B-17 "Champaign Lady" Restoration

Boshek77

Junior Member
What a great project! My Cub Scout leader was the project coordinator on the Shoo Shoo Baby when I was a kid, and we got to watch that build over a long period of time. I crawled all over that plane and was just amazed at the things it had seen. If anyone has a chance to see it pre-restoration, I would recommend it. Keep up the good work!
 

wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
What a great project! My Cub Scout leader was the project coordinator on the Shoo Shoo Baby when I was a kid, and we got to watch that build over a long period of time. I crawled all over that plane and was just amazed at the things it had seen. If anyone has a chance to see it pre-restoration, I would recommend it. Keep up the good work!

My dad took me out of school the day that Shoo Shoo Baby flew into the Air Force Museum.... She is a beaut, and I got to go inside of her a few years after she got there as a kid still... The inside is immaculate, and I think my only complaint would be the paint on the outside they chose... While it's not bad, its that interesting shade of Olive that I think they used to simulate aged Army OD. She will be headed to the Smithsonian soon, and I wondered the cost disassembling her vs the cost of flying her over there.
 

wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
Some updates dad sent from today... You can see the fixture for the cheek gun which was made from scratch.. Also some spar work....
-Adam


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wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
The very first thing I started working on were the seats...that was close to a decade ago now.... since then they have been brushed aside... & we have worked on a few things since. Well I was tired of making ribs for the elevator so I suggested we test fit those seats to see if the mechanics work correctly.... forward and back, and up & down.... We have the pilots seat in, and the copilots seat will get fitted this week...

-witt
 

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wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
So we attempted to put the co-pilot seat in.... lo and behold, the holes didn't line up... We tried lots of different things...no go. So we ended up switching the seats. Even though the measurements told me that wouldn't work, it worked...so both seats are in for the first time. They need a little use I think to get the movements right (up & down & forward & back). Tough to get a shot of the seats, but just took a few anyway...Must need to move my screen protector on the front of the phone...

Threw in a shot of the B-25 as I was walking out... 20150108_192129.jpg 20150108_192508.jpg
 

wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
I have had some health issues for the last 12 months... Finally got it diagnosed as a herniated disk, that is basically crushing the nerves down into my leg... Got my first round of steroid injections today, so I didn't tinker in the airplane... Dad and another volunteer began laying out the rest of the tail for paint... DSC_0007.JPG
 

Balu

Lurker
Staff member
Admin
Moderator
I just stumbled over this video, so I thought I'd bump this thread back up:

 

wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
Sorry Balu, been down with some health problems as of late and have been kinda in and out of the forums... Nothing serious, just a herniated disk, but it is extremely debilitating...

Hopefully will be able to post some photos this week... They are doing some painting on the tail & the insignia...
 

wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
Sorry folks, been away for awhile....

I'll try and get back to more frequent updates! I have been recovering from recent back surgery so it has put a pause to any airplane building!

-witt
 

wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
Also, hanging around the airport has its perks... I got to fly in this a few weeks ago. 1939 Fairchild 24.

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wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
So the last two weeks I have fired up periscope while visiting the airport... Tonight I should be there from 5-7 EST . So look me up on periscope and if there is anything you guys want to see, you can let me know!

search for: adam_drain ... I think... I will have to check that!
 

willsonman

Builder Extraordinare
Mentor
Hopefully I'll be available to follow. Just added you on my following list. I've always wanted to see how you get into the tail gunner's position. Never been inside one before and I've never seen pictures that help me to visualize how it goes.
 

wittpilot

Just Plane Crazy
Hopefully I'll be available to follow. Just added you on my following list. I've always wanted to see how you get into the tail gunner's position. Never been inside one before and I've never seen pictures that help me to visualize how it goes.


Joshua,

That is actually something I could demonstrate pretty easily!!! Even if you are not in the live stream, I will try and remember to do it so you can see it on the replay.
-witt