I’ve included some photos that I took while doing the restoration of Liberty Belle at the Flying Tiger Warbird Museum in Kissimmee. Hopefully they’ll give you an idea of how she was constructed and hence restored.
The first picture show the starboard wing and the fuel tanks prior to being installed.
The second picture shows the number 1 engine turbocharger (top of the photo) , the #2 engine turbocharger (at the bottom of the white rope) and the location where the fuel tank was to be mounted.. Note the access panel down by where the #2 turbocharger is located. From the photos posted showing the flames while she was airborne - they may have been coming from that panel location. FYI the turbochargers were not used as she didn’t fly at altitudes where they were needed, however they were connected to the exhaust system.
The next photo shows engine 2 located next to the fuselage and how it’s exhaust is routed back in the wing.
The last photo illustrated the many fluid lines that go between the fuselage and the starboard wing.- the port wing looks the same.
Her loss leaves a void with us, but at least we had many hours of appreciating a a piece of American history.
She was flown by an excellent flight crew and her support personal should be thanked for the may hours that they took in bringing to the public an important piece of American History.
Use this link to see photos
http://suncoastwings.com/LB/Photos.htm
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Didn't have any idea what was going on until I got off the plane. I knew something as wrong, but the Hospers' and crew did a great job of getting everyone off in a safe and calm manner.
