Aviation enthusiasts and local media gathered in hangar ER-7, just outside of William P. Hobby Airport to help save a rare bird – a World War II (WWII) B-17 Bomber.

The B-17G Flying Fortress named Texas Raiders is a member of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and is in danger of being dismantled due to the fact that the owner of the hangar has opted to terminate the lease effective November 30, 2008.

The CAF Gulf Coast Wing is now seeking a facility that is immediately available and able to accommodate this very unique and large bird.

Without hangar space in Houston, the last resort is to transport Texas Raiders to the Commemorative Air Force headquarters in Midland, Texas.

If this occurs, the near-complete bomber will have to be partially dismantled, destroying the six years of hard work and dedication completed by the group of volunteers of the Gulf Coast Wing.

“We are desperately seeking assistance from an individual or corporation, which will allow this restoration to be completed in a protected environment,” said CAF President Stephan Brown. “The CAF Gulf Coast Wing volunteers have spent thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars to return this historic hero of World War II to the skies above Houston. We are hopeful that someone will step forward to help us realize this dream. All we need is the space, we’ll do the rest.”

After a six-year, $500,000 airworthiness directive compliance and corrosion repair process, members of the CAF Gulf Coast Wing have brought the vintage aircraft within a nine-month window of completion.

If the move to Midland occurs, the nine month window will grow into a several year window to get the rare aircraft to fly again along with expenses exceeding tens of thousands of dollars.

Why should you help save this extraordinary aircraft? Well, when you consider that there are nearly 6,000 aircraft flying in the skies at the same time around the world, keep in mind there are only twelve B-17 Bombers left that are still capable of flight and the unique bomber currently staged in one of Houston’s hangars is one of them.