SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS!
STEVE HEEB (PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON)
RICHARD BOYENS (HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA)
JOE HALL (OSTERHOLZ-SHARMBECK, GERMANY)
KEITH ELLEFSON (OZARK, ALABAMA)
WAYNE SOMERFIELD (BALMAIN, AUSTRALIA)
ANDREW CATHCART (WOODLANDS, TEXAS)
KEVIN TROTMAN (AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA)
Okay everybody, it is public participation time.
For much of the last year we have been searching for an affordable means of recreating the ALCLAD identification stamps on the B-17’s unpainted interior aluminum. This has not been easy. After all, if we had 15 Grand to spend on an industrial stamping machine, we would be far more inclined to spend it on casts for the ball turret!
Working along, Megan has been able to recreate the lettering of these stamps using some original wreckage. The real difficulty has been in finding a way to apply this lettering to the metal.
In the end, the best solution we have found comes from a company called RIBType. RIBType is a manufacturer of ribbed rubber typeface and have been extremely helpful to us in researching this problem. Through them, we have the opportunity to purchase a pair of handprinters – a machine which prints the lettering as it is rolled across the metal.
A photo from AirCorpsAviation‘s restoration of P-51C Lope’s Hope (42-103585). With your help in purchasing this equipment, Lucky Thirteen will be the first time these markings have ever been restored on an aircraft as large as a B-17!
Because of the awkward size and spacing of these letters, we will have to purchase not one but two of these printers. And, since we are printing on a nonporous surface, this affects the price as well. In total, we need some $1,300 to pay for everything we need to recreate the B-17’s ALCLAD markings.
We realize that, since Ray’s CPA has yet to complete our federal nonprofit status, some of you may hesitate to help. However, if we are to permanently rivet the bombbay together for Lucky Thirteen – and it is ready to go – these markings must be applied first. Your contribution may not be tax-deductible, but it will go straight to where it is needed.
While we have always sought help from our supporters, this is the first time that we have directly sought a financial contribution. This simple device will make a HUGE difference in rebuilding the most high-fidelity B-17F in the world. If this is something you can help with, we urge you to lend a hand. Do not be afraid to make a difference. Please send your contributions through PayPal to store@hangarthirteen.org
Our many thanks to everyone who supports our work!
ALCLAD stamps are traced from the B-17 wreckage onto plastic then scanned into the computer for cleaning. The finished markings are shown below.