saddens me terrifically in a personal capacity, because if it went to Ferté Allais it would be to my unassuming opinion a final measure, it is damage for a plane which is on active service since 1945 with more than 10000 hours of theft in its assets to alleviate me I support of my the best the numerous plans of ongoing restorations in your country. I am very sad because this plane yours a particular place in my heart and I am powerless against this blow of fate. today, the Pink Lady often returned respects on the sites of crash of B-17 in France sometimes in the presence of veterans. In some weeks, I shall go to see the plane in its shed with a little of chance, because it is not definitely far from me.

good morning from France

Cédric "FWV"

webmaster of http://b-17-flying-fortress.fr/

[Mudge]

Cedric bienvenu,
Je suis sûr que nous tous sommes dérangés par fondre de Madame Rose. Je crains que fondre de plusieurs des bombardiers aux USA ne soit pas éteint lointain. J'espère qu'il y aura quelqu'un qui peut venir à la délivrance de ce bel avion.

Mudge le plein d'espoir

[bomberflight]

Cedric, Thank you for taking the time to post your message.

I think everyone who visit's this forum will feel saddened by a fully airworthy B-17 being ground by insurance costs

With no opportunity to sell rides to raise revenue ( unlike in the USA ) ~ things do seem bad.

However, in the UK the Sally-B organisation were faced with a similar problem last year. They started a big media campaigin and got good news paper coverage in the national press. By raising the profile of Sally-B ~ sponsors like Sir Richard Branson came forward to keep the aircraft flying.

Could a similar campaigin be launched in France ?

[Iclo]

Hello Cedric,

Very sad to hear this confirmation of the rumours I herd

It's perhaps a mistake from me, but why in Europe, there isn't a confederation of the differents warbird's operator?.
I think a collaboration between the diffent association can be more powerfull: exchange of informations, spare place, and other.

To deal with European politician, I think that can be more sucessfull, if the owner of the different airplane work together to make real pressure on this "little guys".

I didn't undestand why selling rides on "Pink Lady" is not allowed. This airplane is better maintened than a lots of airlines aircraft.

It was a sad week-end, when "Pink Lady cames to Beauvechain Air Base in last september, (only 15 miles from my home) and I had not other solution to stay at home to study an examination for the monday

Regards,

[ww2John]

I had the great good fortune to visit Pink Lady at Orly in May 1999 and was treated very well by all; pilots & crew - fantastic people and very dedicated to their B17, WWII veterans and the warbird movement. The association is very generous in supporting veterans and memorials. The a/c is superbly maintained and skillfully piloted.

I was able to help them in a very small way with a parts issue and I sincerely hope that others will come to their aid right now.

[FWV]

Pink Lady is unquestionably one of the most dependable B-17 in the world. I do not know the taking of insurance (I am not member of the crew) but it would seem that it turns around the 20.000 euro a year (be able to be 15.000 dollars US for 50 hours of flight a year!!!) it is therefore necessary to be millionaire and we do not have Richard Branson to use. Since 1987 the association is persuaded that it will be last year which it will steal. Increase is owed to an European regulation which imposes to assure the plane of collection the same price as Boeing 737 and in France laws Europeans dominate Frenchwomen (!) on laws But never know they, already by the past when it has needed to disassemble wings to survey them at the request of American civil aviation we thought that everything was ended... Michel Bézy (pilot of the plane) said to me that he did not believe in miracles, however it takes there place to believe in it still, the Pink Lady with good survived plusiseurs missions of war and the dozens years of service all over the world with IGN Frenchman...

[Chris Brame]

Here's an idea which might be useful only if all else fails: The Planes of Fame Museum is facing a massive restoration to flyable condition on their B-17 Piccadilly Lily. Maybe a deal could be arranged in which the Lily goes to France for static display and Pink Lady comes to the USA to fly again? Just a thought.

[FWV]

I think it's could be impossible, Pink Lady have a too big History in France to return USA... she fly from 1954 to 2007... Forteresse Toujours Volante and M. Jean Salis (the président) never sold the Pink Lady...

[groundpounder]

we did help you guys out a bit way back when!! maybe its time to return the favor!

[Fouga23]

we did help you guys out a bit way back when!! maybe its time to return the favor!

[FWV]

In any case I have no controle of the plane, besides, question even does not settle, the sale of the plane will never be in agenda, you have far too much of B-17 in State of theft in USAS, you, you have dozens of it in theft which did not know war, and us an only one who in knew war