The Desert Rat Pages
Restoration of B-17E 41-2595
See Below For How You Can Help!
Volunteers Needed
As can be seen, this restoration effort remains a monumental task. Mike Kellner and his small volunteer crew are devoted and spend many days each week working on the small pieces that gradually become the big pieces. As in any such restoration project, finances and labor are the challenges. If you live in the area around Marengo, Illinois, and that includes the greater Chicago and Rockford areas, and have some talent, experience, or just enthusiasm, Mike would like to talk to you. Many parts have to be created from drawings or pattern pieces, so someone with that skill set would be ideal. Email Mike.
Donations to Fund the Restoration Happily Accepted
The restoration of this B-17E is entirely a grass-roots effort. More time has been spent on the airplane than creating a slick fundraising campaign. Still, donations are always needed and welcome. If you choose to donate below, note that the donations are to William Stanczak…he is the treasurer of the Desert Rat group and all funds donated go directly to the PayPal account that supports the restoration effort. Every dollar donated will buy raw materials and parts for B-17E 41-2595.
As a personal note, neither I (Scott Thompson) nor Aero Vintage Books is connected to the Desert Rat restoration effort in any way other than to say that I have watched this group over the span of thirty years. I can also say without reservation that Mike Kellner and his team are completely dedicated to getting this airplane back in the air.
Why not consider setting up a regular monthly donation amount…say the equivalent of two cups of coffee ($10) that automatically goes to fund the restoration? I’m on board with this donation effort, and if we get a 100 dudes and dudettes to do so, that provides a much-needed steady income stream of $1,000 per month to buy some of the necessary widgets, rivets, aluminum, plexiglass, and all the other flotsam to keep this project moving.<