Any updates on the Dyke Lake B-17 project?

[FlyingFortB17]

Does anyone know the status of this B-17 restoration? There was the Merango Metalworks website that showed the plane being torn-down and cleaned, but that's the last I heard on this project.

[hang the expense]

Lots has been done.Im making all the tooling to manufacture the new frames for the fuselage.It will be built as an F model because Brooks' father flew as a tailgunner in Miss Carrey of the 390BG.I recently found a close up of the nose art so its a go. The wings dont look bad but the fuselage didnt have any primer on the inside and had tons of cancer.Jack up the top turret and slid a new fuselage under it is the way i see it.Similiar to the urbana fuselage. Bill stanzyk from Desert Rat has been instrumental in the drawings of all this tooling and if he doesnt lose his mind going through all these drawings and cleaning them up we should be done in Oh say 8 months or so. Whatelse would you like to know?

[Chuck Giese]

I haven't posted any pictures of the Dyke Lake B-17 in a while since the fuselage is now piles of aluminum parts. In my spare time, I'm currently making my way through the mechanical systems - gear boxes, pulley blocks, etc. to see what we have and what needs to be (re)built.

Our current priority is finishing Don's P-40, and then we'll ramp up the effort on the B-17.

Also, the Liberty Belle is due in this weekend for a couple of weeks of maintenance.

[TimAPNY]

Lots has been done.Im making all the tooling to manufacture the new frames for the fuselage.It will be built as an F model because Brooks' father flew as a tailgunner in Miss Carrey of the 390BG.I recently found a close up of the nose art so its a go. The wings dont look bad but the fuselage didnt have any primer on the inside and had tons of cancer.Jack up the top turret and slid a new fuselage under it is the way i see it.Similiar to the urbana fuselage. Bill stanzyk from Desert Rat has been instrumental in the drawings of all this tooling and if he doesnt lose his mind going through all these drawings and cleaning them up we should be done in Oh say 8 months or so. Whatelse would you like to know?

I think I like the idea of another "F' being made up. Are theren plans to try and recover the tail sections still?

Thanks for the update.

Tim

[Chuck Giese]

I think I like the idea of another "F' being made up. Are theren plans to try and recover the tail sections still?

Thanks for the update.

Tim

Nope, no plans or even desire to go back for the tail section. Based on the condition of the rest of the fuselage, it's not worth the trip. Don's looking at other options.

[FlyingFortB17]

Are you all going to scratch-build the nose and tail sections? Gary Larkins has a restored B-17F tail section that would be perfect for you all.

Via Airpirates.com

[Chuck Giese]

Are you all going to scratch-build the nose and tail sections? Gary Larkins has a restored B-17F tail section that would be perfect for you all.

I believe that it's already been shipped to the Ultimate Sacrifice site in Cincinatti. If it's the one that I saw detailed pictures of, it's not an airworthy example.

[Wolverine]

Are you all going to scratch-build the nose and tail sections? Gary Larkins has a restored B-17F tail section that would be perfect for you all.

I believe that it's already been shipped to the Ultimate Sacrifice site in Cincinatti. If it's the one that I saw detailed pictures of, it's not an airworthy example.

Yes, that's where it was going. I believe it was shipped, as a picture of the US facility had the tail and forward section both in it. I don't think it has been attached yet.

[FlyingFortB17]

What are they going to use the tail section for if they already have a complete B-17 in My Gal Sal?

[tulsaboy]

Also, why is it not airworthy? Corrosion issues, or was the restoration not to airworthy standards?

[Chuck Giese]

What are they going to use the tail section for if they already have a complete B-17 in My Gal Sal?

Don't know, you would have to ask them.

Chuck