Sat Dec 29, 2018 1:21 pm
Sat Dec 29, 2018 6:42 pm
Sat Dec 29, 2018 7:10 pm
Sun Dec 30, 2018 5:23 pm
Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:41 pm
TheBigBadGman wrote:No cover on the Memphis Belle’s tail guns, period photos confirm it. Fairly common practice in F models. Probably for the gun camera mounted back there.
Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:25 pm
Thu Jan 10, 2019 8:39 am
Thu Jan 10, 2019 8:49 am
Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:39 pm
TheBigBadGman wrote:No cover on the Memphis Belle’s tail guns, period photos confirm it. Fairly common practice in F models. Probably for the gun camera mounted back there.
Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:19 am
Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:53 am
So strange seeing it sitting on jacks.... Why not gear down on pylons like Enola Gay?
Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:49 pm
Michel Lemieux wrote:So strange seeing it sitting on jacks.... Why not gear down on pylons like Enola Gay?
That's the first thing I noticed also!
Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:27 pm
Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:32 pm
OD/NG wrote:Michel Lemieux wrote:So strange seeing it sitting on jacks.... Why not gear down on pylons like Enola Gay?
That's the first thing I noticed also!
Just pure speculation here, but it could be one of several possibilities:
1) With the aircraft on jacks, the interior is completely inaccessible without a special ladder or forklift, etc. I know that NMUSAF policy is to usually let Veterans who have an association with specific aircraft to go inside their aircraft. Of course, this is not publically known, but with special NMUSAF Director permission, virtually all Veterans are allowed access to the cockpits/interiors of the aircraft they flew or worked on. By having the aircraft on jacks, this essentially cuts off that access. It could be that the NMUSAF doesn't want to tarnish or wear out the interior with Veterans constantly climbing or traversing the interior.
2) The interior is not finished and/or not fully restored. By having the aicraft on jacks, this denies access to photographers and/or critics from complaining about the interior restoration or lack thereof.
I've never seen any pictures of the fully restored cockpit of the M.B. Can anyone post one? This can either confirm or deny that this was the case pretty easily.
3) They wanted to position the aircraft in a dramatic "pose" that is somewhat unusual and different - an unusual setting for an unusual aircraft.
Anybody know why?
Wed Jan 16, 2019 5:41 pm
TheBigBadGman wrote:Another need right now is Olive Drab no. 3 waxed canvas. Wright-Pat is reproducing for L13 and Belle a particular type of first aid kit, using a piece we have on loan to them. Problem is, we've had trouble locating a modern producer of this fabric. It's a little slick and very stiff, and the color is a bit more tan than your average OD.
If anybody can help with this stuff, let me know as these are some of the Belle's needs at the moment.