The future of one of the 12 remaining B-17 bombers still capable of flight is in doubt. Texas Raiders, a vintage World War II B-17 that is part of the Commemorative Air Force, must vacate its current hangar in Houston at the end of the month, since the hangar owner has opted to terminate the lease. The aircraft is currently in the midst of being renovated so cannot fly, CAF’s Gulf Coast Wing said in a release Nov. 6. It needs a new hangar that is available immediately so that the restoration can be completed. Otherwise, Texas Raiders would have to be partially dismantled and moved to CAF headquarters at Midland, Tex., essentially “nullifying the six years of hard work” by CAF volunteers, according to the release. “We are desperately seeking assistance from an individual or corporation, which will allow this restoration to be completed in a protected environment,” said CAF President Stephan Brown. He continued, “All we need is the space; we’ll do the rest.” The restoration, if allowed to continue undisturbed, is within a nine-month window of completion. CAF said.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
