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Welcome
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:52 am
by aerovin2
Welcome to a new forum. The purpose of this new forum is to act as a clearinghouse for questions and comments about putting a B-17C back into the air. There have been discussions over the past few years about constructing a B-17C using new construction and existing parts. This project is entirely do-able. All it takes is organization and money. The skill is out there.
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:46 am
by DIK SHEPHERD
I still say that a "D" model is much more do-able.
A "D" model?
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:29 am
by DryMartini
And why is that?
A "C" model doesn't have cowl flaps and the hardware
that entails.
Realistically, an early model will need to use later-model
equipment, as there is almost nothing left as NOS from those
132 early production planes.
I mean, the "C" has a 12V electrical system. Everything
after it had a 24V.
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:06 am
by DIK SHEPHERD
Exactly my point.
Late model stuff (which includes systems equipment) is more available (although not by much), including wings (with cowl flaps).
And there are reasons why most everything else was/is made into 24V instead of 12V (that even means today), they're called dependability and durability.
The Martin B-26s we recovered had 12V systems and I do believe they were converted to 24V during the restoration.
Hell, even the Army truck we used for the trip had a 24V system.
So, the differences are....
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:18 am
by DryMartini
The only VISIBLE difference between a "C" and a "D"
are the cowl flaps. Easier to take them out than to
make them work!
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:31 pm
by DIK SHEPHERD
Okay, since this needs to answered in a professional manner.
Someone needs to ask those pilots that currently fly the B-17s as to how often they use the cowl flaps?
Are they a necessary item, or a useless one.
And something else that should be considered is, anything that doesn't have to be made (such as "G" engine cowlings verses "C" engine cowlings) saves on overall cost of such a project.