Warbird Information Exchange

We are trying to track down a point of contact for this B-17. We want to attempt to find out just what the situation is with the aircraft, and if there is any interest in doing some work on the aircraft. I have not been able to find an e-mail contact for anyone out at that AMVETs, but did find a mailing address. We are going to see if they want to work with us while the Grissom B-17 is under restoration. It appears that the NMUSAF may not own the Tulare B-17. It looks like it was gifted to the AMVETS in 1958. Now I am not sure what the specifics are if they decide they no longer want it, but as long as it is in Tulare, it may not be a NMUSAF aircraft. I am trying to find out more. maybe we can get this aircraft some care, or moved somewhere it can find some care.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Chris, It definately needs to be moved somewhere else. Its slowly going downhill just like many of the other B-17's that sit outside but this B-17 has suffered the indignity of being hit by 2 out of control trucks over the years. Not a good situation.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Well, I fired off an e-mail to the AMVETS. We shall see. I explained that we are working on a B-17, and thought maybe we can work together to get these two aircraft in a better condition. We will see what reply I get.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Humm, I wonder what the cost of trucking a B-17 is like. . . Wendover Museum has all the hangar space you could ever want! PLUS - this plane was part of the 509th Composite Group during the post war testing! And we'd be happy to give a B-17 a covered, protected home.

BTW - I don't have photos yet, but the B-29 hangar here is being reskinned, doors repaired and the tail door put back in working order - should be ready for visitors by 2011 air show!!

Tom P.

Great news man. Hey if there is no interest in working on this aircraft, it would be great to see it moved over to you guys.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

If AMVETS own it, I suspect it will end up on ebay.

There, it will either be bought for restoration...or by another guy who will want it for another roadside attraction.
The latter could pose problems..witness the fate of the Shackeltons on Cypress.
Long story short: big plans, nothing happened, and they're going downhill.
And shipping costs to anywhere are too high for well-meaning but budget-limited enthuiasts.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

You never know, there are still a few folks out there that are interested in helping out with 'special' projects.

The transportation piece I have a few contacts that might make it possible. It would be the disassemble and reassemble part that I think would be a challange (I am not particularly mechanically inclined so I don't know). I assume that if it was flown in that it could still be a flyer with a boat load of cash, but really it would be cool to just have a rolling static.

Wendover has a long history with the B-17. The 100th, 306th, 379th, 384th, 388th and 457th Heavy Bomb groups all trained here. In the case of the 306th you might say that the first day light bombing of Nazi Germany got started here

Tom P.

I heard from some one that worked on it, and they said it is just a shell, and in bad shape. But it still needs to be saved.

_________________
Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

There are two posts in Tulare.

Post 56
240 East King Ave
Tulare, Ca 93274
(559) 686-2747

Post 65
Tulare Veterans Memorial Building
1771 East Tulare Avenue
Tulare, CA 93274
(209) 686-4903


Hope this info helps.

Walt

_________________
If God had intended airplane engines to have horizontally-opposed cylinders, Pratt & Whitney would have built them that way.

I was there in September. This B-17 needs a new new home.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

Guys,

I dont post on here often (unless I have something relevent to add!) but read wix everyday...

I absolutly agree with Chris, she needs a new home under a roof. I visited the aircraft in April 08 and she was a sorry sight, bird poo and all!

I know you guys do it a bit different over the pond (you have the weather for one!) but you'd never see a Lancaster still outside in the UK!!

I think this has been discussed before as I remember commenting - Try a search Chris, the thread may shed some more light?

Now if I could figure out how to post pics straight from my pc I'd love to share them!

_________________
"A B-24 was the box a B-17 came in!" - One crew teasing another circa 1944!

I am happy to see like minded enthusiasts coming together for the common good of an airframe. Chris and I have always felt that warbird community is one that can, and will band together to help one of our own. So far everyone that has replied to one of these threads has not let us down-Thanks for the support WIX'ers!
Rob