Illinois man has spent 40 years rebuilding a WWII-era B-17 bomber in his barn
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Mike Kellner began his journey in high school after hearing that a junkyard in Maine was looking to offload the abandoned remains of the historic bomber. The asking price was '$7,000 or best offer' for a collection of disassembled parts. Kellner loaded the 75-foot aluminum behemoth onto a house trailer (he had to extend it by about 10 feet) and hauled it halfway across the country with a pickup truck. It's lived in his barn ever since. Kellner shared the decades-long story of his restoration project with local outlet WGN earlier this week.
https://www.facebook.com/12595DesertRat/posts/pfbid0wouv4Ub8rdiygV7qWAYfVZ7eokM34F3eYp7xXa28X64CkxG37d2DPgpJhR747kBTl
And unlike many World War II-era roadside relics, this one isn't just collecting dust. Kellner has spent countless hours working to restore the plane to its former glory, performing his own repairs, adding finishing touches, and tracking down an array of rare and hard-to-find parts. Word of his efforts spread, attracting other aviation enthusiasts who have volunteered their time over the years to assist with the restoration. Kellner documents the entire process on a Facebook page, which features thousands of update posts dating back to 2010. He doesn't just want the project to be something pretty to look at—he wants it to fly.
'It is a piece of history, and I would like the opportunity to fly it,' Kellner told WGN. Popular Science reached out to Kellner for more details but has not heard back.
The B-17 was the most iconic bomber used by the US military during the second World War. Its origin actually traces back a decade earlier to 1934, when the Army Air Corps approached Boeing with an ask to design and develop a massive plane capable of carrying bombs at 10,000 feet and for more than 10 hours. The military wanted a new breed of bomber that would be able to travel beyond enemy lines at great distances and drop bombs with precision. It needed to be able to reach altitudes high enough to fly outside of the range of enemy antiaircraft artillery. The eventual B-17 featured a state-of-the-art Norden bombsight to maintain accuracy even at extreme altitudes.
https://www.facebook.com/12595DesertRat/photos/a.1627360203990949/1627360530657583/?type=3
Early versions of the B-17 entered production in 1937, but manufacturing ramped up significantly after the U.S. officially entered World War II in 1941. The bomber that eventually flew missions behind enemy lines featured four engines—a major upgrade from the then-standard two—and was equipped with a smattering of gun turrets, including ones in the nose, upper fuselage, and tail. This cornucopia of munitions, combined with the aircraft's mammoth size, earned it the nickname 'Flying Fortress.'
The B-17 currently being resurrected in Kellner's barn reportedly carries two names. One, 'Desert Rat,' is painted in bold yellow lettering on the aircraft's exterior. The other, 'Tangerine,' was discovered later, scrawled somewhere inside the fuselage.It's unclear how much longer Kellner will need to make his dream of flying the Desert Rat a reality. The task seems like a daunting one for someone working part-time on a shoestring budget but then again, few would have likely predicted he would have made it this far to begin with. You can keep up with all of Kellner's progress by following his official Facebook page here.
https://www.facebook.com/mike.marchese.79/posts/pfbid02brB9Umk9n7i4YB3yJQsCr6ZTjZTLsogSkbwengCjFCHEbPWKqGrrH6jyFzdx5Tc3l
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Business News
8 hours ago
- Time Business News
Chic, Bold, and Timeless: Women's Fashion Accessories Line Launching Soon
Get ready to elevate your style game! The countdown has begun for the launch of a fashion revolution that promises to redefine elegance and confidence. Introducing our exclusive women's accessories line, where chic meets bold in a celebration of timeless beauty. Whether you're dressing up for an evening out or adding flair to your everyday look, our carefully curated collection is designed for trendsetters who dare to stand out. From statement jewelry that sparkles with personality to versatile handbags that blend functionality and flair, each piece tells a story of empowerment and individuality. Join us on this exciting journey as we unveil the ultimate accessories destined to become staples in every modern woman's wardrobe! Stay tuned, you won't want to miss it! Our brand is inspired by the modern woman who exudes confidence, sophistication, and a unique sense of style. We believe that fashion is an extension of one's personality and should be embraced as a form of self-expression. Our target audience includes women 25 and above who are fashion-forward, independent, and unafraid to make a statement. They are trendsetters who appreciate quality, versatility, and timelessness in their women's fashion accessories. Our brand aims to cater to women of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, celebrating diversity and inclusivity in fashion. Our women's brand collection features a range of accessories crafted with premium materials and intricate designs. From bold statement necklaces and earrings to delicate bracelets and rings, our jewelry pieces are designed to add that perfect touch of glamour to any outfit. Our handbag collection includes tote bags, crossbody bags, and clutches in a variety of sizes and styles. Each bag is crafted with attention to detail and functionality, making them the perfect companions for any occasion. We have also created a line of scarves and hats to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any look. Our scarves come in a variety of prints and fabrics, while our hats are designed to be both stylish and practical. As we count down to our launch date, we have planned a series of promotional activities to build excitement and anticipation for our brand. Here are some of the activities that you can look forward to: Social Media Teasers: In the weeks leading up to our launch, we will be sharing sneak peeks and teasers of our collection on our social media platforms. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to get a first look at our products and stay updated on our launch. Influencer Collaborations: We have partnered with popular fashion influencers to showcase our collection and give their followers a chance to win exclusive products before our launch. Keep an eye out for our collaborations and follow the influencers for a chance to win! Giveaways: We will be hosting giveaways on our social media platforms, where you can win some of our products before they are officially released. Make sure to follow us and participate in our giveaways for a chance to win. Pre -Order Discounts: For our loyal followers and early birds, we will be offering exclusive pre-order discounts on our website. This is your chance to get your hands on our products before anyone else and at a discounted price. Launch Event: We will be hosting a launch event in select cities, where you can get a first look at our collection and enjoy exclusive discounts and promotions. This will be a great opportunity to meet the team behind the brand and network with other fashion enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more details on our launch event. We are incredibly excited to share our brand and collection with the world! Our team has put in a lot of effort and dedication to bring you high-quality and stylish accessories that we hope will become a staple in your wardrobe. Follow us on our social media platforms and join us on this journey as we launch our brand and celebrate the power of self-expression through fashion. Thank you for your support, and we can't wait for you to experience our collection. See you at the launch! TIME BUSINESS NEWS


Time Magazine
8 hours ago
- Time Magazine
When the Group Chat Becomes the Friendship Group
A couple of weeks ago, my friend wrote a message in our group chat, announcing that he's moving to Newcastle—somewhere I love but rarely go. The initial flicker of excitement to visit the North East of England again was quickly countered by a pang of sadness. We barely see each other now, in London, so what's going to change when he's 300 miles away? Around the same time, in a different group, my friend who already lives in Islamabad shared news of a new job. Another posted pictures of his one-year-old son, who I still haven't met. Moments like these remind me that life keeps moving forward, even when we're not around to witness it. I talk to my closest friends every day. It's not always direct. Sometimes, it's just reading their messages, reacting with an emoji, or book-ending a meme bonanza with 'haha.' But it is every day. Group chats—I've got three what I'd call 'core' collections of friends—feel alive. They're like hallways we all pass through, but we hardly ever hang out. The late nights playing video games, watching films, or musing which carnivores we could possibly beat in a fight, have been replaced by jobs, families, and lots of other adult responsibilities. The ease of friendship—that unthinking, ambient closeness you only get when you're young, broke, and within walking distance of each other—dilutes as you grow up. Now, any get-together must be booked weeks or even months in advance. And there's usually one dropout. Could we do mid-to-late September? How's your 2026 looking? The logistical overheads of adult life mean that even the people I feel closest to exist mostly as bubbles on a screen. Read More: How to Make Friends As an Adult—At Every Life Stage We like to tell ourselves that the group chat is a lifeline—that it keeps people loosely tethered as geography and circumstance try to cut the cord. You can drop in, send a birthday message, share a Facebook memory (if you still have Facebook), or photo dump at semi-regular intervals to create the illusion of presence. It looks like friendship, when really, it's thinner. But because it's the default now, we don't admit the group chat has its flaws. One may be that it isn't a substitute for in-person connections, especially at a time when loneliness has been declared a 'global public health concern'. Another is that group chats can feel draining. In one study of 1,000 American adults, 66% of respondents said they felt overwhelmed by their messages, while 42% said that keeping up with them can feel like a part-time job. It's also true that not everyone uses a group chat in the same way. For some, WhatsApp is just a glorified calendar. For others, it's a therapist's couch. Some people only speak in memes and reels. Some will never say anything but randomly 'like' a comment from a month ago. So it's hard, maybe impossible, to create a group chat that can meet everyone's emotional needs. Yet we keep expecting it to. We rely on it like a Swiss Army knife for adult friendship: an all-in-one tool for intimacy, vulnerability, humour and support. There are also some things which are simply too hard to say in a group chat. A redundancy, a break-up, or a bereavement are not easy to drop in. None of this is to necessarily disparage technology. Group chats can be fun and useful. They're just not enough on their own. True friendships ask us to be there for each other in ways that aren't always convenient; to say things that don't come with a reaction button; to risk showing up, even if we feel out of sync. It's hard. My own WhatsApp behavior is not perfect. I've missed important moments. I've left messages sitting unread for days because I was too tired, too busy, or just didn't know what to say. And I've felt that same sting from others. It's not too late to recalibrate, though. A group chat can be just one part of friendships. Bring back one-on-one phone calls. Don't let meet-ups become memories. Carve out time, as much as you can, to see friends. Just do it and to hell with the cost of a train or plane ticket. The people I love most still live in my phone. But I'm trying—perhaps imperfectly and clumsily—to invite them out of it now and then, to move beyond the placeholder. We need to remember that friendship, like any living thing, needs air and attention.


Boston Globe
12 hours ago
- Boston Globe
‘How can this be happening?' The coincidence that put my family trauma in a new light.
Frankly, I was happy to put Boston behind me. My childhood was miserable, filled with trauma. I never wanted to return to this place, except perhaps for holidays or funerals. Or so I thought. I had received a job offer from The Boston Globe, a paper I long idolized, and just had to take it. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up The Facebook invite was from Kellie, a person who wasn't quite a friend in high school. But we got along — I recall we danced a bit on stage when we performed in our high school musical. 'Who would you like to invite?' Kellie asked. Good question. I didn't really keep in touch with anyone. But I was Facebook friends with several people like Kellie, classmates who were friendly acquaintances but people I never spent time with outside of school. When you're a kid and struggling, you think you're the only one who's struggling. Trauma is not something people easily speak about, especially in high school where the number one goal is conformity. You sit in a classroom and stare at the other kids and wonder what it might be like to be normal. So, it was shocking to see them at the cookout now as adults, stumbling through life just as I was. Not everyone I invited could make it. A few weeks later, I received a Facebook message from someone I'll call Madeline for the purposes of this story. 'Hey Tom, sorry I missed your welcome back party! I was away. Wondering if you would like to come have dinner sometime. ... I live in Watertown with my husband and kids. I think you'd like my husband. He's nice.' 'Sure,' I replied. 'That's nice of you. What's your address?' Her response froze me. For several seconds, I stared blankly at the number and street name. No. That's not possible. Good and bad reality My parents emigrated from China to Boston in the 1950s. They started a laundry business before Dad went to work for New England Telephone Company. He would sit on a bench and assemble parts into landline telephones. Like many Chinese families, they wanted desperately to have a son, which proved difficult for them. By the time I was born in 1977, Dad was already 49 years old and father to four daughters. No one would ever mistake us for the Brady Bunch. Dad was an angry, abusive man who frequently unleashed his verbal and physical wrath on his wife and daughters. He never laid a hand on me, though he was psychologically abusive. Mom suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. She could be loving and caring in one moment and then suddenly attack me with a ruler or Wiffle ball bat for the tiniest of infractions. She heard voices and insisted that the neighbors were using a machine to monitor our thoughts. My eldest sister, whom I'll call Susan, started to lose her grip on reality in her late teens and was also diagnosed with schizophrenia. She would chase me throughout the house with a pair of scissors, threatening to castrate me. She would frequently try to climb into bed with me. I coped with the chaos the same way many trauma victims deal with such things: I buried it deep inside me. I started to compartmentalize reality. There was the 'good reality,' the one where I hung out with friends, crushed on a girl, acted in high school plays, and wrote for the town newspaper. The world in which I exercised a degree of control and provided my life with some measure of hope and meaning. And then there was the 'bad reality' of the horror and fear that I endured at home. The reality that still terrifies me. I vowed to keep these realities apart. Not just out of self-preservation but also out of fear that my bad reality would somehow pollute or 'infect' my good reality. That's why I rarely spoke about my parents or siblings or why I freaked out when someone I knew saw me in public with them. No, these two realities must never meet. 'What else was I missing?' After high school, I went to college and tried not to look back. Over the next 25 years, I lived and worked in New York, Seattle, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Ann Arbor, and San Francisco. One of my sisters died from cancer in 2003, and Dad passed away three years ago. Both times, I kept my distance, though before my dad died I did return home once to help my parents move into a more senior-friendly house located just down the road from my childhood home in Watertown. Susan's life had rapidly deteriorated. She could no longer hold a job or live on her own. So she moved back in with my parents in their new home. Unfortunately, Susan's schizophrenia started to mirror Mom's. Susan thought the neighbors were out to get her. She accused them of trying to break into the house and prank-calling us. She convinced my mom to change phone numbers and to install a home alarm system. She even called the police on the neighbors. Yet my view on Susan gradually softened. Thanks to some difficult therapy and introspection, I began to see Susan as less of a monster who terrorized me and more of a human who was also a victim of my father's abuse. Once, when our sister was dying from cancer, Susan sent her a note that read: 'I'm sorry that you're sick. I would help you but as you know I'm not feeling really well myself.' The note stunned me. I didn't know Susan was even capable of such compassion, such clarity of thought. She had gotten so bad that I had doubted she could even read and write anymore. What else was I missing? What would have happened if Susan hadn't been abused? If she had received the care and treatment she needed? What kind of big sister would she have been? Would we even be pals? My thoughts were racing. I started to process everything by writing about mental health and familial abuse on social media. 'Over the years, I came to accept she had an awful illness and was also physically and sexually abused,' I wrote on Facebook on Oct. 16, 2022. 'I'm also sorry that she suffered so much in her life and that her sickness produced so much collateral damage.' My posts found a wide and compassionate audience. 'The fact that you came to understand how sick she was shows how you've grown in your awareness and understanding,' one friend wrote. 'It does not make your pain any less. But you are managing.' Said another: 'We grow through our painful experiences, but also through the experiences of others willing to share.' The things that bind us together When people learned I was returning to the Boston area, they assumed the reason was family. 'No,' I said. 'I'm here for the job. That's all.' That wasn't quite true. I wondered how Boston would look to me as a middle-aged man rather than as an angry, emotionally volatile 17-year-old. The dinner invitation from Madeline came as a surprise. For one thing, I was shocked that she had moved back to Watertown. Madeline, her older sister, and I had performed in the same high school plays. In fact, I had a major crush on her sister. That was a major part of the 'good reality' that I so desperately tried to protect from the 'bad.' And later, Madeline had tried to pursue a career in acting. She attended theater schools and auditioned for movie and television roles. I imagined her in New York or Los Angeles maybe. But yet here she was, married and raising a family in Watertown. But until I received her dinner invite, I didn't know exactly where. As it turned out, Madeline lives right next door to Mom and Susan. Could it be that Madeline and her family were the same neighbors my sister fixated on? The people she called the cops on? During the dinner, I tried to read Madeline and her husband, whom I'll call Greg, for some clues about whether she knew that my mom and sister lived next door. But they gave no indication of that. I started to think it wasn't them. I decided to find out. 'Hey, this is pretty weird,' I said. 'But did you know you live next door to my mom and sister?' Greg's face changed color. Madeline stopped eating. Silence. OMG. They were the neighbors. No, they didn't know it was my family. And yes, my sister called the cops on them. Three times. She accused them of racism. The cops had taken Susan's complaints seriously. Each time the police arrived they brought some kind of crisis interventionist/social worker to teach Madeline and Greg how not to be racist. 'I am not racist!' Madeline insisted to me. No matter how hard Madeline and Greg tried to convince Susan, she heard something different. 'First of all, I am so sorry," I said, mortified. 'Secondly, it's better that you do not say anything to her. No matter your intentions. She is just very sick.' 'I know,' Madeline said. 'At first, we were very upset. But then I started to read the social media posts of this guy I knew, who wrote on Facebook about mental illness and his family. He taught me compassion toward people who were struggling like this.' Who was this guy? 'You,' Madeline said. The world grew exponentially smaller. Let me get this straight: Madeline, an acquaintance with whom I had not spoken in 30 years, read my social media posts about mental health, which allowed her to better understand the actions of her ill neighbor, who turned out to be my sister . So in a sense, I was paying it forward to myself when I wrote those posts. To this day, I wrestle with what happened. I don't believe in coincidences. Everything has a reason. What was I supposed to take from all of this? I concluded that I had been mistaken to draw a distinction between 'good' and 'bad' reality. There is just reality. We view our lives holistically if we want to heal. We have to confront past trauma and reconcile it with our present and future. The bad stuff in my life occurred simultaneously with the good stuff. It's true that my sister chased me with scissors. It's equally true that I happily performed plays with Madeline and her sister. And somehow the universe saw fit to remind us that life can be filled with mysterious little coincidences that seem unrelated but ultimately bind us together. The question is whether you want to see the big picture.