Warbird Information Exchange

Does anyone have any current updates on the P-38 and B-17 which now belongs to the Collings Foundation? These aircraft were with the Evergreen Museum. I thought I read somewhere that there is a crew out at the museum working on one or both of these aircraft preparing them for flight. I would assume back to American Aero in Florida. If this is true would I be correct that it would be under some type of a Ferry Permit? Any info on these aircraft would be much appreciated thanks in advance.

I heard from a source yesterday the P-38 may indeed end up at AAS. Don't recall if the B-17 was in the conversation. It might have been and I missed it.

Does the B-17 need to have the Spar fixed? I don't know if it has flown since the AD was issued.

SN

They got the engines running on the P-38 today.

From what I have read the plan is to ferry the B-17 and P-38 to American Aero for further maintenance prior to joining the Collings tour / collection in the future.

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

Might be a good time to verify once and for all when they redo the wings - look for any hidden inspection stamps; if they're Douglas it's 44-83785, if they're Lockheed/Vega it's 44-85531. I doubt the CIA would have bothered de-skinning the wings to grind off all the stamps.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

I wasn't aware the P-38 sold. Anyone got an idea of price? Surely, significantly below "Glacier Girl" s sale price. Are the markings, Gerry Johnson, 9th FS , Japan 1945 ?

Collings Foundation run a very professional outfit. This sale is a win for U.S. warbird enthusiasts. Looking forward to seeing it on the show circuit.

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"If that's a goddamn 'Jug' in front of me, you sure as hell better wiggle your wings." 80FS/8FG Cape Gloucester, December 1943. And the entire 41st Fighter Squadron rocked their wings.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR P-38 PARTS

The asking price was north of 6 million...

Was part of a large package including real estate and aircraft, so there is no individual "sale prices" for the aircraft including the B-17 and P-38. The aircraft were not recently offered "for sale" individually, so there is no firm number to compare.

Thanks for that, much appreciated. I always thought the sale price of "Glacier Girl" was a little high. I suspect the well documented and highly publicised provenance drove it up. So when this P-38 came on the market and the asking price was "a little north of 6 million" , I wasn't too surprised that it didn't selll immediately. I wonder if the Klaers have an accurate figure of how much it actually cost to recover "White 33" and return it to airworthy condition. I suspect it could be achieved for under 5 million (but I am just guessing).

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"If that's a goddamn 'Jug' in front of me, you sure as hell better wiggle your wings." 80FS/8FG Cape Gloucester, December 1943. And the entire 41st Fighter Squadron rocked their wings.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR P-38 PARTS

I do remember seeing this P-38 back when it was with the Harrah's collection.
It was stored outside under a "T-hanger" type structure and parked next to a P-40.

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

Although the P-38 was indeed initially listed for sale on its own, for just over $6m, it ended up being part of the group of aircraft purchased, which also included the Evergreen B-17G, Spitfire Mk.XVI, Bf-109G, P-40K, Curtiss-Wright CW-22, DH4M-1, and a Stearman, for what was published as $22m for it all.

As an asside, it has been published that Rod Lewis purchased "Glacier Girl" at the cost of $7m USD, back in 2007. By comparison, the cost of an Avspecs-restored flying Mosquito has been said to be around/near $6m USD (around/near $8m NZD).

Any sale is a meeting of the minds between purchaser and seller. Its the common ground between the most a purchaser is willing to pay and the least a seller is willing to accept. There was more to the story with GG though. IIRC, the Schoffner family sold it for somewhere in the $3.5 million range...then Rod Lewis bought it for $7M. The ultimate flip.

I heard rumor that once completed, the Evergreen B-17 will wear different markings than it currently has. Any ideas floating around as to what she will wear? Was curious if they would paint her up as one of '909's sister ships from the 91st BG, such as "Sweet 17" or "Cheri", or go in a completely different direction. Or, leave her in her current markings.

- Dennis S.
Westminster, CO USA

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"We must bond together and fight as brothers or we will all die as fools."

The lady from Collings I spoke to at Chicago Executive (didn't get her name) said it would be Outhouse Mouse.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Is the B-17 painted silver or bare metal? If bare metal, it would be a shame to paint her. I would be a nice contrast to the current B-17 and 24 who are currently in Camo colors.

But, I am not footing the bill. Sadly. But, Outhouse Mouse would be a nice paint job.