B17 question and (potentially) Boring Texas Raiders update

[SPANNERmkV]

The Boeing folks, in their infinite wisdom, decided the engine pylon bulkheads needed re-inforcing.
So they riveted aluminum plates to the pretty stainless steel panels.
Then they re-fit all the accessory brackets back on, with their attendant ground straps, in order to insure stray current would help induce corrossion, IF the dissimiliar metals should fail to do the trick.

So my question... Does anybody know of why it wouldn't make more sense to make the replacement plates out of stainless steel?

Texas Raider Specific News (for gearheads and other Warbird Dirtball Buddies ONLY! )

As of last night, a whole truckload of excess B17 parts were headed to three projects, thanks to Tom Reilly AND WIX!!!!!!!!!!
We toast you "Champagne Lady", we salute you Don Brooks and hats off to Mr. Moore.

The next batch of parts for sale will be listed soon.

The proceeds from all this have allowed us to farm out some of the projects our volunteers can't handle.
While once I was a skeptic as to the optimistic timelines for Texas Raiders' return to the skyways, even I have to admit...
PEOPLE ARE GETTING IT DONE!

[Cvairwerks]

Cheaper, faster, and easier production along with reduced installation costs. A 2024Tx bracket requires considerably less stamping force than any stainless would. That translates into reduced tooling and die costs. When you switch to SS-SS joint, you now have to upgrade your fasteners too, alomng with the installation tools. SS rivets are S.O.B.'s to shoot. I used to shoot some Monel #5 dia. rivets and it took a 9X gun and a 20+ pound bucking bar to keep from work hardening or cracking them before you could get them properly driven.

[Fortress Fan]

Where will the list of parts for sale be listed?

[bdk]

So my question... Does anybody know of why it wouldn't make more sense to make the replacement plates out of stainless steel?

Yes, because you don't have any idea why that design decision was made back then. If it were me, I would use the same materials just use some fuel tank sealant (PR-77 or the like) on the faying surface to keep moisture out. Then it will seal the moisture out (the electrolyte) and last another 74 years vs. another 64 years as originally designed.

[ww2John]

Is it possible that the use of dissimilar metals was not considered a problem given the short expected life of a combat a/c in WW2?



Who knew then that people would be trying to keep 'em flying 70 years later?

[SPANNERmkV]

Parts for Sale will be listed in WIX Parts and I will announce they are there by posting here in HANGAR just for repetitive redundancy and covering all bases, avenues etc.,etc.... I'll stop now.

Thanks for the technical answers for those that gave them!
We are headed for Stainless replacements.

I hate to think of all the crimes against cars I committed in the name of "getting them running" VS preserving warbirds for future generations

[bomberflight]

Hi SPANNERmkV

Is there such a thing as a boring update about any B-17 ? I can't imagine it !

Keep them coming please !!!

And one more thing ..... What do I need to have done to qualify as a

Warbird Dirtball

[retroaviation]

And one more thing ..... What do I need to have done to qualify as a

Warbird Dirtball

That question is coming from the guy who single handedly started the B-24 thread here on WIX?!? Now, I don't want to speak for Spanner, but I'm not personally familiar with the term "Warbird Dirtball." However, I think "Warbird Junkie," or similar is something you might qualify for.

Gary

[SPANNERmkV]

If you have to ask, I hardly think you qualify!

My Sister-In-Law refers to my brother's shooting buddies as his "Dirtball Buddies"
She is in the Daughters of the American Revolution, so I asked her about running with her "Mothball Buddies"!

[bomberflight]

If I can win the lottery Saturday night I could start collecting parts for my very own B-17 ~ one piece at a time .......

Oh ~ and I've updated my signature to reflect my new found status