B-17 Restoration Thread...

**Quicksand** · October 22nd, 2009, 17:59

Thanks for the update, Witt. I am very anxious to see this old girl take to the skies once more...

MCDesigns · October 22nd, 2009, 18:04

Man I love this thread and I am envious, very cool stuff.

**Snuffy** · October 22nd, 2009, 18:06

No one is as envious as me about this!!

**Wittpilot** · October 27th, 2009, 19:03

A little off topic, but I was browsing the web a bit tonight.. and came across this photo...

http://picasaweb.google.com/matthew....58700104587202

I'm almost positive thats me behind the pilot & copilot in that picture... could be my brother... but I bet it is me on the last flight for me for the day, ( it got a little hot for the A-2)

**Wittpilot** · October 29th, 2009, 15:24

Before posting today's update.... I would like to take a time out to pay respects to a gentleman that passed away this past weekend... I made mention of it in a seperate thread, but incase you missed it... Gary Austin, a real "guru" of sorts in the warbird community left this world for the 'big airbase in the sky'... It was a thread Mr. Austin started on the restoration/reconfiguration of a B-24 that was the inspiration for this thread here... Although man never met him, talked to him, or really knew him at all, it seems he will be dearly missed by everyone....

On to other matters... More painting, and attempt #, attempt #..... uh.....ah, who the hell knows anymore.... another attempt at the seat bead.... this should give a bit of an idea again of the process of fitting it to the seat edge... shrinking/stretching & twisting....

-witt

**Quicksand** · October 29th, 2009, 15:52

Thanks for the report, Witt! Lookin good!

**Wittpilot** · November 15th, 2009, 16:00

Was doing a bit of "googling" tonight... Came up with this set from flikr. Looks like someone from the 'Desert Rat' project stopped in... Anyways, great photo-essay of the shop... Take a look... There are pictures of things that I don't even remember seeing!!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariagal...7622570908779/

-witt

**GT182** · November 16th, 2009, 10:51

She's looking great Witt.

I envy you guys working on her, just to have a hand in on the restoration is priceless.

Photos from the link are great too. You can never have enough of them to document what's going on.

**Bomber_12th** · November 30th, 2009, 22:54

Just noticed someone over at WIX made a recent visit to the shop, and has posted a large number of up-to-date photos of the progress thus far.

Witt, it looks like the bead around the seat is taking form very nicely! The nose art is looking excellent as well.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.or...hp?f=3&t=33341

**GT182** · December 1st, 2009, 05:35

The Champaign Lady is looking better and better all the time. Great photos in that thread over at Warbird Info Exch.

**Wittpilot** · December 1st, 2009, 14:23

Yeah John, That Shay character had to either be there this weekend or yesterday.... The basecoat of the woman was there only this weekend. The bead is pretty much ready to be heat treated and riveted on.

Look here for a more detailed look:

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...708#8511069708

Promise to keep updating more... Things are getting busy with holidays approaching and we are working 6 days a week at my plant....

-witt

**Wittpilot** · December 1st, 2009, 17:47

This is also updated I noticed... good read... kind of gives you an idea what the hangar is like...

http://www.b17project.com/index.php?...d=21&Itemid=50

**Snuffy** · December 2nd, 2009, 03:03

Great find guys!

And the Lady is lookin good Witt! All my best to the crew, please! :ernae:

**Wittpilot** · December 3rd, 2009, 17:06

The pin-up has a basic color to her, and we did some work on the frame for the co-pilot seat.

**Marlin** · December 3rd, 2009, 22:42

**Snuffy** · December 4th, 2009, 03:09

I sure hope you guys get those chairs done before the plane is ready ... you've been working on em for over a year now haven't ya? LOL!

Lookin good Witt!!

**Wittpilot** · December 10th, 2009, 16:32

Originally Posted by Snuffy

I sure hope you guys get those chairs done before the plane is ready ... you've been working on em for over a year now haven't ya? LOL!

Lookin good Witt!!

That thought has crossed our minds...........

I took a picture of these controls located next to the bombsight. I know one opens the bombbay doors, couldn't tell you exactly what they all do... This was all made from scratch!

**Snuffy** · December 10th, 2009, 17:31

I'll have to check my manuals ... more later.

**Snuffy** · December 10th, 2009, 18:13

Okay Witt, I'm back ...

From the inside, (nearest the bombardier)

The wheel is called Emergency Rewind Wheel
First lever is Bomb Door Control Lever
Second lever is Internal Bomb Control Lever
Third lever is External Bomb Control Lever

If you got more than this, my manuals don't tell me what they are.

**Wittpilot** · December 26th, 2009, 13:10

Snuffy, as far as I know you are correct on the levers...

On to our project for the holiday break.....

My father, brother, & I are working on a new mural for the new museum... Dad's the artist, brother is in college as an art major.... and I help reposition the ladder. Okay so I try and slow things down as much as possible and pick up a paint brush from time to time... They are the brains, I just paint what I'm told... but here's a rough beginnig after the first day.

It should be noted, that similar to the last mural, this one was used by a Flight Simulator still projected up onto the wall.

**Marlin** · December 26th, 2009, 17:05

Originally Posted by Wittpilot

My father, brother, & I are working on a new mural for the new museum... Dad's the artist, brother is in college as an art major.... and I help reposition the ladder. Okay so I try and slow things down as much as possible and pick up a paint brush from time to time... They are the brains, I just paint what I'm told... but here's a rough beginnig after the first day.

It should be noted, that similar to the last mural, this one was used by a Flight Simulator still projected up onto the wall.

Are the one responsible for the WoP FSX screenshot?
If so, that whole deal is ALL yours baby, and you have your family doing the dirty work. :mixedsmi:

But in the end it is all good regardless! You guys are doing a great job and have my thanks for keeping this thread updated. Thank you again.:USA-flag:

**Wittpilot** · December 26th, 2009, 17:43

Originally Posted by Marlin

Are the one responsible for the WoP FSX screenshot?

Are you talking about the WoP splashscreen? Sorry Marlin I didn't make out what you were referenicing... If you were hinting at what FS plane we used, that will reman a secret....(because I don't know which one they used)