B-17 that ferried MacArthur, not built as a bomber
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John Smickle
B-17 that ferried MacArthur, not built as a bomber
About 20-25 years ago I read in one of the classic aviation mags about the discovery of a B-17, the model I can't recall, just that it was one of only three variants made to ferry people around, not bomb targets. This one, the only survivor, was found sectioned apart and for some reason had never been scrapped. The article stated it had ferried MacArthur around for awhile. I'm unable to find any site to look at re the fate of this rare B-17. Anybody know anything, or have the article I'm speaking of? John in Chattanooga[/b]
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aerovin2
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John,
I think you're thinking of the X-108A, formerly B-17E 41-2595, that was found sectioned in a remote area near Bangor, Maine, back in the 1970s. There were three C-108s built, one of which was used by MacArthur, but it was not this airplane. The XC-108A was a prototype cargo conversion of the B-17E, developed along with the C-109, the cargo version of the B-24. The XC-108A was not particularly successful, and the entire program was supplanted by enough production of cargo airplanes to make in unnecessary. However, the XC-108A does survive, is owned by Mike Kellner, and is undergoing a very long term restoration back to the B-17E configuration. You'll find postings of its restoration progress through the many years of B-17 News posted on the aerovintage.com website and, coincidently, it will also have a dedicated page also on this website soon. It is being restored as the Desert Rat after a name seen under a layer of paint on the nose during the restoration process. One of the guys deeply involved on the restoration project regularly posts here. The airplane is being restored at Marengo, Illinois.
I think you're thinking of the X-108A, formerly B-17E 41-2595, that was found sectioned in a remote area near Bangor, Maine, back in the 1970s. There were three C-108s built, one of which was used by MacArthur, but it was not this airplane. The XC-108A was a prototype cargo conversion of the B-17E, developed along with the C-109, the cargo version of the B-24. The XC-108A was not particularly successful, and the entire program was supplanted by enough production of cargo airplanes to make in unnecessary. However, the XC-108A does survive, is owned by Mike Kellner, and is undergoing a very long term restoration back to the B-17E configuration. You'll find postings of its restoration progress through the many years of B-17 News posted on the aerovintage.com website and, coincidently, it will also have a dedicated page also on this website soon. It is being restored as the Desert Rat after a name seen under a layer of paint on the nose during the restoration process. One of the guys deeply involved on the restoration project regularly posts here. The airplane is being restored at Marengo, Illinois.