Warbird Information Exchange

the planes of fame's website just says 'restoration'. do any of you guys have any current info? pics, status? time frame? i know it's a MASSIVE project, but i know they are doing it right, and it will be GREAT when she does fly.

Pictures of the restoration (and much more) can be found at:
http://s452.photobucket.com/albums/qq24 ... rweb/B-17/

Cool stuff. Any pics of what the new paint scheme is going to be?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Thanks for the link, looks like it's going pretty well, BUT, are they going to do the whole restoration OUTSIDE. That looks like it could get pretty warm on those folks. I wish them ALL the best.

I undertood that Jack Croul was donating the paint job so maybe 96th BG since he was a nav in the 96th

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Don't touch my junk!!

So does it sound like O.D. over gray

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

He crewed in both OD and NMF. His B-17G was the "Skyraider".

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Don't touch my junk!!

has this restoration been downgraded to static ? i would have thought that she would have had to have been stripped down and inspected a whole lot more to be returned to the air. i saw this aircraft a couple of years ago and was able to spend the better part of a day crawling around in and out of her. she appeared to be quite complete but very neglected. it certainly looks much better now although it appears from the photos that they are doing more of a clean-up than a fully airworthy restoration, but what do i know?!

We are still planning on an airworthy restoration.

good to hear ! wilbur looks very healthy and happy in the pics ! have you folks come accross any major issues with the aircraft (wing spar ect) that are going to have to be dealt with?

It's a B-17...Everything is a Major Issue!! Guess that is the big question, how much corrosion, where and how bad....and that's just the airframe. All the mechanicals and electrics to go over with a fine tooth comb. Time and $'s! Looks like a good crew of workers slogging away though. Keep up the good work.

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Aviation Illustration Website
http://shepartstudio.com/illustration/

This is a long term project. They are doing a little at a time. The only thing that will speed up this project is FUNDING! From what I have seen they are addressing corrosion and enhancing the areas seen on the tours first. There is no point to pulling off the wings or engines at this time since they don't have the money to do anything with that stuff.

a funding thought. [ideas from other orgs i've belonged to] if there is someone, or some corp, or whatever, wanting to give a good sum [probably should be $100,000.00 or more] get them to instead of giving it directly at one time to putting it in an escrow account. then do a BIG fund raising campaign [on POF's website, here on WIX and any other place they can think of] stating "that there is a matching fund account in place, and that any donation given will be matched" that might loosen a few walets, knowing that their donation will get doubled. on a personal note. i need to get back on their website and give a little more.

We should do a fund like for the guns on Gary's LB-30...

I'm in for $50.00 who's next....

Lynn

Yeah, I would do 50

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director