B-17C Update

[DryMartini]

A little preview into some new-made parts for "Mary Ann".

Wing Tip rear spar web


Wing Tip front spar web



I'm planning on having a recognizable part of a shark tail B-17 done for
Thunder Over Michigan. Wish me luck - it is a big undertaking.

[Chris Brame]

Now that you've named her Mary Ann, and since she's a new build, will you list her serial with the FAA as "40-5564", or will the ID of a real B-17C be used?

[DryMartini]

Good question - I don;t have an answer for that.
I may wait until I have more than a wing tip spar web
to make that decision.

[AirBoss]

I am new to this forum, but I have been involved in the vintage aircraft movement for over 30 years. I am guessing the B-17C project is being accomplished along side Desert Rat. Here is a real possibility that should be explored, If it has not been done already I would contact the Air Force Museum and and offer to trade work on the Swoose. That airplane will need parts rebuilt and a good chance some tooling made to support the restoration. It is very easy to turn out two parts and borrow tooling once it is not being used. When I was in the Air Force they were looking for each Air Base to take a project for restoration. My maintenace squadron cammader fell down on the job at my base after I laid the ground work.

Also one of the survivors of the 19th BG in the Phillipines flying out of Mindanao ran out fuel and set down on a very sparsely in habbited in the PI on the way back to Del Monte. See Queens Die Proudly. It is a good chance that the airplane is still there!

I know for a fact that there are a lot of airplanes and airplane parts buried at former Clark Field Republic of the Phillipines, Wheeler Field Hawaii, and Hickam Field Hawaii. I was shown a portion of blue fuselage skin from a Boeing P-26 that came out the burial pile at Wheeler on one of my TDYs there.

I am a former Boeing employee who was good freinds with the present Historian Mike Lombardi. Engineering drawings from Boeing for a flying project will be an issue. Boeing helps with static projects, but flyers are another issue due to liability issues, and for good reason. When you are talking flying restorations using engineering drawings from the 30s, the legitament fear is a drawing critical to the safety of flight maybe missing.

I am currently out of work like so many others but would very willing to support a legitament project. I have contributed my expertise to aircraft restorers and museums world wide.