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Don't know, but if you do need to fix it, where are you going to get a new B-17 spar and what will it take to put it in?Presumably this will be a temporary grounding until all wing spars can be inspected? Or are we seeing the end of flying B-17s?
The BoB Memorial Flight Lancaster PA474 was resparred over the course of a winter season in 1995. But the biggest problem proved to be getting hold of the correct materials to do it. Fortunately some old metal produced for the Shackleton was found to do the job.Don't know, but if you do need to fix it, where are you going to get a new B-17 spar and what will it take to put it in?
It'll likely affect ALL flying B-17's worldwide. With a few exceptions, state of design AD's are generally accepted without too much questioning.Does this affect the other B-17's registered and flown in the U.S.? I was not aware how few airworthy B-17's remain here, and I am guessing Sally B in the UK is the only other one in the world. As much as I love seeing and hearing them fly at airshows, we might be getting close to the time that they are run up and taxied from now on- they are so precious few now! So sad that Liberty Belle, Nine-0-Nine, and Texas Raiders are gone now.
Mike
Probably better without their 'input'.The CAF in Arizona put a new wing spar in their B-17 35+ years back, so it isn't impossible. They got zero help from Boeing.
Boeing told them (hearsay from several people at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona) the airplane was designed 70 years ago with a life expectancy of 90 hours and you want help flying it?! That's too much liability!
Probably better without their 'input'.
The USAAF planned for 25 missions for each crew because they calculated they would last no longer than that.What did they mean by 90 hours?
There are a total of 5 B-17s worldwide currently certified as airworthy, 4 of which are in the US (including Yankee Lady), with 7 more undergoing restoration to airworthiness.Does this affect the other B-17's registered and flown in the U.S.? I was not aware how few airworthy B-17's remain here, and I am guessing Sally B in the UK is the only other one in the world. As much as I love seeing and hearing them fly at airshows, we might be getting close to the time that they are run up and taxied from now on- they are so precious few now! So sad that Liberty Belle, Nine-0-Nine, and Texas Raiders are gone now.
Mike