Thought I would post a couple of previews of the around 50 pics I got today for you fellows over here in this part of the site.Would have gotten more, but as usual the batteries were going dead in the camera. If y’all like these , I’ll get the rest up up on my site because , you know us tread heads are just swell guys. Most of the pics are of the tid bits pulled off the ole girl , so just ask and I’ll get em up!
And just in case you are wondering what those are of, I would sure hope not. [;)]Here’s a small hint…
And to think, I might be inclined to build a plane now. [:0]
Those pics ain’t half bad Lizard, nope ain’t half bad at all[8D]. There’s a few guys around building B-17s at the moment so you can expect some requests from them real soon I guess. You just be careful you don’t catch the plane building bug[(-D].
Yes - planes are bad…planes are bad…
Fantastic photos!! What a piece of history - I’d gladly sacrifice a very important (and highly valued) part of my anatomy to catch a ride in that…
When I was little ,my dad used to get gas at a service station in Oregon (can’t remember where) that had a B-17 up on pylons…fantastic childhood memories.
WHOA! [:O] How cool is that?!? post some more!! [:D]
Chris: Go for it!! I love B-17s and i Highly recommend the Academy offering in 1/72! of course, you could always go for the Revell one in 1/48!! coughplanes are good, planes are good, planes are goodcough [:-^]
Lee: Yeah, i saw a picture of that in the B-17 Warbird Tech… The book says it’s in Milwaukie, Oregon on Highway 99.
Oh man Chris… you’re one lucky guy. I’d love to be able to poke around that bird. What a piece of history!! Thanks for the look… hope you post some more of those.
I live in Portland, and I know exactly which plane you are referring to. The gas station is now a restaurant, called (appropriately enough) “The Bomber”, they have the nose off of it right now, and are trying to raise money for a restoration, but it is still there! Very cool! If you would like, I could try to snap a couple of shots of it next time I am in that area, it may be a while…
Hey Lizard, What you’re smelling is called fresh, clean air. Thats some good pictures. I’m glad to see that you got your reservation. Now, if the urge ever hits to build a plane kit, you’ll know what brought it about and not think you’re coming down with something. Nothing like a good dose of history and nostalgia to get the creative juices flowing. Oh, and by the way, Welcome to the Light Side of things.
Very nice pictures indeed and thanks for sharing! Did you guys know the Memphis Belle name lived on after WWII in the form of an F-105 and A-10? here’s the info…
I am going to try and have all 50 pics I took up on my site sometime this week end for your enjoyment. I saw the Academy kit in thier gift shop, was tempted to get it but figured I could get it another day and instead bought a couple of things for the kids and put the rest of the money in the donation jar.
nsclcctl & jimz66 - It is under going restoration right a little ways north of Memphis at an old air force hanger. From what the gentleman there said it is a 3 year project and they are trying to find a permenent home for her, that and the hanger it is in right now is to small to put everything back togoether. He is the lead engine guy and is in the process of tearing down all the engines and putting them back to gether, they will not be operational though.
The plane was being neglected in a tent around Memphis. Anyone who lives near Ypsilanti Michigan or Oshkosh Wisconsin can get a ride on a B-17G for around $400, or walk thru for 5. The planes in that order are Yankee Lady and Aluminum Overcast, though I think it moved somewhere else.
Actually, it’s in Millington, Tennessee, at an old NAVY base (NAS Millington), not USAF. It’s about 12 miles due north of Memphis on US Highway 51. The Belle was determined to be rotting away again at her old home under a psuedo-tent on Mud Island in the Mississippi River, near downtown Memphis. An association was formed to raise money for another restoration of the Belle, and she was subsequently moved to her present home in a hangar at NAS Millington. I remember when she was rotting away at the Memphis International Airport way back in the early '70s. I used to climb around in her as a kid, not knowing what her historical significance was at the time. I just knew that she was an old B-17.
Thanks for sharing and please do post the rest of the pics. I just would like to caution you on the Academy 1/72 Memphis Belle since it does not represent the right early B-17F version for the Belle. Please check the ’ 1/72 B-17F Memphis Belle’ topic in this forum.
