HAILSTORM IN DALLAS, TX DAMAGES B-17 & B-24
Control Surfaces Require Replacement; Roswell, NM Visit Cancelled

April 6, 2003 - On the evening of Saturday, April 5th 2003, a storm producing golf ball-sized hail pummeled the Collings Foundation's B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator in Dallas (TX), during a visit of the Wings of Freedom Tour to the Cavanaugh Flight Museum at the Addison Airport. The fabric control surfaces on both aircraft were shredded and the sheet metal and paint also sustained damage.

Because of the damage and the effort to repair and replace the affected parts, the B-17 & B-24 did not attend the scheduled Roswell, NM visit from April 7th through 9th and only the B-17 attended the visits to Tucson, AZ, Mesa, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV. The B-24 repairs kept it in Dallas, TX for the better part of two weeks, but it has now rejoined the B-17 as of the Ramona, CA visit and will continue the tour schedule as published.

Through the generosity of the Lone Star Flight Museum of Galveston, TX and the Commemorative Air Force Gulf Coast Wing in Houston, TX, the Foundation has borrowed some of the required control surfaces for temporary use, until the Foundation's own components can be repaired and replaced. The cosmetic sheet metal and paint repairs do not impact the airworthiness of the aircraft, and will be addressed during the annual maintenance at the end of the year.

The Collings Foundation is already faced with increased insurance and fuel costs to keep the bombers flying and is initiating a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs involved in recovering of the control surfaces, cosmetic restoration and repainting. In the spirit of 'making lemonade out of lemons,' we are offering a limited edition series of framed 8x10 displays, one each for the B-17 and B-24, which includes a framed picture of the aircraft, its individual history, and a swatch of fabric from the plane's control surface. Individual displays can be obtained for a donation of $150 per unit and the pair can be ordered for $275. Any and all support is appreciated to help "keep 'em flying." Individual donations are also appreciated to help defray the cost of the needed repairs.

B-24 Fundraiser Display (B-17 also available)

If you are interested in donating to the fund, or ordering the framed displays, please contact the Collings Foundation at 978-562-9182, mail to P.O. Box 248, Stow, MA 01775, or email info@collingsfoundation.org