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PBJ A2A

Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:46 pm

Image
One of the best PBJ shots I've seen!

Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:20 pm

New from factory!

I noticed the camera window just behind the bomb bay, do any of the restored B-25s flying now have this window installed?

Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:30 pm

Heavenly Body, 44-30748 has Camera and Window installed

Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:20 pm

IIRC, "How Boot That" has one.

??

Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:28 pm

That's for a strike camera.....correct??

Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:33 pm

yup
Image

Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:56 pm

Briefing Time has the window installed but we don't have the camera mounted in there.

Greg Witmer
Mid Atlantic Air Museum
WWII Weekend Airboss and Aircraft Coordinator

Fri Dec 05, 2008 6:41 pm

Curtis Block wrote:IIRC, "How Boot That" has one.


I could have sworn I posted in this thread the other day and asked if it has flown recently.
Queue "Twilight Zone" music!

Rich

Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:55 pm

Unfortunately I couldn't tell you if it has flown recently. I'd be curious to know that as well.

Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:06 pm

richkolasa wrote:
Curtis Block wrote:IIRC, "How Boot That" has one.


I could have sworn I posted in this thread the other day and asked if it has flown recently.
Queue "Twilight Zone" music!

Rich


Curtis Block wrote: Unfortunately I couldn't tell you if it has flown recently. I'd be curious to know that as well.


"How Boot That" has not flown in the last 10 years.

A decision was made after it had been restored, and shown to the public as an authentic flyable restoration, that it should be kept safely, in pristine condition, as an historical artifact available for viewing by current and future generations.

That decision was made for a variety of reasons:

1) There are other example of the B-25 "family" of bombers that can be seen on the airshow circuit in flyble condition, so the absence of "How Boot That" on the airshow circuit is not "depriving" the public of the opportunity to see a B-25 in the air.

2) Due to its fully documented and authenticated combat service in Europe in WWII, "How Boot That" is an historically significant aircraft.

3) The quality of the restoration, and the completeness of the equipment fitted to the aircraft, definately make it the "Crown Jewel" of the Cavanaugh Flight Museum collection.

4) The nose art itself is very significant, in that it is the exact nose art the aircraft carried in WWII, reproduced, as part of the restoration, by the same "artist" that painted the original nose art in 1944. Flying the aircraft to/from airshows would endanger that artwork through just normal wear and tear, let alone any unforseen weather damage. Replacing that nose art would now be impossible.

It would be great to see the aircraft fly again, and I am a great advocate for keeping them in flying condition, but with all the things that could/might cause any damage to the aircraft, its contents or its artwork, by flying it around the country, in this case, my preference for retaining history for future generations takes precedence.

Julian

Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:48 pm

Great shot of the PBJ and the camera detail is pretty cool also .............

Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:35 am

Who said you never see two fixed .50s with a flex .50 in the nose? There you have it.

Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:50 pm

needle wrote:
richkolasa wrote:
Curtis Block wrote:IIRC, "How Boot That" has one.


I could have sworn I posted in this thread the other day and asked if it has flown recently.
Queue "Twilight Zone" music!

Rich


Curtis Block wrote: Unfortunately I couldn't tell you if it has flown recently. I'd be curious to know that as well.


"How Boot That" has not flown in the last 10 years.

A decision was made after it had been restored, and shown to the public as an authentic flyable restoration, that it should be kept safely, in pristine condition, as an historical artifact available for viewing by current and future generations.

That decision was made for a variety of reasons:

1) There are other example of the B-25 "family" of bombers that can be seen on the airshow circuit in flyble condition, so the absence of "How Boot That" on the airshow circuit is not "depriving" the public of the opportunity to see a B-25 in the air.

2) Due to its fully documented and authenticated combat service in Europe in WWII, "How Boot That" is an historically significant aircraft.

3) The quality of the restoration, and the completeness of the equipment fitted to the aircraft, definately make it the "Crown Jewel" of the Cavanaugh Flight Museum collection.

4) The nose art itself is very significant, in that it is the exact nose art the aircraft carried in WWII, reproduced, as part of the restoration, by the same "artist" that painted the original nose art in 1944. Flying the aircraft to/from airshows would endanger that artwork through just normal wear and tear, let alone any unforseen weather damage. Replacing that nose art would now be impossible.

It would be great to see the aircraft fly again, and I am a great advocate for keeping them in flying condition, but with all the things that could/might cause any damage to the aircraft, its contents or its artwork, by flying it around the country, in this case, my preference for retaining history for future generations takes precedence.

Julian


I'm sorry, I don't agree with this. No disrespect to the artist whatsoever, but a whole lot more people would see it at airshows, and appreciate it. If God forbid a natural disaster like a tornado were to destroy a valuable artifact like this that could have been visiting airshows, you're left with nothing.

I see this as the aviation equivalent of the "prevent defense" in football. If I win a lottery, invest in the next Google, and become the next Mark Cuban or Tom Blair, things will change! :)

Rich

PS- an asteroid is gonna wipe out life on earth someday anyway, it's just a matter of time. Fly 'em while you got 'em!
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