B-17 Thunderbird - Added one more pic!

[Paul Krumrei]

Pictures I took in 2002? @ Offutt AFB in Nebraska.






ADDED This one too!

Last edited by Paul Krumrei on Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

I can't put my finger on why, but of all of the flying B-17's this is my favorite one.

[ww2John]

Could it perhaps be the "non-standard" nose installed when in post-war French duty?
Ain't no other B17 with that nose that I know of...

[FlyingFortB17]

It's one of my favorites too. A think it is unique due to the intact upper turret, its old school "stinger" type tail position, and the rather odd configuration of the nose. I wish all Forts had a restored top turret in them. Install some armor plate behind the cockpit seats (all are missing them) and you'll be ready for a combat mission.

[mazdaP5]

stinger, and it's green. A lot of forts are unpainted, or silver.

[K5DH]

stinger, and it's green. A lot of forts are unpainted, or silver.

Yeah, and you wouldn't believe how much work it is to keep that bare aluminum finish looking shiny. But, when it's all polished up and lookin' good, there ain't nothing else that will compare! (and yes, I know they didn't look like that during the war)

Cheers, beers, and happy New Years!

[Steve S]

I would like to say thanks for the kind words on behalf of the volunteers and staff that work to keep her in shape- it is truly a team effort and all are welcome to come out and help. I can honestly say that during the almost 10 years that I have been involved with Lone Star I have had some of the most rewarding experiences of my life and made some great friends. I think that the overall commitment of everyoen at the musuem is really a key factor in keeping this and all of the airplanes in such great shape.

Don't forget that if you are ever in the Galveston TX area you can now purchase a ride on her as well as the B25 Special Delivery, the new (to the museum) Stearman and hopefully in the upcoming months a T6.

BTW- It still take a lot of work to keep her clean and looking good even with the Green Paint-

Keep Em Flying
STeve S

[a4gturn]

looks like it could have just returned from a mission. I'm with you guys, shiny is nice but looking real is the way I like 'em....

[F3V]

Could it perhaps be the "non-standard" nose installed when in post-war French duty?
Ain't no other B17 with that nose that I know of...

yes that's it! but "the Pink Lady" had the same windows and le Bourget Air Museum Fortress too, this windows came from French IGN service

There is a post war photograph (1947 or 1948 in USA) of Thunderbird here: http://www.b-17-flying-fortress.fr/apres/F-BEEC.html

And there is two photographs of the installation of cameras on B-17 for IGN service here: http://www.b-17-flying-fortress.fr/apres/F-BGSO.html
sold 13750 dollars to french IGN awesome!

[dred]

Just curious - I googled some sort of text fragment that seemed to suggest Thunderbird was retrofitted back to the stinger turret from a Cheyenne (it would have had a stinger from the factory, right?), but when I clicked on it all I got was a pic of Sentimental Journey's nose. So, is this fragment correct; i.e., is Thunderbird on its 3rd tail turret?

Thanks!

[Tillerman]

F-BEEA had the same IGN nose:

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=150845

Sadly she crashed and burned during the making of the Memphis Belle film.

Tillerman.

[FlyingFortB17]

Yes, Thunderbird originally had a Cheyanne turret. Here it is taking off for the U.S.

[mustangdriver]

I like the way it looks now much better

[F3V]

This cheyenne Turret came from IGN service

[n5151ts]

I can't put my finger on why, but of all of the flying B-17's this is my favorite one.

go figure!