Warbird Information Exchange

This one would have to be a tie or close second

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b17regis ... 85738.html

The deal is, though, that the airplane is not for sale. So it doesn't really matter if there are lots of folks out there who would or could restore it. If and when the Lacey family and/or the Bomber Foundation chooses to get rid of the airplane, I would imagine there are many people or groups who will make an attempt to get the airplane.

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Scott Thompson
Aero Vintage Books
http://www.aerovintage.com
WIX Subscriber Since July 2017

Well, I guess private property IS private property

Still seems pretty selfish and short-sighted of them given the demand that's probably out there for an aircraft like this, by groups willing to take good care of her.

You don't think that they're holding onto the B-17 until its value reaches an even higher level?

It seems kind of silly.... Even though its value as a historical airplane is going up, I imagine its overall condition and level of disrepair would put the price lower and lower, every day that goes by.

But, in the end, the ball's in their court and they can hold out all they want until someone offers them an absolutely ridiculous amount that is far above it's value, just to save the thing.

That's quite reminiscent of a PBY I know.

Anyways, I am only putting that out there. I don't know the owners or what they're like, nor do I have any idea what their intent is with the airplane. I'm sure they love that airplane just as much as we all do. They probably just don't have the millions needed to get her back into shape.

Peace,

David

History has shown us that it usually takes the death of the stubborn old dillhole owner before anything happens. then, the family sells so fast that you can feel the breeze. I see this happen at the local airport all the time, an airplane sits rotting, once in a blue moon you may see the old decrepit owner drive by in his cadillac, he may even stop and tell you about how he's fixing to get his medical back and get the plane annualled but right now he's got to go because he can't stand up very long without his walker and the 10 foot walk over to your hanger from the cadillac wore him out....

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All I did was press this red button here...

Once again, we are saying negative things about the people or organization that continues to keep an aircraft that they had considerable foresight in preserving in the first place. That airplane exists because someone took considerable effort and spent a lot of money when practically everyone else would have sold it for less than the cost of the smelted metal. They deserve nothing but applause.

At some point this B-17 will come down from its posts and find better housing. We should show nothing but gratitude that this airplane is among the few survivors. If they want to hang onto it for a few years longer, none of us should begrudge them for wanting to do so. Some 99.5% of its compatiots had a far worse fate.

So please quit the bellyaching!

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Kevin McCartney

Art Lacey did pass away in 2000 and his family has pressed forward with the airplane to fulfill his dream, among other reasons.

And yes, I think we can all agree that if Art Lacey had not obtained the B-17 in 1947 there would be one less B-17 around today. It has been an oddity ever since, and the situation continues to deteriorate for the airplane, but it is still here.

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Scott Thompson
Aero Vintage Books
http://www.aerovintage.com
WIX Subscriber Since July 2017

Strange question... All these negative remarks, have any of you offered to HELP them restore the aircraft?

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Cheers!

Lance Jones

I would love to pull into a gas staion where they check your oil and wipe you windshield while filling up your tank.

And to have it happen under a B-17 would be icing on the cake!

I regularly visit the Lacey B-17 when I am in Portland. Here are a couple shots from last month. Same-same as we have seen before... I was very surprised to see that some of the original stencils were visible on the underside of the wing, a detail that I had not noticed before.





I hope that it comes out of the cold one day...

Michael

Is that a technical term you learn in flight school Ace?

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

Silly me, but I guess I don't understand the point of leaving it in a "dismembered" state like that mounted on poles. What's the point? Better to dismantle it and put it into storage. I'm surprised the city hasn't them an ultimatum: either put it together or remove it. It looks a bit ridiculous and rather sad now. I hate to say it, but it's become an eye sore...
The Lacey family did a great thing by saving this plane but maybe at this point it's time to consider selling it...

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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..."

Put it in storage? where? it takes dollars to do that, and you would need to hire a crane, again, dollars...and so on... As it sits now it doesn't cost them any storage fees and it is an area landmark. The family is great, we usually eat at the restaurant every year, and/or fly over the place when we visit with 909. They have great intentions but the financial reality and burden of restoring this airplane is too great. It is part of thier family and when the time is right they will do something to better its future. I hate to be the devils advocate on this one cause I am just as passionate about 17's as the next guy, but reality can be a cold dish. Its easy to hypothetically spend other people's money but I personally don't see anything happening any time soon.

jim

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www.spiritof44.com

Add the -17 at Barksdale

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Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

A lot of people on this site like to jump on their soapbox and start foaming at the mouth when they see a warbird in less than desirable condition. Yet very few are willing to get out their checkbooks and make a difference. My dad used to tell me that if I'm not part of the solution, then I have no right to criticize and I think that holds true in these instances. It takes big bucks even to put a quality paintjob on a warbird. To get it inside out of the elements, even more. I think we need to look at who we really are. We are a VERY small segment of society with a sick obsession for these aircraft. And the number of people who have the same obsession AND the money to make a difference is microscopic. We piss and moan if we see a Mustang that an owner has just spent two million on if the markings aren't perfectly accurate or the paint is too glossy. It's not your money or plane. If you want a perfect one, go out and buy one yourself or if you can't afford one, buy a model. A P2V was just hacked to bits and could anyone here have saved it? Probably not. Every time I go to Falcon Field in Mesa Az (every day), I would love to give Robert Kropp a check for a couple hundred thousand to get a couple of his Harpoons back in the air. But guess what, it ain't gonna happen. I admire and respect Robert though for his efforts though because he can't afford it either and he's doing his darndest to preserve them any way he can. I'm sure this is the intent of the Lacey family and if you REALLY want to make a difference, contact them and open up your checkbooks. Then if you want to criticize, go ahead. OK, I'm done

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The more I learn about aircraft, the more I realize I still have to learn.