1/24/2010
:::::::Special Report:::::::

The B17 "Liberty Belle" is once again wintering at Cherokee County Airfield.

It is parked on the same tarmac as last year but on the South side. The aircraft was not accessible for
photographs. A Cherokee County Sherriff's deputy was in his car and guarding the ramp and the Belle.

A new passenger terminal is being finished and a new hangar has been built and completed since I visited last year.

I couldn't get close for pictures. I didn't want to get
 arrested for trespassing. As close as I got was to
sneak up to the front of the building...where the public access limit will likely be.
 I thought about climbing up the dirt embankment by the tail but that would definitely be trespassing.

I'll head back this weekend. Unfortunately the passenger terminal is not complete or open and there isn't any fencing
anywhere to define the boundaries (thus the stationed deputy to guard the aircraft). That pretty means nobody is likely to get
close without being runoff. That aircraft cost over $3 million to restore and as much to maintain each year.

Luft

This was as clear an image as I could get so I found a direct blocked line of sight to the cruiser and snuck up to the side of the building for this shot:
Getting about as close as I can go without the federali's popping a taser in my butt

But it was worth it. Look at that baby!
I'll be back next weekend when the crew is there and try again to get an invite.