B-17 Flying Fortress/44-83735 ~ the Duxford resto thread

[bomberflight]

Oh ok ! I'll do more like that !

[bomberflight]

Last time we looked ~ operation paint stripper had got as far as the life raft hatches and the upper turret .....

When the plastic covering was removed ~ the guys found that the paint on this section wasn't going to put up a fight



It was rather like taking the skin off a rice pudding ~ all be it a green one



In fact it was soon a case of "paint ~ be gone" !





Then the work really begins ~ removing the last residual traces



How does it look now ?



Stepping back for a moment ~ we can clearly see where the Waist Gun position was changed during the original restoration



Rather rashly ~ I took the opportunity to climb up the "giraffe" mobile gantry to take the next pics. My word it sways about a bit.
Thankfully the camera has image stabilization and I just had to grit my teeth and use both hands on the camera ~ I was so much
happier with one hand gripping the hand rail ! The things we do for WIX !









I can see right across the hangar from up here .....



Right that's enough of being brave ~ can I come down now ?

Phew !

There's just the sharp end of the fuselage to go now ~ masking it up is about to begin



And this is the point where we ......



To be continued .....

[the330thbg]

Brilliant thread!!

[peter]

Best thread on WIX to date!!!

[rcaf_100]

I can see right across the hangar from up here .....

Neato! So is the FN-20 replacing the Cheyenne tail turret or will it be grafted to the nose like a PB4Y-1?

Yes, I do realize it's off the Wimpy...the geodesic framework gives it away...

This thread really needs a 'sticky', but since the updates are so frequent it's always at the top of the page! Thanks bomberflight!

[APG85]

The overhead pictures are FANTASTIC!!!! Be careful...don't fall off!

[bomberflight]

Thanks again for the comments guys

Now where were we ..... oh yes !



Here's something new for this thread ~ time lapse photography

Just follow the "tube" link to watch the nose section being prepped for paint removal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov_u7Y65-EQ

Once masking was complete ~ the nose section was sprayed and wrapped in plastic on Friday June 17th.



It was left to cook until 08:00 Sunday June 19th ~ by which time the paint was ready to .....



almost fall off by itself







And now there's a choice of viewing .......

Paint stripping on the "tube" using time lapse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy_4j7NWHt4

Actually if you watch the video you'll see someone going around taking lots of snaps ~ I suspect that was me

And here they are !











Many hands make light work







And now we get to the emotional part .....





Does this mean I'll have to rename this thread on WIX



The last piece of the name is about to go .....



In that last shot ~ did you notice the surface corrosion ? This lady was indeed in need of a makeover.

Job Done



Well almost !



Time for a coffee break I think



More soon

[Django]

Too late now, but I think I might have tried to scrape up some of the bombs or the name and flatten it out and dry, and then frame it. But I am funny like that...

[The Inspector]

This IS a wonderful thread and so full of teeny but important information it's almost unreal!!
I'm just hopeful that model manufacturers are paying very close attention to all the 'little things' going on and being presented here, recently we saw test shots of a 1/32nd scale B-17G that is going to cost more than my first car did and it's riddled with inacuracies (including backwards prop blades) that this thread can help either straighten out, or will put the spurs to aftermarket detail manufacturers to help get things right-
Thanx again!!!!

[the330thbg]

Agreed 100% Inspector!!!!

That new GIANT B-17 model is POOOOO!!!

This thread is solid, solid GOLD!!!!

[bomberflight]

I really can't take all the credit for this thread .....

Much of what you see is down to kind co-operation of the full time staff at the Imperial War Museum and the volunteers who are assisting with the B-17 restoration.

[The Inspector]

Then be sure to pass along the sincere thanks from all of us for their decision to allow you to share the little, hidden things on this airplane, one can never know too much about a subject.

[bomberflight]

Here we are again ! Shall we pop inside .....



This post is about people. Without people there would be a B-17 ...... but not much happening.

People who can strip down a Wright Cyclone .....





People who can clean components. Thats a B-24 patch from the Dugan restoration 10 years ago



People who can spot trouble and do something about it ......



People who can have a riveting conversation ......



People who can keep smiling ~ even when B-17 parts don't want to co-operate .....



People who will clean ......



and clean .....



and clean some more .....



Maybe we need a toothbrush sponsor ( we use quite a few ) ~ this grey paint sticks just like plaque !



More soon

[The Inspector]

Just a personal observation-I'd really like to see more safety glasses in use, you're only issued one set of peepers per lifetime.

[bomberflight]

I'd really like to see more safety glasses in use, you're only issued one set of peepers per lifetime

Good point well made. Glasses and hearing protection ( if needed ) are used every day.

There are some tasks where my camera stays in my pocket because I don't want to get anything on the lens that could ruin it.
Which didn't stop me today dropping it for the second time since I bought it in February