Houston, Texas - August 22 , 2002 -- A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" World War II Bomber, TEXAS RAIDERS, joins other WWII vintage aircraft in compliance with an FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) to disassemble the wings and inspect potential corrosion in the "wing spar" construction. The directive, issued late in 2001, requires all WWII B17 Bombers, which remain in flying condition, to undergo the inspection.

TEXAS RAIDERS painted in the colors of the 381st Bombardment Group of the US 8th Air Force was built in 1945. It has appeared in the movies Ike, The War Years, Brady’s Escape and the PBS documentary, Honor Squadron . Fewer than a dozen WWII B17 Bombers remain in flyable status today and two based in the US have previously undergone "wing spar" corrosion inspection, grounding those aircraft for nearly a year.

TEXAS RAIDERS is owned by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) headquartered in Midland, Texas and is supported by the Gulf Coast Wing based in Houston, Texas. The inspection expenses are borne by the all-volunteer group overseeing the completion of the AD, and current 2002 totals exceed $100,000. The Gulf Coast Wing seeks donations and public support during this inspection stage. Contributions are tax-deductible. For additional information regarding assistance or donations, please contact the Gulf Coast Wing on the web site...www.gulfcoastwing.org...or toll free at 713-598-2963.