B-17C Update

[beast44k]

Do you give any tours of the shop or anything?
I get up to your neck of woods a couple times a year and would love to see how things are done.

[DryMartini]

People stop by all the time.
Best to email or call beforehand, though,
to make sure we prepare the welcoming committee.

[beast44k]

Awesome, we're trying to make a Schaumburg trip in February, I'll hit you up, when I know more.

[DryMartini]

I live in Palatine, so email/PM me a few days before you leave.
We'll set up a time, and give you the E-Ticket tour.

[DryMartini]

Had not posted in a while, so if anyone is womdering how
the B-17C project is going, read on.

I have been working away on drawings for a while now.
Some I've already posted. (see previous posts).

Mike and I have a plan, and we are hoping to start something
this summer as far as a recognizable part of a shark-tail B-17.

- I have a BLK #1 waiting for me as soon as I get down to Hang's place and form it.
- Ray Moore has been kind in assembling BLK #2.
- I already had the top and sides to BLK #3, and am planning on making the "C" channels
and webbing, along with Ray Moore (who needs the same stuff for "Lucky 13").
- Hang and I have been working over a plan to make the forms and stretch form
some major pieces of BLK #4 & BLK #5.
- I have been reviewing BLK #6, and figuring out how I can get that assembly going.
- BLK #7 is built up from angles and webs, and may be the next bulkhead I draw out and assemble.
It is important to remember that this is a shark-tail only bulkhead, and of no use to any other B-17.
- I also have been looking at the flight desk plans, and bought extrusions for the main
support beams
- I have nose window frames for the 10-window nose
- I have longerons and stringers for the forward fuselage
- I have longerons for the rear fuselage.

So, although there is nothing physical to show as far as a fuselage, parts are being
made, if ever-so-slowly.

If someone is independently wealthy and can pay me, allowing me to quit
my job and work on the B-17C full time, things would go *MUCH* faster.

[aerovin2]

I wish I could. Kudos to you for pushing this project forward, and for all the others lending hands and expertise in creating a masterpiece.

[OldBillB17F]

It is good to see that the B-17C project is still moving forward Bill.

[DryMartini]

Steadily making progress on drawings, and on plans for
what to do and how to do it.




Here we see Hang The Expense, helping show me how things are
done in the real world. This is Marry Ann's BLK #1 being fitted
and cleaned up.

Than means I have BLKs 1, 2, and 3 in some state of assembly.
Add longerons, stringers, windows, and all I need to do is get my ribs
heat treated and straightened. *Bam!* I have a nose! Well, I guess
I need a ton of AN455 rivets, too....

I'm also working on the drawings for what I consider one of the
iconic parts of a shark tail B-17. I'll leave you to guess what THAT is.

[OldBillB17F]

Good to see that the B-17C project is moving onward! You said you are cleaning up the drawings for the iconic part of the B-17C? Well, that is the tail fin for sure. I could be totally wrong though.

-Tim

[05564]

Haven't seen any updates lately, how's it going? Would love to hear, and see what's new.

[DryMartini]

Yeah - Been busy working on
cockpit/control column drawings and parts.
We are moving...slowly...but moving none the less.
I'll make an effort to post something in the next
week or so.

[DryMartini]

I am back on line with pictures.
Hope they work.

B-17C update coming as soon as tonight.

[DryMartini]

It's been a long time coming, but I've worked out the 3rd party host issues,
at least for the time being. And, as I have been asked about what is happening
with the B-17C project, well, here you go.

Most of the last couple years, we have been prioritizing the B-17E over the C
for obvious reasons. I mean, we have most of an E model, and very little
of a C model. I wanted to start with some of the most iconic parts of a C
to show some progress. To me, that's the fin/rudder, and the side windows.

The rudder microfilm is in bad condition, and I was making slow progress in cleaning it up
when I switched to the side window emplacement.


I liked it so much, that you can view a similar drawing in Scott Thompson's
"Final Cut" 5th Edition, available from this web site. (You are welcome, Scott)

Then, I did the cover assembly:


So, we decided that this year, we'd start on one of the side emplacements, and
BLK #7 & #8.

If anyone would like to make small parts, such as the tabs which tie the
stringers to the ribs, or larger parts, please get a hold of me by reply or PM.
All aluminum (for this assembly) is 2024 alloy. Tolerances vary, but are
typically 1/64th of an inch. There are some 4130 steel sheet pieces as well
for which I can provide a CAD drawing. If you'd like to help in other ways,
(want to spend your tax return?) contact me by PM.

[aerovin2]

That logo, if that's what it is, looks great. So now you have drawings for the gun emplacement...now just need to make two.

[cfin2001]

Just hopped into the forums so I'm just jumping dead threads, I apologize, but I've been absolutely fascinated by the early model B-17s for a long time and wanted to pop in to give my support. I do want to ask a stupid question though; why hasn't any of 40-2047 been salvaged for restoration? Is it just too far gone? Is it because of the casualty? Because.. It seems like if the US wanted it to be preserved it would be better off in a museum than having a stapled-on paper sign saying, "Don't touch this please".. Because, in my experience, if you see a "DO NOT TOUCH" sign... People are more likely to touch it.

Just a thought!