Back to "Mama"

[Doc]

Although Mark wandered as far as "Curtiss" this summer, we also had our affair with an "Aeronca" 7AC that is 99% complete...and flyable. Just waiting for a sign-off when the oil temp gauge is replaced. Off to the right is a Taylorcraft F-19 that is on the production line! Color scheme is "Deluxe" with yellow trimmed in black. We are still recovering the 1945 Boeing B-17G rudder...it needed repairs to the aluminum structures after years of exposure to the salt air in Norfolk, VA. Doc

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Back to "Mama"

There was a B-17G in Norfolk?!?! How did I miss that? Where was it and who owned it?
Hank (next door in Virginia Beach)

[Doc]

Re: Back to "Mama"

"Texas Raiders" is a 1945 Boeing Model B-17G that was one of the last built under contract by Douglas...too late for Europe, and placed in temporary storage until assigned to the US Navy as a patrol bomber in 1946. She was known as PBW #12, and was assigned to Norfolk where she worked as a radar picket ship over the Atlantic. During the Korean police action, she had a temporary assignment as an early AWACS and then returned to VA. She was eventually sold/resold until she became a part of the CAF. She finished her 3rd restoration this year...very heavy corrosion noted. The rudder we are refurbishing has a Norfolk Navy Yard rebuild plate on the rudder post. This spare rudder was built in 1945 by the Briggs (B&S) Aircraft Division, Detroit, MI and reworked by the USN in the early 1950s. Again, we found moderate to severe corrosion to skins and ribs. We started the heavy weight poly fiber cover today. Color scheme is Federal Olive Drab (LOL). Doc

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Back to "Mama"

OK, makes a LOT more sense now. I have been in the Norfolk area for the last 35 years and thought there was NO WAY a B-17 could have been hiding around here that long and I wouldn't have heard about it. It was here and gone long before my time here.
Any idea where the CAF will home base it? I know a GREAT place for it with experienced maintenance crews and perfect indoor storage available.
Hank