The Swoose is heading to the Air Force Museum

[bluethunder28]

I don't care what color she should be in, I just want to see her!!!!!!!

[Second Air Force]

My choice would be to restore the aircraft as General Brett's personal airplane since it is currently thus configured. I realize this means natural metal finish and that may be a daunting task to achieve. This airplane had such a varied life that it would be hard to choose any single timeframe to duplicate. Restoration to combat configuration from those early days of the war would be appropriate, but then she wouldn't be The Swoose! The name came about after her combat service, as I recall.

Regardless, I look forward to seeing her brought back to life, so-to-speak.

Scott

[Mike]

That already exists and is on the airshow circuit.

But I thought that was the real one. Very confusing.

[mustangdriver]

That already exists and is on the airshow circuit.

But I thought that was the real one. Very confusing.

I know you joke, but there are many, many people that don't know any better. As a matter in fact Liberty Belle is here at KAGC this weekend, and several of my co-workers said, hey isn't that the Memphis Belle?

[Pat Carry]

Chris, To your knowledge has this news been confirmed by the people there at the NMUSAF?

[Glen]

Great New's !! Now what about Flak Bait ? and the other other B-17 that is sitting in storage ?

[mustangdriver]

Chris, To your knowledge has this news been confirmed by the people there at the NMUSAF?

I heard from a very top source that this was true about the B-17. I did not hear about the details such as ownership or anything like that. I also have not heard anything outside of hangar talk about Flackbait, although I wish it were true.

[groundpounder]

great news!! how much of the plane is missing?? i personally would like to see an aircraft this rich in history and with so many stories to be told regarding her,preserved with some attention to cleaning her up and stabilizing any serious deterioration. i like what they are doing with the belle ,but how much of the plane is going to be the REAL DEAL when all is said and done?? I am afraid that if the swoose is "restored"then a geat deal of the actual aircraft would end up being replaced.

Of course when the planes are restored they will virtually last forever, as long as they are maintained. with a preservation, it will only be a matter of time until some serious work will have to be done to keep the swoose in one piece and viewable. i would lean towards the preservation of the swoose if she is structurally solid enough to last for many more years. That being said, some degree of restoration will probably be inevitable. I think that aircraft such as flack bait and strawberry bitch are the REAL DEAL and it would be nice to see at least one more join that club. SWAMP GHOST is another one of that caliber that comes to mind. Any new info on that fiasco???

[6trn4brn]

Gotta agree with bluethunder on that one...get her on display asap. IIRC, the fellas there at the NMUSAF had pulled the B-50 inside and put her on display until they had the time to pay her some attention. Would be very cool to put together what they have (or will have) of Swoose and just put her on display until they get around to paying her some real attention...not keep her locked-up and outta site like the NASM has for so many years IF they get Flak Bait, do the same. Put her back together and put her on display for the purists like me to drool over for a while...then make her all purty when they have the time.

How's that Chris? Can ya take that sign off the front door now and tell them it is OK to let me in now? I promise I will take a double dose of my medication before I come in this time...won't say anything to anybody about the Belle

[mustangdriver]

You are always welcome bud. I really can not comment that much on the Swoose because I don't know her real condition. I can tell you that I did talk about Flakbait and it was said that IF it would come to Dayton that it would be preserved and assembled(not restored to factory fresh) but left in it's weathered look. Which I feel is the right move. But I really have not heard anything official saying that we are getting the B-26. The Belle is going to be as original as she can be. Keep in mind that ALL of her original WWII paint was long gone. IT was removed long ago in Memphis. There is a little work going on in the belly near the ball turret that might require new metal. Other than that on the outside, it will be all original. Now the interior was basically gutted in Memphis, so inside she will be complete, but mostly replacement parts. There are some parts left that are original inside that will go back in. Combat scars are being preserved and not restored such as patches from flack damage. If the Swoose is able to be just put back together that might happen. I am not sure that is an option.

[hang the expense]

I will start making the bathtub now! The swoose was also a Pearl during the attack I think and then to theP.I. Its early war history is alot more important to me than its transport days.The heck with the flame suit,bring it on.

[APG85]

Does this mean Shoo Shoo Baby is going to the NASM as a trade?

[mustangdriver]

Nope, she is staying where she is.

[hang the expense]

Hey mustang,So the G madel is staying put?WOW.Man that is going to be one hell of a collection for sure.Just need swampghost and You guys will have 2 each for the pacific and ETO.

[mustangdriver]

We recently had a discussion about it and here is what was told to us. While there will be three B-17's at the Museum, each one tells a different story in time. Swoose, tells the story of pre-war, and the early stages of war including Pearl harbor. The Memphis Belle was in the heart of the early stages of the air war over Europe. The Shoo Shoo baby flew it's miisions when the German air forces had been beaten back a good bit. So they all tell a different part of history.