Urbana B-17 "Champagne Lady" Update 25 June 2010

[Shay]

Well made a trip out to Urbana to check on the progress being made on the B-17 and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The spi has com a long way from being a pile of parts. The onsite folks were friendly as always and appeared to have a fire lit under them. I asked what was needed to help with getting Fortress back in the air and I was told the Financial aspect has been covered but what is really needed is “Man-Power” in the form of Volunteers. Skilled or Unskilled doesn’t matter. All motivated individuals will to take instruction are welcome.

I tried to see the A-26 and C-47 over at the new facility but no one was home. So another trip is in order.

Anyways I’ll let the pictures do the talking:



























































































































































Won’t be long ……



Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis

Last edited by Shay on Fri Jun 25, 2010 11:34 am, edited 2 times in total.

[gary1954]

Wow...Great photo update, looks like they are Ka-Rusin' right along.
I have a brain cramp right this minute, and can't recall where this airframe came from.
to quote a government Contract Doctor, can you please refresh me of the case?

[Misterg97]

Shay,

Thanks for the update .. I was there a while back and they treated us well ... really enjoyed the visit and glad to see they are coming along.

[TimAPNY]

Great update, Thanks

Tim

[tom d. friedman]

thanks for the tour!! 1st class pics!!! 1st class restoration, 1st class facility & a well organized place trying to make heads from tails with more metal & wire than an orthodontist!! they look like real pros.

[Andy in West Oz]

Phwoar, BIG job. Thanks for posting the pics.

[APG85]

WOW!!!

[Rauhbatz]

Greetings....

As a recent transplant back to Ohio, this would be a good oppty for me to not go crazy over the winter months. I used to do some work on the CAF Dixie Wing birds when living back in ATL...

As Im a pilot I consider myself unskilled labor but should be able to help out here and there. Is there a website/contact info somewhere?

[APG85]

Is there a website/contact info somewhere?

http://www.b17project.com/

[warbird1]

In the middle of that series of pictures, there is one of a wing that has corrugated metal on both sides. Is that for the B-17? I wasn't aware that the Fort used any corrugated metal on the wings. Anyone care to elaborate?

Nice pix!

I really wish someone would do that same kind of project for a B-24, BTW.

[tom d. friedman]

i wondered the same thing as warbird 1, but i can't figure where that crinkled corregated metal fits in with the construction of a 17. is it some form of a working jig??

[the330thbg]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[Ztex]

The corrugated material is inside the wing, under the skin.

You can see it here in one of Bill's pictures of Chuckie. This hole is where the inboard fuel bladder goes.

[B-25 C]

Excellent work and progress. Keep it up. Pic. too

[mustangdriver]

I was there about a year ago. Awesome people. Very friendly and welcoming group.