WIX Archives
Re: B-17 wingsparbolts, what's the effect on
Posted by Merlin on Thu Oct 24, 2002 01:48:14 PM
In reply top Re: B-17 wingsparbolts, what's the effect on posted by Ryan Harris on Thu Oct 24, 2002 11:44:15 AM
The AD note effects ALL B-17F & B-17G's, Not just firebombers. I just talked to someone with Texas Raiders over the weekend, and it seems as if they will have to replace the spars due to cracks they found. So, they might be down at least another year :-(.
There are two alternatives to satisfy the AD
note, one is an inspection every three years done by pulling some spar bolts, bore scoping, and ultrasound. The first method you can leave the wings, engines, etc. on the plane. The second method is a one time inspection/repair, in which you have to pull the wings off.
Nine-0-Nine, Texas Raiders, and Memphis Belle, have chosen the one time inspection/fix. I heard that Yankee Lady chose to do the three year inspection. So they will have to pull bolts again in two years... I'm not sure as to the others.
: I know for a fact that Raiders is being worked on right no
: w and she will be a long time, Nine O' Nine has had the wo
: rk done, so has Miss Angela, Journey, and then like you sa
: id Memphis Belle is being worked on.
:
: I would assume that Yankee Lady and Aluminum Overcast woul
: d not have a problem with this due to the fact that they a
: re relatively new restorations.