A Man Builds His Own B17 e, 2014 Desert Rat Restoration Update PLUS A Tail Gunner

I checked in on the Desert Rat B 17e Flying Fortress project recently. I met a WW2 B17 tail gunner there, Kenneth Hoffman. He spoke a little about his experience as a teenager in the War. He was on 35 missions.
Mike Kellner spoke about how the project is coming along.

[@danielbritton8588]

As always, the negative thumbs down people may kiss my ass. This project is great & interesting. He was lucky to find one. I am so glad they are showing it attention. Found right in my neck of the woods. I wish I could volunteer to labor on this.

[@colinh4303]

great job to all involved from start to finish and all the airmen and crew who fought and died for peace

[@1957kwick]

6 years have past l hope they are still working on the old gal..2020 best of luck men.and thank the men and women who have served.🇺🇸

[@craigpennington1251]

What an amazing story this is. Wishing all those concerned in building all the best for a fine finished product.

[@jungletension2835]

Don't let the haters bother you it probably didn't even like their own mother. Great video awesome project love the B-17 I would go visit the nine 0 mine every year in Pompano FL a shame she crashed. I think these birds are getting too scarce and priceless to fly anymore

[@sidefx996]

Unbelievable!!! This guy is really living the dream. Wish I could afford to take the time off and help. Really hard for most people to comprehend the amount of work involved in restoring this back to flying condition. I've had the pleasure of being inside 2 or 3 over the years and hope to one day get to fly in one. Just unreal, congratulations and best wishes for continued success and good luck with the project. Those of us who get it are thankful for folks like you who take on an immense project like this for the rest of us to enjoy one day.

[@bdubz5150]

sidefx996 ..Iam in the same boat my friend. I wish I could take the time to help them as well. Iam an aerospace structural seasoned specialist. I've built, repaired, and fabricated many aircraft by hand in professional shops including the military. I've been involved in space craft structure fabrication, and worked on aircraft that are nearly 100 years old. What these guys are doing is friggin awesome... I hope it all comes together has has come together great!

[@way2fasts]

unbelievable, good luck, it will be awesome when its up in the air again

[@P61guy61]

Thanks for posting and thanks to those that are keeping history alive. I hope we never forget those who gave all for us.

[@ziggassedup]

That's passion...And a heap of cash but it's going to look brand new...Please keep up updating.

[@MontagueMile]

Wow! I thought Jack Bally had a project on his hands with his 1/3 rd scale B-17G. This is ambitious to say the least. Good luck and keep it up.

[@ImAdapt73]

Very nice! thank you for sharing this. I hope to see updates on that cool project!

[@ImAdapt73]

Oh lol there is one that says update just to the right!

[@RideswithChuck]

ImAdapt73 I wish KZbin would make it easier to find all the parts of a video. They usually end up all over the place.

[@laboitevide]

Amazing video! Thanks for sharing!

[@zzzdogutube]

Big project! Thanks

[@Minong_Manitou_Mishepeshu]

How many E model 17s flying today? I have only noticed F and Gs.

[@jamesdoiron4139]

It's too bad that Boeing couldn't lend a hand in the restoration project on this beautiful bird, the B-17 rebuild.

[@triplanelover]

look forward to seeing its maiden flight; there is a guy who built a 1/3 scale flying B17 somewhere in the Midwest, but don't know if he's flown it yet. He'd be a good resource for you all.

[@RideswithChuck]

triplanelover I have exchanged emails with the 1/3 scale guy from Dixon, Illinois. He doesn't seem interested in working with me, but hope springs eternal.

[@rickyshwaishwai3060]

+RideswithChuck All for the best if he's not interested in your REAL bomber project as those guys sniff dope all day why they play with their toys... Rattatatata, ping, pew, I'm hit, going down... Mom can you make me a sandwitch? type.

[@RideswithChuck]

The Dixon guys are serious professionals, I think they have their own person documenting their project. RICKY SHWAISHWAI

[@anmichall]

Thank you

[@moorefamily8974]

I love this thing!!!! I would love to find out where this is!

[@noneavailable1916]

Another great vid thanks

[@HeyRadialMoon]

Can't wait to see it fly. Maybe you'll take us for a ride in it someday?

[@RideswithChuck]

Maybe! There is a long line of volunteers though.

[@kennedysingh3916]

Very interesting

[@craigkoehler4363]

He meant Cheyenne tail.

[@nitroexpress2438]

so if this is not a build from scratch project, what did it come as, a box of parts? seems pretty far gone..

[@maxsmodels]

awesome

[@comander402]

HOLA MUY BUEN TRABAJO..

[@magamaga8625]

Does anyone have the contact info for the owner of this plane?

[@tattrie17]

How far along? They are building one in Ohio. At Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio! At the museum. Word is they have enough money to finish in my lifetime. I'm 32. God I hope you finish hours as well! I'm sure you know about this, but in the off chance you do not I hope the information helps as both parties can communicate and help each other out with parts and what not.

[@gehlen52]

Seems to me that Boeing would have a junk yard or an obscure warehouse somewhere full of old stuff they could donate.

[@bgndeath]

+gehlen52 After the B-17 contracts expired with the UAAAF all stores of parts were used up pretty quick. The B-29 was the replacement after the war so all old B-17's that were flyable were sent to Mothman AFB in AZ. Eventually they were all destroyed. Some parts like engines were used by other ACFT. So it is a miracle that they actually found this B-17 at all in nearly complete condition. Every now and then I see a few parts for B-17's on Ebay believe it or not. Radios, engine condition levers. etc. There are parts still being made that will fit a lot of various ACFT that can be used on a B-17. Orings, Hyd Fittings, rivets, hardware, nuts bolts and screws and tires. Hyd lines and the cable flight controls are easy to reman. It is the specific formers that were cast and machined that are difficult and costly. I hope these guys were able to secure a set of blue prints to aid them in the restoration. I would love to be able to go there and help them with the project. Perhaps one day I will.

[@gehlen52]

+bgndeath Thanks for the info.

[@Datttsnake]

Alot of the planes were scrapped after ww2

[@matrox]

This guy is obviously a multi millionaire to be financing this project.

[@joaoricardobastos7324]

[ONU-jrjb]

[@burningb2439]

Beats the Hell out of sitting in a retirement home ..

[@skycop56]

These guys are America's finest. I hope they all live to see the B17 fly.

[@oldcremona]

It's vital that we record as much as possible from the old vets. Good work, Chuck.

[@RideswithChuck]

Good morning Mr.Banjoman!

[@willboyd4607]

My sister's husband builds WWI planes. Was in his barn once and saw a box containing a "brand" new WWI motor for a tri-plane German fighter. Believe his partner flew it in the movie "fly boys." They live in the Shenandoah Valley. So, if you happen to see some WWI fighters above you while traveling that way (I-81), don't be surprised.

[@RingingResonance]

the look of fear on that mans face when he talks about the 262...

[@finndog2759]

As he said, if Hitler had them sooner, we just mite be talking German now!!!

[@corvette724]

Unbelievable Chuck, the Project is getting shape. I´m shure, this thing will fly. Is there any support from Boing? They should be intersted in their History.

[@tattrie17]

The youngest guy us 68 or so? Wish I lived closer to them! I would be there every day banging rivets learning from them. Our greatest generation ever, bar none!

[@42lookc]

Darn right on all levels!

[@colj001]

its very interesting to hear stories of old ww2 vets, his story had me on the edge of my seat.

[@RideswithChuck]

+colj001 My next upload is a B17 and another WWII vet.

[@briansteffmagnussen9078]

I could live in that barn with the B-17 all the rest of my life.

[@RideswithChuck]

+Brian steff magnussen I know what you mean...

[@davehansen2255]

This is why we love KZbin.

[@bill88wins99]

Thanks for the update> I had been wondering how it was coming along. Love hearing the stories from those that lived it. Thank you to all that served.

[@_Matsimus_]

6:21 did anyone see the animal calling the pirate thing queer lol!

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

How is not the world giving you a thumbs up? READ THE DRY ERASE BOARD PEOPLE!!! LOWER LEFT

[@finndog2759]

Thank you guys for what you done and gave to this once great country. Sad today the best we can do for presidents, is draft dodging cowards!!!! Sad.

[@crazytrucker2376]

All these guys fought to make others rich

[@markfrench8892]

I'm a little disgusted because he's rebuilding it to B-17E specifications. It's is the only B-17 purposely built a as a cargo plane and I feel that it should be restore as one. It's a rare one of a kind.

[@andrewalexander9492]

Except, it wasn't purpose built as a cargo plane. It was built as a B-17E bomber, and initially was used in bomber training. It was later modified as a cargo plane There were three other b-17's modified as cargo planes, so it wasn't the only one, and they weren't particularly historically significant. The owner is restoring this to it's original build configuration. When you start your own B-17 restoration project, you can restore it any way you want.

[@OldGeezer55]

Please add closed Captions.

[@lothar29]

many years of wisdom together here working.. good job all

[@Twister051]

Holy schnikees! Tons and tons of work. Good luck, guys!

[@kimdufek6635]

Awesome job guys

[@colubrinedeucecreative]

Well done, Chuck! What a job they are doing!

[@42lookc]

I hope you guys make it fly! I really do. God Bless and keep up the good work!

[@trainroomgary]

These vets have it all together in an excellent shop. They all have their part to do on this historic aircraft. Well done.

[@RideswithChuck]

It is a truly fascinating project and I enjoy the drive out into the country too!

[@madisonelectronic]

Looks like the main construction expense are the clocos.

[@daniel_f4050]

Anyone know the current status of the restoration?

[@RideswithChuck]

I hope to visit the project next month to get an update.

[@ricksadler797]

Awesome

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Great update Chuck.

[@kffive]

6:36 Ted Nugent and B-17= Mangazum.

[@honeydew5022]

These dudes are awesome

[@johnnymac1165]

i wish it was mine !!!

[@Rickugg]

Hello: Its amazing the places you go and things you see. Have a Good One

[@RideswithChuck]

I think we are probably all surrounded by interesting people, places and things.

[@barrypfost2963]

The Best of the Best!

[@e-rj8984]

What a project!

[@ckelley63]

AWESOME!!

[@lapinsky91]

This is great, I really enjoyed this video.

[@RideswithChuck]

Thank you.