Warbird Information Exchange

http://www.covnews.com/archives/56734/

That whole shuffle of aircraft at Warner Robins is just what I thought. They were making room. A B-17 is coming in from the cold.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Excellent news, and so many worthy candidates to be moved I can't wait to see which one has been chosen.

Great!! Probably the closet one is at Eglin in Florida therefore cutting down on transportation costs.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

I think one from a much colder climate.

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Hang The Expense

The one at Eglin (Armament Museum) is in pretty rough shape. It sits outside in a harsh, hurricane prone, climate, has corrosion issues and is a gutted shell. Every once in awhile, they coat it with a new layer of paint. Don't get me wrong, they do the best they can with the resources they have. Unfortunately, I don't believe the museum has any future plans of constructing a larger building to house its collection...and they do have a nice collection of planes.

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Well, that narrows it down to two outdoor B-17s- 44-83690 at Grissom (Indiana) and 42-3374 at Offutt (Nebraska).

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Thank you Everyone, for your Great info & insightful input to this subject , Great job !

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WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.

Perhaps those at Dyess and Lackland could be on the the list as well. I agree that those outside in California/Arizona are more likely to stay put due to more favorable climate.

Not sure what the reasoning is, get the "worst" ones inside as quick as possible, or pick the "best" one? How are other factors weighed, like weather/climate, "health" of current museum/base, visitation figures (some are gate guards), B-17 provenace/relevancy at current or future site, future plans/funding, move distance, condition....

I think I would lean towards getting the best, most structurally sound one for an official USAF museum that seems to have a solid indoor display plan in mind. As a recieving museum I think I would rather start with something better than a gutted hulk. Downside it puts the worst more at risk.

I don't know. I would think you would want to pick a museum that has the funding and resources to take a basket case and turn it into a fine, complete museum example for display that will last indefinitely.

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

I think that what the NMUSAF looks at is over all condition along with what the plans and capabilities of the museum are. They want to see a specific plan for maintaining the aircraft. There is one up north that has no plan, and is in rough shape.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I'm going to guess that it is either "Homesick Angel" B-17F 42-3374 from Offutt or possibly "Liberty Belle" from Grissom. Nice to hear one more will be moving indoors.

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

The Grissom bird is in the worst shape and with no restoration plan.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Gotcha Could that be why her tail turret has been sitting in a crate in Dayton since it was finished?

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

Locals will be upset surely but sounds like it's a WIN for the airframe.

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Sure, Charles Lindbergh flew the plane... but Tom Rutledge built the engine!

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If it is the Grissom bird, any idea's on how soon the move willbe? I need to get there before it's gone.

Joe