Smithsonial negative No. A-11517, (Beech B-117), Larger image
Manufacture date from FAA records is Feb 20, 1934
Smithsonial negative No. A-11517, (Beech B-117), Larger image
from 1934 Jane's all the World's Aircraft
Large Image Beech photo number B-100
Large Image Beech photo number B-101
Large Image Beech photo number B-102
Large Image Beech photo number B-103
Large Image Beech photo number B-104
Large Image Beech photo number B-109
Large Image Beech photo number B-114
Large Image
Mrs. Charlotte F. Frye of Griffin Georgia
purchased this aircraft Feb 2, 1935 from the factory. She used the aircraft for air racing and carrying air mail.
She was the first woman sworn in by the U. S. Post Office to carry air mail in Gerogia. She survived two force
landings in this aircraft. She sold it on Sept 15, 1942.
A number of oblivious changes had been made to the aircraft when Mrs Frye purchased it. Engine compartment louvers had been added. And the gear doors have been modified to the form used on the production B17L at the time. The "grass cutter door" was rectangular shaped. And the covers for the front gear legs hinged out to the front. This part of the gear door on the production aircraft is attached to the front gear leg.
photo from Joe Haynes
photo from Joe Haynes
photos from Hal Martin
Brochure about the restoration of Serial Number 3 from Dick Perry
Flying, Sept 1983 about the restoration of Serial Number 3
Restoration Photos from Dick Perry
photo from Hub Johnson, Feb 1980
photo from Hub Johnson
EAA Museum,1986 photo from Hub Johnson
