Ingersoll Rand is donating nearly $15,000 in tools, as well as an air compressor, to support a B-17 rebuild project at the Champaign Air Museum in Urbana, Ohio.
The majority of the parts for the rebuild project are being hand-made from original prints secured from the Library of Congress, according to Ingersoll Rand officials.
Ingersoll Rand salesperson Frank Eastman discovered the project while stopping for lunch at a nearby café and seeing posters about the B-17 project. A glimpse of the airframe when leaving the café brought Eastman to the hangar at Grimes Field (I74), where the rebuild is occurring.
“The group of volunteers in the hangar that day began telling me about the project,” said Eastman. “I quickly realized this would be an opportunity for my company to provide our support to this unique endeavor. As the son of a former World War II Army Air Corp Captain, I felt particularly excited about the opportunity to help with this project.”
Ingersoll Rand’s donations include riveters, drills, grinders and ratchets as well as a reciprocating air compressor, complete with installation and start up kit. The list of products donated was based on the specific needs the B-17 project team discussed with Eastman.
One of the donated tools is an Ingersoll Rand Special Edition 231 Patriot Gun impact tool. Proceeds from the sale of this limited edition tool are donated to Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a program that provides help to all who grieve the death of a loved one in military service to America.
“We are absolutely thrilled by Ingersoll Rand’s donation to our B-17 project,” said Tom Printz, B-17 project manager. “It is through support such as this from businesses and the work of our volunteers performing the rebuild that we are able to continue moving forward to make this a reality.”
For more information: IngersollRandProducts.com or B17Project.com.
