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NMUSAF images from last week...

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:06 pm

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More in a second....

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:10 pm

Here's an odd question...what's running down the middle of the front of the front of the canopy here?

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It's the F-102, and I'll be hornswaggled if I could figure it out.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:20 pm

I don't know, but my guess would be something to cut down on reflections on the inside of the windshield. Since it runs right down the centerline, it wouldn't obstruct the pilot's view.

SN

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:22 pm

Restoration hanger, anyone?

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Sgt Quinlan's office window.

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Tour guide and turret restorer Dale points out some theater-repaired battle damage.

Image I've never actually seen that assembly before. 'Course, I've only been inside G-models...

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Flak damage on the aft bulkhead of the radio compartment. He said they found a corresponding entry in the outer fuselage that was patched, and that the fragment probably only missed Lt. Hanson's head by an inch or two if he was at teh radio at the time.

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Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:26 pm

And now the older one...

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Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:30 pm

And some other random images...

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Name scratched on the tail gunner's compartment (exterior) of the Belle...she's covered with them.

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Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:33 pm

When you have a Soviet aircraft built for Iraq, interestingly they default to English for stencilling warnings, instructions, et al.

Apparently, the same joker who does Japanese-English translating was the consultant on this project.

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I don't even know what this means. Call Beavis & Butthead.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:37 pm

Great pics! Looks like your tour guide focused more on the Forts than the lady I had back in January. She saved the B-17s for last, leaving only five or ten minutes for them. I was shooting photos as fast as I could. She didn't even point out the artwork on The Swoose..I had to ask if I could go back and photograph it.

SN

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:43 pm

Thanks! I have a cheat for inside the museum itself that's served me well for years.

I cheated...I asked which of the guides would know the most about the Belle, and they pointed to the guy who was restoring the turrets.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:44 pm

Interestingly, though, he didn't know about My Gal Sal down in Cincinnati. THat surprised me.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:50 pm

fotobass wrote:Here's an odd question...what's running down the middle of the front of the front of the canopy here?

It's the F-102, and I'll be hornswaggled if I could figure it out.


Could be some sort of window heating element...I might be wrong though. Great pictures by the way!!!

Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:52 pm

Fantastic pics! 8)

Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:04 pm

First of all ... great pics ... We spoke briefly in Modern Flight and glad to see that you and your Dad made it to the Restoration.

At the time we spoke, I didn't realize that we had some contact in the past regarding your web site and the Blue Jackets ... Looks like they will make the playoffs and here's wishing you get a chance to shoot some of the games ... This former "Devils" season ticket holder rooting for the Jackets as well ...

Next time you make it to the museum, maybe we can chat for a few minutes.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:16 pm

My dad didn't make the cut, unfortunately. Our names came up, but there was only one space. He'd already made clear to me, since he'd made it twice, that I was going if there was only one spot. I live in Columbus and he lives in St Louis, so he started for home. I was sorry I couldn't share it with him, but he told me to go, so...

And as far as the CBJ, I get LOTS of chances, actually...I'm their #2 team photographer. I shoot about 80% of the home games.

I'll try to time my next trip for a time when you're going to be there.

Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:51 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:I don't know, but my guess would be something to cut down on reflections on the inside of the windshield. Since it runs right down the centerline, it wouldn't obstruct the pilot's view.

SN



Precisely right. Both the F-102 and the F-106 had a thin black screen to cut down the distracting reflections on the inside of the V windscreen as the design was otherwise prone to suffering from them. :)
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