B-3 restoration

[STEVE S.]

I generally flat out refuse to work on these things as they are generally a rotten mess. This one will be in a static museum display so don’t have to worry about someone trying to wear it and destroying it any further.. No, not interested in working on any other original shearlings.

 

[Chandler]

Well, hell -- it sure turned out pretty nice.

 

[Pilot]

Superbly done… can only be done by a real artisan and expert…
Here is our challenge…

I generally flat out refuse to work on these things as they are generally a rotten mess. This one will be in a static museum display so don’t have to worry about someone trying to wear it and destroying it any further.. No, not interested in working on any other original shearlings.


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Great job! wow!
here is our challenge.. we have all ID about the airman and his gear.

 

[Pilot]

Apologies, will put better pics soon

 

[Silver Surfer]

good grief, watta mess. and wow, watta kickass rest job ya did, Steve. I'm afraid that static show is about that can be done with b-3s at this point in time. they have reached a point of no return in terms of wearing,, due to their fragility.

 

[flyincowboy]

Are you going to use a fur machine to sew the parts together?

 

[Pilot]

If asking me…yes of course “foot walking Adler Duerkopp” made in 1935

Are you going to use a fur machine to sew the parts together?

 

[warguy]

Wow Steve, you truly are a magician. i would be sooooo excited if that B3 were mine, going from quite a mess there to a very respectable display piece. Thanks for sharing your art. Kevin

 

[Micawber]

Excellent work.

Quite amazing the rapidity that some of these shearlings have degraded in recent decades.

 

[B-Man2]

…. I’ve got no words …. How the hell does he do it ? Where would you even begin to try and restore something like that hot mess . Nicely done Mr. Sellers , nicely done!

 

[ausreenactor]

I generally flat out refuse to work on these things as they are generally a rotten mess. This one will be in a static museum display so don’t have to worry about someone trying to wear it and destroying it any further.. No, not interested in working on any other original shearlings.


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Was hanger damage the start of it all? Strange it was restricted to the two back panels...

 

[STEVE S.]

Was hanger damage the start of it all? Strange it was restricted to the two back panels...

it was strange, was those two upper back panels & the two narrow side pieces under the arms. Said it was stored in a cedar chest for yrs. so don’t think it was hanger related...

 

[Grant]

What an amazing restoration, Steve. Whoever owns the jacket did the right thing coming to you for the work. BTW, any idea what museum it's going to be exhibited at?

 

[STEVE S.]

What an amazing restoration, Steve. Whoever owns the jacket did the right thing coming to you for the work. BTW, any idea what museum it's going to be exhibited at?

It’s the guy I do the mil contracts for over outside of Nashville. He’s been buying things for decades and finally starting to get things up & running. I’ll see if he can send me some info, web link etc & post.

also have this painted D-1 he sent, but it’s way beyond doing any repairs to. Also a couple others he’s cleaning up & sent a pic of. You can see some of the other stuff in the background..

 

[Grant]

So cool to see original painted D-1's! I wonder if the D-1 with the Flak Hack art was worn by a ground crew that worked on this 390th BG B-17? Thanks for posting the pics!