The B-17 at Tulare, Calif

hang the expense · **Posted:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:53 pm

Those of us in the old car business have seen a similar instance where the people who have an old car but no money to restore it would rather see the car rot away than anyone else get the car restore it and enjoy it.How many of us would even know the name Tulare if not for the B-17 rotting there.I will bet dollars to doghnuts that the rivets are starting to go in that airframe. Very sad.

davidwomacks · **Joined:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:34 pm **Posts:** 195

I wasn't aware they had refused help. In that case the NMUSAF (if they do in fact own it) might need to give them a little kick in the rear about actually taking care of the plane. Anyone have contacts inside of the NMUSAF?

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 10:43 am

I volunteered and called them to see if they would like us to round up some volunteers for them. These volunteers could do anything from just giving the aircraft a bath (which it needs) to doing anything else they would like. I was told, "Nope, we feel it is up to snuff." The NMUSAF is indeed looking to get the WWII stuff indoors. There are some B-17's that are going to be moved around. The sequester delayed some of it. But it is still going to take place.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 11:00 am

mustangdriver wrote:

I volunteered and called them to see if they would like us to round up some volunteers for them. These volunteers could do anything from just giving the aircraft a bath (which it needs) to doing anything else they would like. I was told, "Nope, we feel it is up to snuff." The NMUSAF is indeed looking to get the WWII stuff indoors. There are some B-17's that are going to be moved around. The sequester delayed some of it. But it is still going to take place.

Good news for sure.

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 871

mustangdriver wrote:

I volunteered and called them to see if they would like us to round up some volunteers for them. These volunteers could do anything from just giving the aircraft a bath (which it needs) to doing anything else they would like. I was told, "Nope, we feel it is up to snuff." The NMUSAF is indeed looking to get the WWII stuff indoors. There are some B-17's that are going to be moved around. The sequester delayed some of it. But it is still going to take place.

Interesting news on this. I'd hate to think how they would categorize "not up to snuff". It's a shame they wouldn't consider volunteer help.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:30 pm

I may have a temporary nose piece they can use. It's not the best, but it's better than what they have.

JohnB · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:28 pm

mustangdriver wrote:

The NMUSAF is indeed looking to get the WWII stuff indoors. There are some B-17's that are going to be moved around. The sequester delayed some of it. But it is still going to take place.

I hope you're correct.
But as someone with direct experience with USAF politics regarding display aircraft, I won't be holding my breath.
I'd wager that individual generals still have a lot of say on how aircraft are displayed and where...whether it makes sense or not.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:56 pm

I am sure that to an extent that still exists. However there is indeed a plan to move some stuff around.

hang the expense · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:43 pm

God help the folks who get that airplane.She is missing so much.

TAdan · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 5:11 pm

hang the expense wrote:

God help the folks who get that airplane.She is missing so much.

But look at what is still there! A non-crashed or sunken airframe that has spent most of its life in storage in a dry climate. That is a much better start than many restorations get.

I hope it gets the TLC it deserves some day soon.

hang the expense · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:33 pm

I have made a ton of parts and structures for the mighty eighth museums airplane and it is a lot more complete than the Tulare airplane and I agree what is there is some good stuff.I wonder what the level of corrosion may be?

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:59 pm

hang the expense wrote:

I have made a ton of parts and structures for the mighty eighth museums airplane and it is a lot more complete than the Tulare airplane and I agree what is there is some good stuff.I wonder what the level of corrosion may be?

So how are things with the B-17 at Natl Museum of the Mighty Eighth AF? What did the interior look like when the museum took delivery of the B-17 and how does it look now? Do you have any photos you could share w/ us?

hang the expense · **Posted:** Tue Feb 18, 2014 7:47 pm

Going well for them.I have finished the ball turret hanger and am building the top turret tub assy as well as Lower bulkhead one and all of bulkhead 2.I will be supplying the mighty eighth with an astrodome skin oh and have supplied a lot of the tailgun and all of the chin turret tub assy.Its getting there.

davidwomacks · **Joined:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 2:34 pm **Posts:** 195

mustangdriver wrote:

I volunteered and called them to see if they would like us to round up some volunteers for them. These volunteers could do anything from just giving the aircraft a bath (which it needs) to doing anything else they would like. I was told, "Nope, we feel it is up to snuff." The NMUSAF is indeed looking to get the WWII stuff indoors. There are some B-17's that are going to be moved around. The sequester delayed some of it. But it is still going to take place.

Well all I can say is that they don't deserve to keep that plane with that attitude. What is their problem with people helping them keep it up? Whats crazy that they wouldn't even let it be washed. I have half a mind to get a bucket and hose and go do it myself and when they tell me to leave I'll tell them to kiss my :spit

SaxMan · **Posted:** Wed Feb 19, 2014 6:13 pm

I was able to take the PDF download of the list of planes and convert it to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, so one could sort the list by location or by organization as well. If anyone is interested in having the list in that format, just PM me and I will e-mail it to you.

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The B-17 at Tulare, Calif

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