In Pictures: Imperial War Museum Flying Fortress wheeled out through the fire escape

This week saw Imperial War Museum Duxford begin the next stage of the painstaking restoration of its B-17 Flying Fortress, Mary Alice.

But first the Conservation Team undertook the equally meticulous process of rolling the B-17 out of the American Air Museum and into Hangar 5: Conservation in Action where the extensive conservation work will begin.

Having been dismantled in situ in the American Air Museum (including the removal of the propellers, engines and wings) the aircraft fuselage was brought out through the fire exit before making its careful way across the Tarmac.

The conservation work, which will include remedial anti-corrosion work and a repaint, is expected to take up to 16 months to complete.