===From AVweb=======
Here's a chance to own a swatch of history and help keep it in the air. On April 5, a hailstorm hit the Dallas-Fort Worth area, damaging two of the Collings Foundation's prized possessions: its B-17 and B-24. The historic bombers were parked outside at the Addison Airport during the unforeseen storm and were significantly damaged by the hail. The foundation reports the fabric-covered ailerons and elevators on both planes were destroyed by the hail and wings were dented. The paint was also damaged on both aircraft. Now, the organization is launching a unique fundraiser to get the aircraft back in top-notch shape. The foundation borrowed some of the required control surfaces for temporary use, compliments of the Lone Star Flight Museum of Galveston, Texas, and the Commemorative Air Force Gulf Coast Wing in Houston, Texas, to keep the aircraft flying until permanent replacements can be found. To help fund the repairs the organization is offering a limited-edition series of framed 8x10s of each aircraft, which include a 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. For more information, visit the Foundation's Web site at
http://www.collingsfoundation.org .
