StangStung wrote:
The original bits are only original once.
The problem is the Swoose hasn't been original in 80 years. 
To make it "original" it needs to be a bomber as it left the factory.
That term "it's only original once" started with the antique car crowd, as a way of saying some artifacts should not be restored, in other words don't replace old but serviceable paint or interior To make it perfect.
So if we take that term at it common definition, with a much modified aircraft like the Swoose, there isn't much factory original left, so that ship sailed long ago.
So if we mean that it means to be kept in its 1942-spec. That's fine, but that is not original, original (if you get my meaning).
Post delivery service use modified "original" yes, but not original in the strict sense of the word.
I can see where they are coming from, the major history of the Swoose is as a transport.
The problem comes with the fact that it is pretty much the world's only chance to have a STOCK early model B-17 on display.The fact is that airframe achieved a measure of period fame as a transpirt. Yeah, and I guess several VIPs flew in it.
Does that trump the need/desire to have a representative of the model of B-17s that initially saw combat?
I have a hunch the powers that be figured it would be easier to keep its passenger mods than return it to a combat configuration.
Personally, I'm good either way.
My only issue is it is too bad it wasn't done when some WWII vets who flew or serviced it could have appreciated it.
You're misconstruing me. By original, I did not mean "as it left the factory." As I understand it, it was pretty much parked after the war and that was that. So it is more or less as it was during a significant part of its history (we can argue if that is more or less significant than its combat history). In any case, that is a unique thing. There is but one Swoose. It is a unique airframe with a unique history and as it sits is mostly as it was. This is not a non-combat airframe that went straight from the factory to storage in AZ, then on to be a firebomber before being re-dressed as a combat aircraft.
In short, if you did something other to it rather than conserve it as Swoose, in the last configuration in which it was used, you'd kinda be erasing Swoose and replacing it with some modern version of something...different. Kind of like if you took the P-38 or P-61 at NASM and decided, "these are too old and weather beaten, we should restore them to look like some famous ace flew them." That would be a tragedy.
In any case, looks like we'll have some time to discuss considering the potential time line of the restoration.
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