Desert Rat 2021 B17e Update. Cutting it real close but it's all good.

I finally was able to visit Mike Kellner's B17e project. There was snow on the ground when I arrived. It was cold but it was worth it. / rideswithchuck
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17 41-2595 / The Desert Rat
Deutsch
B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress - The Queen Of The Skies 41-2595 / The Desert Rat
Production-block:
Boeing B-17E: 41-2393 to 41-2669
Manufacturer:
Boeing
Bomb Group:
383rd Bomb Group
Werbung/Advertisement
History of
B-17 41-2595 / The Desert Rat
Delivered MacDill 28/2/42; 97BG Sarasota 29/3/42; Ogden 7/7/42; 383BG Ainsworth 19/3/43; Wright-Patterson Fd 17/8/43, modified in 1944 to XC-108A experimental cargo a/c, bomb doors were sealed shut, armament removed, solid hinged nose piece and a large cargo door cut into rear fuselage; this took 19,000 man hours and program halted for others. It was based in India and used for flying material over the Hump and Returned to the USA in 10/44 ending up in pieces on the dump at Dow Fd in Maine. It was virtually complete and eventually sold for scrap to Mike Kellner 1985 at Galt, Ill, for restoration, now complete at Lake Bluff, Marengo, Ill., Destined to fly again. THE DESERT RAT.
Source: Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log*
Last updated: 3. May 2017

[@tomnishida9457]

Mike Kellner your one hell of a guy taken on this project. I wish I had the guts to do something like this. Good for you be proud of your self.===Tom===

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

I wish I lived closer so I could go volunteer. I'd really love to get my hands on another B-17 restoration. Great job Mike and the rest of the crew...

[@RideswithChuck]

Maybe one day!

[@kennysherrill6542]

Thanks for the update Chuck, it looks like it's coming along.👍❤🇺🇸

[@RideswithChuck]

It looks like the missing pieces from the worlds biggest model airplane kit have been found.

[@MichaelJohnson-cm4wp]

I live within 20 miles of the B-17 static display in Tulare, CA. About 2005 I was allowed inside of it to take pictures because I was building a 1/9th scale B17 Radio control.. That poor B17 was absolutely total gutted inside..Everything and anything was gone. The front chin gun turret was a fiberglass replica..Every gauge-control-tank-wiring was all gone.. The Amvets that are caretakers have sold off everything inside..It is parked right next to the freeway (Highway 99) and a truck went out of control and ran into it several years back..

[@AB-wf4gt]

Thank you so much

[@RideswithChuck]

You are very welcome.

[@MrBook123456]

looking good

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Amazing work and good for the long term vision of those who have accepted the challenge.

[@RideswithChuck]

Have a happy, healthy and safe 2022!!!

[@MichaelJohnson-cm4wp]

On Ebay there was someone selling the full plans as seen in some of the scenes here and other videos of the B17..Digital download..about 28000 files!!..I think I paid 100 for it and it was at least 28 gbs to download..Took me several days to get everything downloaded as my ISP has a daily download limit.. After looking at some of the files, it is amazing the detail drawings that were made..All drawn by hand!!

[@RideswithChuck]

It sounds like you have quite a fantastic find!

[@scottwooster4102]

this is great! I wish I could come and help.

[@retydeere1111]

Hand crank is of the landing gear. Had one I found in a chino cow pasture and gave it to TAM 20 years ago. Cool Chuck, keep up the good “rides”.

[@RideswithChuck]

I'll try....

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Happy New Year Chuck!

[@RideswithChuck]

2022 can only be better that 2021 and 2020.....I hope! Happy New Year to you too.

[@Rickugg]

Hello: Looks like my red motor 20-year-old Harbor Freight Drill Press !! It's been a long time coming. I believe they need more storage, Thanks, Chuck !!!

[@RideswithChuck]

When the time comes, a hanger will be needed.

[@dyer2cycle]

..counting the B-17's..was the Collings Foundation one the last one that has been lost?..and I thought the Liberty Belle was a total loss, too..nothing left but a tail and wingtips?...

[@jimoliver5758]

Will be posting an update on the b17

[@RideswithChuck]

I'll try...

[@willamcombs1106]

My question is for Mike. Those Carry Through Spar Tubes. Is that what the Machine shop messed up before that you talked about in another video a year or more back? And someone got you some new ones? I remember you said they were very expensive ($60,000.00?) and you didn't know how you were going to afford to replace them. If so, that is outstanding.

[@RideswithChuck]

Mike can be reached at [e-mail]

[@randalldunkley1042]

Why are hangers or aircraft restoration buildings always so cold?

[@RideswithChuck]

I imagine that the heating bills are very high.

[@AMStationEngineer]

America has lost so much, in the technical capabilities realm, case in point, the Saturn V Rocket System, famous for zero failures, we have no idea how they were built, and have all heard that NASA throws their hands up whenever the topic is addressed. "Sperry Instruments", hell, as best as we can figure, they built instruments which were capable of performing magically. Their altitude calibration systems, from the 1960's, are still state of the art. Thanks, Chuck, for keeping us up to date on the "Desert Rat".

[@RideswithChuck]

For every technology we gain, we lose a technology.

[@masagameryt6813]

How long did it take to finish????

[@RideswithChuck]

It isn't finished yet..

[@mikelavery1262]

Is,this the plane that's in Marengo.?

[@RideswithChuck]

Yes.

[@jasonmushersee]

sometimes the best option is to make the part in house. ive worked production manufacturing for metro transit busses electric golf carts high pressure hydraulic tanks valves for water treatment plants and several plastics factories there's always a "metal shop room" where they make their own tools for the 1 part no one has. when microsoft ended support for xp it messed up production everywhere some companies gone out of business some survive obtaining a little machine to stamp out thousands of 1 small part for the aircraft industry

[@RideswithChuck]

I wish my Dad was alive to watch this project move a long. He was a tool and die maker.