I finally was able to visit Mike Kellner's B17e project. There was snow on the ground when I arrived. It was cold but it was worth it.    / rideswithchuck  

B17 Flying Fortress
B17 412595 / The Desert Rat
Deutsch
B17 Bomber Flying Fortress – The Queen Of The Skies 412595 / The Desert Rat
Productionblock:
Boeing B17E: 412393 to 412669

Manufacturer:
Boeing

Bomb Group:
383rd Bomb Group
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History of
B17 412595 / The Desert Rat
Delivered MacDill 28/2/42; 97BG Sarasota 29/3/42; Ogden 7/7/42; 383BG Ainsworth 19/3/43; WrightPatterson Fd 17/8/43, modified in 1944 to XC108A experimental cargo a/c, bomb doors were sealed shut, armament removed, solid hinged nose piece and a large cargo door cut into rear fuselage; this took 19,000 man hours and program halted for others. It was based in India and used for flying material over the Hump and Returned to the USA in 10/44 ending up in pieces on the dump at Dow Fd in Maine. It was virtually complete and eventually sold for scrap to Mike Kellner 1985 at Galt, Ill, for restoration, now complete at Lake Bluff, Marengo, Ill., Destined to fly again. THE DESERT RAT.

Source: Dave Osborne, B17 Fortress Master Log*
Last updated: 3. May 2017