Twilight's Last Crucible - B-17 Flying Fortress Canvas | INCLUDES: Skin Fragment

This relic fragment was removed from B-17G-95-DL Flying Fortress, 44-83872, during a port wing spar restoration in 2001. Originally manufactured at the Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Long Beach, CA, it was delivered on July 12, 1945. The aircraft served with the U.S. Navy as a PB-1W until 1955. It became privately owned and appeared at General Curtis LeMay's retirement ceremony in 1965. After many years of restoration, the aircraft donned the livery of the 381st Bombardment Group and would be known as "Texas Raiders." Artist Craig Tinder served as a restorer and Loadmaster on B-17G 44-83872 and personally worked to replace many corroded or replaceable components, fasteners, and aluminum skins. These are among the last pieces remaining of this aircraft and include a mix of Natural Aluminum, Zinc Chromate Yellow, Black, Olive Drab, and Neutral Gray.Wing fragment from B-17 removed during restoration - Relics from these parts are embedded onto "Twilight's Last Crucible" limited edition canvas art Artist Craig Tinder with "Texas Raiders" during an airshow in 2012