Warbird Information Exchange

Ok - besides "Sentimental Journey" (unavailable) and "Fuddy Duddy" (not really flying as I understand) are there any other B-17s west of Texas that are up and available on the air show circuit?

Thanks in advance!

Tom P.

NOPE!

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

I know - what the heck is up with that?! I am glad for all our East coast WIXers but seriously, we need one or two more out West!!

Tom P.

Agreed, but B-17's are a finite resource kind of like the obtainable number of Duesenbergs available for sale, FHC does NOT give or sell rides and P. Allen's B-17E is years away from being put back together. Don't think HFF/John Sessions would buy one. After those worthys, the list of folk with enough bread and space and interest to operate one gets thinner than the mayo @ a Weight Watchers convention.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Lots of perfectly good flyable B-17s parked up:

MoF's 'Boeing Bee'
Evergreen
Fuddy Duddy (flies very occasionally)
Pond family's 'Miss Angela' at Palm Springs (last flown 2006?)

Not exactly a rare sight out here though, as several come through on extended tours each year.

The Collings Foundation always seems to make a yearly swing along the west coast and every other year or so Aluminum Overcast makes appearances out that way.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

As long as the MoF has title to Boeing Bee, it will never fly again, that subject has been beaten flat in past postings. I believe Evergreens is also now ground bound, I understand they had a fairly minor 'hanger rash' type incident a while ago. No ideas or info on the Pond airplane-

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Did I miss something? Why is it unavailable?

Sentimental Journey is already booked for when I need a "heavy" thus I put "unavailable". I already thought about Collings, but they float through Utah in about June/July and I need a bomber near the end of September.

Tom P.

If you are willing to pay the freight bill, Yankee Lady would be a great participant. In my opinion, she is the nicest B-17 in the sky. I'm sure they might be interested in a road trip to the West so she could get out and strech her legs. Maybe she has been suffering from cramped cavs by doing laps around Detroit.

I have heard she is a beautiful plane but 1374nm from Wayne to Wendover @ lets say 185mph you get a 7 hour flight. Which of course means about 1400 gallons of 100LL @ 5.08 (Wendover's "warbird" price) means about $7K is gas. Plus appearance fee, oil, crew rooms, and transportation. All of which we would have to pay to anyone coming but you begin to see why an airplane that is a little closer is better for the event.

Tom P.

I thought you'd be interested to know that it seems that "Fuddy Duddy" will be (really) flying next week (Feb 11, 2012)! A buddy of mine just sent me this link ...

http://lyonairmuseum.org/2012/lyon-air-museum-b-17-flying-fortress-fuddy-duddy-in-history-takes-flight-event-feb-11/

I'm sure if you contacted Lyon with info on your event that would probably be more than happy to help you out? I'm sure it would come down to $$$ though.

Still I get a sinking feeling when I remember FD in the skies over Geneseo and the NE.

Thats where she really belongs to me. Not to steal another 17 from the West Coast but she belongs in Geneseo. I believe one day somehow she'll return there to stay.

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Christopher Soltis
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