|
Neat Story:
Forgotten Warbird Found Outside Bozeman, Montana
By Chet Wilard, Associated Press Writer
3 hours 25 minutes ago
Bozeman- It seems odd to find it now, but an early WWII B-17 "Flying Fortress" has apparently been found in a long abandoned hangar of an airfield closed since WWII.
The former Whitworth Field, an Army Air Force installation, was only open for a few years early in the war, closing in 1943, when its duties were transferred to nearby Great Falls Army Air Field. After its closure, the land was transferred back to the landowners who had leased it to the government in 1940, for the creation of the airfield. The permanent buildings and runways were removed, save for two large maintenance hangars, one of which has been used for farm equipment storage since the war, and the other left "in reserve". The hangars were pretty well landlocked in the middle of a 200,00 acre farm following the removal of the road network within the base.
Tom Ellis, the owner of the land commented "Dad never bothered with that other hangar. It was just there, and he figured that one day he'd probably use it for some more tractor storage, or to start some business." The first hangar was used to store the various pieces of farm equipment used by the Ellis family.
"When Dad passed away, I just thought I'd see what I could make of the building. It took a few years- Dad passed on in 2002- but last week I went and cut the locks off the door. We never could find the key. That may be part of why Dad never bothered with it- We really did not have a need for the building. It was just there, in the middle of our farm."
And a surprise was in store for Tom Ellis- "When I cut those old locks, I had to kick the door a bit to get it open. You can imagine my surprise when I found there was actually an airplane in there! Dad would certainly have been amused- His brother was a tail gunner during the war. He passed away back in the 80's"
Whitworth Field was never a large installation- The few records available indicate it was mainly used as a way station for aircraft en route from the East Coast to the West Coast, and never had a complement of more than around two hundred men. It is speculated the aircraft, identified from photos as a B-17C, had been en route from one coast to the other, and developed engine trouble near Whitworth Field, probably in early 1942. Forms found in the aircraft indicate its last flight was in April, 1942, and that it was being left at Whitworth Field for repairs, the crew flying out with a cargo aircraft to their initial destination. As Whitworth Field was then in the process of closing down, it may have been intended to be recovered later, but simply forgotten with personnel transfers, and wartime confusion.
The Museum of the US Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Ohio, has expressed an interest in the aircraft, as have several aircraft restoration groups. Tom Ellis is not sure what he wants to do with it- "Well, I think it is mine- It's been sitting here, what- 66 years? I think I might just lock it right back up, and let it set there. But then again, might be fun to see if it will fly- but I don't think I'd try that without some fresh gas. And that stuff is expensive!"
Neat Story Huh?
Robbie
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
