Just a few sample pics of the B-17G 44-83790 Dyke Lake project from my personal archives documenting the B-17s I have had the good fortune to see in person. The group had a ball turret, top turret, throttle quadrant and tail section on display during the 2010 “Gathering of Fortresses” spectacular at Willow Run Airport near Detroit. I hope to see this project in a much more finished state sometime soon.
B-17G 44-83790 Dyke Lake project
Willow Run airfield; Detroit 2010
After the tragedy of the B-17 Liberty Belle, nearly lost completely to fire after having safely landed and all crew and passengers had been unloaded, the Liberty Foundation turned their attention from the Dyke Lake project to focus on rebuilding Liberty Belle for a return to flight. I had an opportunity to cross the country to see where the work is being done in Douglas, Georgia.
As a special treat, Don Brooks met me at the airfield and gave me a personal tour of their fantastic little museum dedicated to the 63rd Army Air Forces Contract Pilot School that was established there just two months before the Pearl Harbor attack. In the hangar where work is being done, the Liberty Belle dominated the available space, understandably, and it was difficult to capture what parts were dedicated to postponed rebuilding of 44-83790. The walls were lined with corrugated metal for the wings and other parts, as well as shelves of materiel and templates and jigs. However, Don said much of the Dyke Lake plane was boxed up and safely stored for the time being while they focus on getting Liberty Belle finished.
Therefore, most of my photos from my 2024 visit are of Liberty Belle, and the Dyke Lake project remains a “partial” on my list of Fortresses, as it has been since I first saw their display at Willow Run 14 years earlier.
Dyke Lake project
Douglas, Georgia 2024
Top Turret from Dyke Lake project
This turret from the Dyke Lake Project is being displayed at the Robins AFB museum.