B-17X?

[Django]

Anyone know the story on this B-17x? (silly question here, I’m sure... )

The tractor looks like a Minneapolis Moline U model, which as far as I know, wasn't available until after the war. (my family farmed with only MM tractors for 50 years)



And check out this funny Rutan inspired B-17 photoshop...

Last edited by Django on Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:59 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Shay]

Vega XB-38

One of my favorites, I wish they had gone into production.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... sp?id=2587



Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[FlyingFortB17]

Built, flew, and crashed in 1942. Beautiful airplane.

[Django]

Well that was easy. Thanks Shay!

It looks very sexy with the Vega mods.

[Tigercat]

A VERY nice looking aircraft----------I sure wish there were a few of those around!

[Shay]

I would love to see 41-2401 replicated using all these Fortress bits and pieces spread around the globe.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Originalboxcar]

From NMUSAF:

The XB-38 was a modification project, done by Lockheed Vega, on the ninth Boeing B-17E (S/N 41-2401) built. Vega proposed in March 1942 to convert a B-17 airframe by replacing the standard Wright R-1820 radial engines with Allison V-1710 "Vee" engines. In July the Air Corps approved the project (AC-28120). In addition to the new engines, the aircraft featured a larger fuel capacity and full-feathering propellers.

The XB-38 project was initiated primarily to try to improve on the overall performance of the basic B-17 and to provide an alternate version in case the Wright R-1820 radial engine became scarce. The Vega Airplane Division of Lockheed received the B-17E and intended to use it as a pattern source for an all new design. Serial number 42-73515 was reserved for this design, but because of the urgency of the project, the B-17E was used and the new design was never completed.

The modifications on the -E model took less than a year to complete and the aircraft made its first flight on May 19, 1943. Initial performance tests showed the aircraft to be slightly faster than the production B-17E. The XB-38 was grounded after a few flights because of a serious problem with leaking engine exhaust manifold joints. After this problem was fixed, the test program continued until June 16, 1943, and the XB-38's ninth test flight. On this flight, the right inboard engine (No. 3) caught fire in flight. The test pilots were unable to put the fire out and bailed out. The resulting crash destroyed the XB-38. All future plans for the XB-38 were dropped because the V-1710 engines were needed for higher priority projects

regards,

t~

[mustangdriver]

Speaking of B-17's has anyone ever seen the G model that is owned by the NASM? It is in storage somewhere, and I would love to know what their plans are. Ther eis some conversation about getting trying to get it loaned to us (here in Pittsburgh) for restoration and display.

[FlyingFortB17]

MustangDriver,

I think I might have a photo of the NASM B-17 on my hardrive. I'll post it if I can find it when I get home from work tonight. I was at the NASM in January and picked up a book in the gift shop about their collection. I remember there being a cool picture of their B-17G flanked by the space shuttle in storage.

[mustangdriver]

Thank you so much. I am really interested in that aircraft. I think it would be great if we can get her out of storage.

[FlyingFortB17]

Well, I could not find the picture on my computer of the NASM B-17G. But I did find one online at www.nasm.si.edu.