New Member

[Skammers]

Building A B17 concept Tear

[PaulC]

Hi Skammer, Welcome aboard. I guess, seeings how you joined way back in November 2006, that you've been a little shy
Can you tell me what a B17 TD is going to look like. Coming from the Land Downunder, I'm a little slow on American nomenclature

Cheers
Paul

[sdtripper2]

Paul:

Think he means B17 airplane as in his take on the signature look alike of
how the air crews painted decals on their planes in WWII.

[Skammers]

Well, I decided that I wanted to build a Teardrop some time back, then I found the sketch of the B17 (as in Boeing B17 Flying Fortress of WW2). Being an aviation profesional and DYI type, I started to contemplate how to build it. As you can see, I built a small work area and a large table to get started. Finding oversize plywood here in Alaska was not an option, so I laminated the sides to be able to make the profile I needed.

[Duane King]

Just checked out your album. What a nifty idea for a teardrop. I like that high cockpit window near the front. I assume that is a skylight, correct?
What is the overall height of the design. You mentioned making oversized plywood. Is this for the length you need? Or did you expand the height as well?

[Skammers]

What you see is 10ft long and 5ft tall, there is a nose cowl that goes on the front, the nose cowl will slide forward and provide a space for the electrical panel, spare tire and aluminum 30 lb propane tank. Batteries, water tank etc will go aft of the axle. I plan to place a cockpit window on the side and in the front window area as you would see on an aircraft. The front window will be moved forward some to give it some angle.

[angib]

I don't think Shrug, who made that B17 drawing two or three years ago, visits here very often so I've left a message for him on his website - I'm sure he'd be pleased to see his idea being used.

Andrew

[steve wolverton]

I always thought it would be cool to have two tables attached to the sides directly behind to the doors to look like wings.

[madjack]

...very...VERY cool...it'll be fun watching this one come together ............................

[Ira]

How do you do this fender, per your album:



Is it done in wood and then skinned with something else? Or another material?

[Skammers]

One of two ways, build a mold with wood and foam. This might be useful if you were planning on building more then one set of fenders. I am leaning in this direction. It would be nice to have an original mold.

The second method would be to lay up the fender in place with foam and glass.

The wheels will be 15in. half inside and half outside the walls so the fenders will be somewhat narrower then some.

This build will be covered with a layer of glass to seal it up, no metal covering. I plan to router the edges with a large router bit to give it some smooth round edges. Spray a light texture and then paint.

[Podunkfla]

Skammers... Looks like a great design to build. I too am glad to see you building that interesting retro design a lot of us have admired. This will be fun build to watch... post lots of pix!

[Skammers]

Thanks for the encouragement, it has some interesting features and details I hope to bring out. It’s taken a while to really plan this out. Keeping with the airplane thyme will be fun when implementing the details

[doug hodder]

Skammers...go dude go!!! I have also given some thought to a B-17 themed tear as dad was a navigator in the 8th Air Force....name it after his plane...I think it's a great idea and will certainly bring lots of looks....especially with some great "nose art" Doug

[Skammers]

I was thinking of using the nose art from my Huey from Nam but then an authentic Air Force B17 nose art would be more appropriate.