Warbird Information Exchange

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are the responsibility of the poster and do not reflect the views of the management.
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:43 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 2:53 am 
Offline
3000+ Post Club
3000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 2:02 am
Posts: 4606
Location: Yucca Valley, CA
From a current eBay listing:
Image
So why the solid or painted-over (except for bombardier's glass) nose and shackles under the belly?
Over to the experts...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1944-USAAF-ATC ... SwI2NdJnG6

P.S. Same seller has a bunch of shots of a/c that passed through there, including the infamous Curtiss C-76 :shock:

_________________
Image
All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:22 am 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!

Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 12:28 pm
Posts: 1157
Indeed and interesting nose- no idea on that.

Regarding the rack, wonder if that is the keel mounted external torpedo rack? Some fitted for service in the Aleutian campaign.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:29 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 11:31 am
Posts: 609
Location: A pool in Palm Springs
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi ... y_1942.jpg

Looks like that to me too. Perhaps the nose which appears “one piece” was a fiberglass part designed to replace the two part plexi as added protection against bird strikes? It would seem to be a hazardous train8ng operation for the crews to be on the water practicing torpedo runs at speed with seagulls being a constant hazard.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:30 am 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:27 am
Posts: 5228
Location: Eastern Washington
My first reaction is a radar test bed.
But more pointed than the P-61 nose.

Using an available (bailed) B-26 (looks like it has a trainer number on it) makes sense.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 9:50 am 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:41 pm
Posts: 1429
Location: North Texas
Appears to be a B-3 or B-4 version, based on the intakes. The nose looks to be purpose built, so maybe a weary bird impressed into a test program..


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:54 pm 
Offline
1000+ Posts!
1000+ Posts!

Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 8:06 pm
Posts: 1656
Location: Baltimore MD
Nice Marauder- don't forget the Dodge Command Car in the background!

_________________
REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 3:43 am 
Offline

Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:56 am
Posts: 843
Torpedo rack underneath..


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:30 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:13 pm
Posts: 364
There appears to be a flat clear view panel underneath the nose, which to me suggests that it is not a radar nose.

_________________
A Little VC10derness - A Tribute to the Vickers VC10 - www.VC10.net


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:50 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:13 am
Posts: 532
To me, it looks like the standard plexi unit that has been painted over, except for the bottom flat portion.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 85 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group