Aero Vintage Books

Hello fellow B 17 Affectionatos,
Tuesday I drove up to Tulare to assess the condition of Preston's Pride in Tulare, .CA.
In my opinion the aircraft needs lots of T.L.C.
s/n 8647(-VE) Full US military serial 44-85738. This remarkably solid looking B-17 has been in situ since May 1958. It has twice been hit by vehicles, first in 1982 and again in 2003, but has been repaired each time and remains on display as part of the American Veterans Memorial Tulare, CA.
The only markings are 1947 U.S.A.F. stars and bars. Everything all the other markings are faded or no longer exist.
The last time I saw Preston's Pride I was 12 or 13 1966 or 67. When my family went to kings canyon and Yellowstone. She was in much better shape then.
I am appalled that she is in such a detoriating condition She deserves to be restored in proper markings and have any missing items like the starboard formation light replaced.. I am planning on talking to various veterans groups in the area and starting a letter writing campaign to restore her makings to represent a memorial dedicated to the 20,000 plus airman who flew and died in the queen of the skies.
I sent Scott all of the photos I took I will resize them and post them here in a few days.
Anyone out there have any comments or suggestion?
Please feel free to post them here.
Thank you,
Tim Rathbone

Tim,

Not sure if you are aware that there is actually a concerted effort right now to do some work on the Tulare B-17, and that is why the markings are stripped. It was recently power-washed in an effort to get the many layers of "stuff" off the skin and then the intent is to try and polish it and apply new markings.

See the posts for the group B-17 Archaeology on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/B17Archaeology/?ref=br_rs

I think it is generally agreed that the airplane is in poor condition; the interior is pretty much stripped out and the exterior is much in need of the work being done and more. For anyone interested, the B-17 Archaeology group is always looking for volunteer help and funds to help them along the way. Greg Stathatos from the group is working with the Tulare AMVETS and raising awareness of the airplane's condition with local groups.

B-17 Archaeology also did the work last year on the March Field B-17G 44-6393 with a repaint and new markings.