Warbird Information Exchange

This weekend I had the incredible treat of seeing the collection at the NASM in both the Udvar Hazy facility and the collection downtown. This was a trip that I have waited over 30-years to do since seeing photos of the amazing aircraft from my brother's DC trip when he was in middle school.

Since I flew into Dulles, I went to Udvar Hazy first and what an amazing place that is! My two favorite aircraft on display were the un-restored P-38 and the AWESOME P-61! Seeing these aircraft in weathered, realistic condition really pleased me-- not taking anything away from the restored aircraft, but for some reason these really spoke to me.

The NASM downtown was a real let down after visiting Udvar Hazy. Like others have posted, the displays were tired, dark and dingy. The Hughes racer was so crammed that it was really difficult to soak in it's near-perfect lines.

Anyway, my biggest letdown was the European WWII gallery. I was there to see one of my most favorite aircraft-- FLAK BAIT. I was horrified to see that it was easily accessible and watched person after person touch it. The fuselage has a polished skin where thousands (millions?) of fingers have touched it.

Here is a shot from NASM's website:



The placard describing FLAK BAIT says that it is going to be fully assembled when Udvar Hazy is completed (how about now?) For me, that aircraft cannot get out of NASM and down to Udvar Hazy fast enough!

My question is once FLAK BAIT is reassembled, what are they going to do about the years of paint loss on the nose? Do you touch it up? I know that the restorers can do amazing things (especially after seeing what the P-61 looked like like!) I just hope that they can do the same thing for FLAK BAIT asap!

Rant over.

I am off to Dayton tonight to go to the Air Force Museum tomorrow!

Spriso

I am a volunteer at the NMUSAF, so I will be interested to see a review of the museum. I agree that Flack Bait can not get out of the D.C. museum fast enough. She needs to be placed in one piece NOW!

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I think they need to get all of those WWII planes out of the closet they are in downtown and place them out at Udvar Hazy...

Lynn

I hope the powers that be dont paint her.Part of her allure is the fact the paint is ww2.Some would say she is an eyesore they way she is.I dont think that in the least.They have got to put her back together before another generation has passed.Just the start of the rant.

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Hang The Expense

Agreed. I really hope they don't repaint it.

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Shop the Airplane Bunker At
www.warbirdbunker.com

I hope that they don't paint her either, my question was more in regard to the obvious damage that has occurred from its decades of display...

Maybe we could call that weathering too... It just seemed such a shame to have it positioned so people could damage it so easily.

The leading edge on the spitfire wing was also polished to a shine from people constantly touching it...

It will be amazing to see FLAK BAIT back one piece though!

spriso

Whether she stays with the NASM or the NMUSAF, it is not going to be painted. Trust me.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

What is the source of your statement that NMUSAF may be in line to get the aircraft?

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

THe volunteer meeting last month. Nothing was said except for the statement that the NASM was put on notice that FlakBait was to be put together in one piece. Now notice doesn't mean that the aircraft is going to be moved, but it is a warning that if something doesn't happen, then the museum has the right to move it. The Memphis Belle was placed on notice prior to it's move. When the goals of the museum were not met, it was moved to where it is.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Hot dang boys! That would be fantastic.I hope it does go to the AFM and you can give them the other 26.Hell of a deal IMO.The General hangs the moon.

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Hang The Expense

Mustangdriver,

Flak Bait does not belong to the Air Force Museum or the USAF. She is owned by the National Air and Space Museum. How can the NMUSAF possibly say that the "NASM was put on notice" when they have no say in the matter whatsoever?

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To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

THat is not what was told to us.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Congress approved her transfer from the Army Air Force to the Museum by law in 1946.

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To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htm

We brought her from: to this in 3 months: Help us get her all the way back

All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.

Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

Hey bud, I'm not arguing with you, just saying what was in our meeting. That being said, everyone had 100 reasons why the Belle would never be moved, and it is where it is.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Man, I'd love to see Flak Bait at NMUSAF..but mostly for selfish reasons. Dayton is an easy overnight trip for me (or a day trip if I push it.) I don't really care where she ends up, as long as she's in one peice, and protected from sticky fingers!

I love museums like NMNA that allow close accsess to the aircraft for us shutterbugs and detail freaks, but it's not without cost..not all of us are so respectful. When I was at getting closeups of the Vindicator at P-cola three years ago, I noticed the fabric areas behind the cockpit are already getting dingy from handling. I was there with freinds, and one guy's 13-year-old nephew followed me around all day asking questions..I didn't mind that so much, but I had to constantly tell him to STOP TOUCHING THE AIRCRAFT! He just couldn't resist running his hands over them, rapping his knuckles on them, and trying to move props and control surfaces. I certainly understand the attraction..I'm sure we all feel the same way, but that kind of behavior at Hooters would get you thrown out (and probably arrested and sued!)

As for Flak Bait, I could live with it if they just carefully touched up the areas damaged by visitors, as long as the original paint is left alone. Although I suppose a convincing argument could be made that even those marks are part of her history.

SN