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Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:13 pm

In an 'all hands present' meeting this morning in Wichita, Boeing announced it will close the facility in Wichita by the end of 2013 and disperse work done there to other sites. B-52/KC-135 and mod work will move to San Antonio, Engineering will go to Oklahoma City, and KC-46A work will now all be done in Washington State including completion and delivery.
I guess they will by out ATS (formerly BADWRENCH) on the South end of KPAE for tanker completion. Boeing already leases the biggest of ATS' hangers to do 787 Change Incorporation and given the production rate for the tanker, that facility should be more than ample since the hanger was designed to accommodate up to 4 747's inside, plus a huge paint bay. If that scenario happens I have no idea what will happen to the TRAMCONIANS doing MRO work there now.

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:25 pm

Is "Doc" currently housed on Boeing property or Air Force property and will this decision impact the restoration and engineering support Boeing has provided up to now?

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:27 pm

DoraNineFan wrote:Is "Doc" currently housed on Boeing property or Air Force property and will this decision impact the restoration and engineering support Boeing has provided up to now?


Doc is wrapped up and looks to be that way for a loooong time!

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:58 pm

the330thbg wrote:
DoraNineFan wrote:Is "Doc" currently housed on Boeing property or Air Force property and will this decision impact the restoration and engineering support Boeing has provided up to now?


Doc is wrapped up and looks to be that way for a loooong time!


Hmmm...

Paul Allen, please pick up the white courtesy phone.

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:01 pm

DoraNineFan wrote:
the330thbg wrote:
DoraNineFan wrote:Is "Doc" currently housed on Boeing property or Air Force property and will this decision impact the restoration and engineering support Boeing has provided up to now?


Doc is wrapped up and looks to be that way for a loooong time!


Hmmm...

Paul Allen, please pick up the white courtesy phone.


Would look mighty nice in his collection!!!! :supz:

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:00 pm

the330thbg wrote:
the330thbg wrote:
DoraNineFan wrote:Doc is wrapped up and looks to be that way for a loooong time!


Hmmm...

Paul Allen, please pick up the white courtesy phone.


Would look mighty nice in his collection!!!! :supz:



Why sell it? Silly idea.
It's waiting for a building, same as the Boeing Bee.
Nothing against Mr. Allen, but if the MoF were to sell it, they'd never get another one.
The MoF needs an example to go along with its Boeing-centric collection.

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:22 pm

Its waiting for more than a building at this point. The owner wants to make it a flier one day so he needs a large infusion of $$$.

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:30 am

Weren't B737 fuselages being built at Wichita? What'll the good ole boys have to shoot at on the trains going to Renton? :(

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:13 am

All the BCA items like 737 fuselages are still done in ITC by SPIRIT Corp. and have been for several years as Boeing divested itself of 99% of all fabrication work. BMAC/BCA occupy a pretty small part of the facility and SPIRIT is gearing up to produce fuselages for the AIRBUS A-350XWB there.

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:02 am

JohnB wrote:Why sell it? Silly idea.
It's waiting for a building, same as the Boeing Bee.
Nothing against Mr. Allen, but if the MoF were to sell it, they'd never get another one.
The MoF needs an example to go along with its Boeing-centric collection.

I think you're confusing 'Doc' at Wichita with the MoF example at Seattle.

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:29 am

and confusing Paul Allens (FHC) collection with the MoF's. If Vulcan got it, there is a pretty good chance it would eventually fly again.
What's the fate of the airframes Boeing Wichita has/had stored for what was to be a museum @ Intercontinental? You could just make them out on the horizon from the Boeing ramp when I was last there in the early 2000's

Re: Boeing Wichita to close by the end of 2013

Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:46 pm

You can take the 737 fuselage away from Wichita. The Boeing turn, going and pulling the loaded cars and spotting the emptys is one of the worst jobs we have here.
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