Two B-17s grounded...

That's too bad but frankly I'd rather see them fly into an airshow than fly in one. The less total flight hours the longer they should last.

Hi;

     I speak as a Former member of the C.A.F. and an  antique aircraft owner at the time. Fly in and out for a show. Keep the hours down and they'll last longer. Remember, in many cases the parts they need, have to be made by aftermarket suppliers and ain't cheap!

    At the time I flew, a complete installable engine for my twin Engine plane was over $24,000,00! That was on the truck, not to mention installation and transport fees! That was in the late Seventies early Eighties

I volunteer at NWM in Geneseo, NY.  Movie Memphis Belle is not grounded.  The museum just isn't leasing the aircraft anymore.  The amount they were paying in a monthly lease, and the insurance, along with fuel, oil, parts and upkeep was just getting to expensive.  So they made the decision to discontinue the lease.  I had the honor to work on the aircraft, and take a flight last year with my daughter, she will be missed by all the volunteers. 

I can tell you the cost for a rebuilt P&W 1830 is $75,000. 

You are correct, I misspoke when I said both planes were grounded. Both are still flyable, but not being flown due to financial issues. I still suspect changes in insurance costs following 909 may have tipped the balance.

I worked for a year at Geneseo back in the early 80's When Fuddy Duddy and the Catalina were there. Helped take the bug tanks and spray bars off Fuddy - the smell was so bad you couldn't be inside for long.

WillysMB

You are correct, I misspoke when I said both planes were grounded. Both are still flyable, but not being flown due to financial issues. I still suspect changes in insurance costs following 909 may have tipped the balance.

I worked for a year at Geneseo back in the early 80's When Fuddy Duddy and the Catalina were there. Helped take the bug tanks and spray bars off Fuddy - the smell was so bad you couldn't be inside for long.

 

MMB was very expensive to operate.  I'll be heading out there tomorrow morning.  I've been volunteering for about a year now.  Can't see myself not volunteering.  I've become to attached to Whiskey 7, lol.  In all seriousness I started there about a month after my Mom passed away, and it helped keep me going.  I made a great group of friends to.