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Re: Desert Rat update?
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:32 pm
by DryMartini
Dave wrote:so nice to see bits being added
There must be a bit of a translation problem here.
A "bit" is an ashtray, or a placard.
This...THIS is a structure...an assembly...a giant leap forward in the
progress toward getting another B-17 back in it's rightful place...IN THE AIR!
Just having a little fun with ya...
And the Progress Continues!
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:49 pm
by DryMartini
Another day, another skin panel!
Imagine what we could do if it wasn't 25 degrees outside....
Panel is off, and being templated:
New 2024 skin being fitted and drilled:
Re: Desert Rat update?
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:17 am
by TAdan
Wonderful update Bill. Nice to see the "Rat" is coming along.
Re: Desert Rat update?
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:19 am
by Dave
Well us Brits are very reserved dont you know......
I am only jealous as I do not have a complete B-17 to call my own.
Just finished my hydraulic tank.... so this is classed as a 'bit' .
Very well done on the progress
Re: Desert Rat update?
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:07 pm
by PineCastleAAF
So how goes it? Any luck on the tooling for the spars yet?
Re: Desert Rat update?
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:59 pm
by hang the expense
That is looking really nice you guys.Hurry! Cold weather is rapidly approaching...again.
Re: Desert Rat update?
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:50 am
by DryMartini
A picture of 41-2595's Instrument panel.
All metal, unlike the B-17G panels.
Re: Desert Rat update?
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:10 am
by TAdan
The instrument panel looks great Bill.
Nice wall decor too.
Re: B-17E 41-2595 Desert Rat Restoration
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 6:29 pm
by Lucky 13
Mike you and the guy's have done a nice job on the rat, it has come a long way's cents I was there in June of 2009. Here is a photo of the rat after I had finish putting it on the jig back then.
Re: B-17E 41-2595 Desert Rat Restoration
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:42 pm
by DryMartini
Updated pictures from this past weekend are posted.
Check them out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariagalact ... 994218629/
Thanks, Lucas!
Re: B-17E 41-2595 Desert Rat Restoration
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:51 pm
by DryMartini
Another October, another update!
Turtledeck area above BLK#4, in front of the lift raft bay. Hmmm. What goes here?
Why, its the ORIGINAL ARMOR PLATE, with the original mounting hardware.
Believe me, that stuff is HEAVY. Dare I say it would stop a speeding bullet...
This is the top turret well. A very difficult piece to make, as there are no specific drawings
for all the pieces. The OD channel along the back is a water catch which will divert water to the
outside of the turtledeck once the tubes are fitted.
Another view of the well. The back pieces unscrew, presumable to be able to
perform maintenance on the armor plate.
The pilot's compartment decking, with the repaired combings.
Refitted and primed combing on the decking.
No more convertible, this is a hard top! Looking its best since 1942, I'd say.
Re: B-17E 41-2595 Desert Rat Restoration
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 9:14 pm
by hang the expense
Nice work guys.Do you think you will get the top riveted on before winter?She looks great.
Re: B-17E 41-2595 Desert Rat Restoration
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 3:25 pm
by hang the expense
Ok now,its snowing up there.So is the turtle deck riveting done?????
B-17E 41-2595 Desert Rat Restoration Update
Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 1:21 pm
by DryMartini
And here is what is happening out in Northern Illinois:
The left wing tip, being stripped, repaired, and reskinned.
Just how big is a B-17 wing tip? Well, bigger than you think.
Some interesting writing found inside the wing tip.
It appears that these tips were not 41-2595's original wing tips, as they had a
tip vents added to them. The right wing tip, made by Briggs in Indianapolis,
indicated it was for a B-17F, but there was a 'G' stamped over the 'F'.
I'll have to get a picture of that.
And here is a part from 41-2595, alsk known as "Ship #203"
