[Fraser]

I saw on the TV a B-17 taxiing in California and the main gear suddently collapsed. Ouch! Sure glad I wasn't riding in the chin turret.

[Texas T]

Did you see the documentary from years ago when they recovered the B-17 from deep under the ice in Greenland? Spent years and beaucoup bucks getting it to the surface and flyable again. On the taxi out to the makeshift runway some flammable liquid caught fire and they weren't able to put it out. They sat on lawn chairs and just watched it burn to cinders. That had to be really sad.

[TheGrinch]

Sure hope it wasn't a "retract the flaps" using the gear handle faux pas. Anyone know what the hyraulic systems on the Bee One Seven are like?

The failed aircraft recovery you are talking about was a B29. An APU fire caused the fire. The problem was the rough taxi causing the APU to shake violently, parting a fuel fitting or wrenching the APU itself off of its mountings. Poor headwork after a long, frustrating recovery.

Grinch

[djewsb]

You are right, it was a B29 that they were trying to get out of Greenland.

I know the old guy that was the flight engineer on that flight when it went down in 1947. It's quite a story when he tells it. His name is Robert Luedke.

Here is a link http://www.b29keebird.net

[40Cal]

Originally posted by djewsb
You are right, it was a B29 that they were trying to get out of Greenland.

I know the old guy that was the flight engineer on that flight when it went down in 1947. It's quite a story when he tells it. His name is Robert Luedke.

Here is a link http://www.b29keebird.net

Thanks for that link! That's a very interesting site.

[M2 Carbine]

I've watched that twice now.

It's heartbreaking seeing that old bird burn after all the work those men did to get it in the air.

[Texas T]

Originally posted by TheGrinch
The failed aircraft recovery you are talking about was a B29.

Mea Culpa... thanks for the correction.

[flyandscuba]

The B-17 with the gear failure was the EAA's "Aluminum Overcast". EAA vows to repair her to fly again.

I had the wonderful opportunity to fly in her from Pensacola to the SERFI fly-in and back last October -- what a treat!

Look here for more information if you want the chance to fly in her when she's back in the air:

http://www.b17.org/

You can see from the photo where I think the best seat in the house was...

[flyandscuba]

Best seat...

[flyandscuba]

Try again... best seat