The B-17D "Swoose" now has her 'bathtub' in place!

[the330thbg]

AWESOME!!

[Edward Sheetmetalhands]

Very nice!

I wonder if there is a plan in place to replace the skin panel with the Swoose artwork so it could be displayed/preserved alongside the Swoose painted in its combat configuration?

[JBoyle]

I wonder if there is a plan in place to replace the skin panel with the Swoose artwork so it could be displayed/preserved alongside the Swoose painted in its combat configuration?

Judging by the photos in FlyPast, the answer is yes.

[mustangdriver]

The last I had heard the museum planned to restore the aircraft to a point that it would be OD over gray, carry the Swoose artwork, and retain most of it's bomber configuration. I don't believe the Swoose art work currently on the aircraft is the original. I think it was repainted while sitting outside.

[Pogo]

Always a thrill to hear about that particular bird, THANKS for the update!!

[John Dupre]

The last I had heard the museum planned to restore the aircraft to a point that it would be OD over gray, carry the Swoose artwork, and retain most of it's bomber configuration. I don't believe the Swoose art work currently on the aircraft is the original. I think it was repainted while sitting outside.

I think that is probably the best compromise. The airplane will look like a bomber more than a transport and will be the Swoose. I actually opened the crew door and looked inside during a tour of the Garber Facility and was surprised by how extensive the executive interior was. (Honest, that door hinge was already broken!) I wonder if they will get Swoozy Kurtz to come to the dedication?

[hahnej]

That is really cool. Gary would be all over that. Laying in the tub with the guns slid out, making machine gun noises....

[Blackwing]

Gary would be all over that. Laying in the tub with the guns slid out, making machine gun noises....

This mental image made me laugh out loud. I can see him now...acka..acka..acka......

[JBoyle]

In the war my dad was a member of the 463rd BG, known as the "Swoose Group".
His A-2 jacket has a patch on it showing a bird with a B-17 tail.
In the packet we found a news paper clipping from the late 40s aboutthe Swoose being flown to Andrews for eventual Smithsonian display...
also a typed checklist stapled between two sheets of thin plastic...the stapes are long since rusted.

Wonder if the jacket is historic enough that the NMUSAF or some other museum would want it?

[APG85]

In the packet we found a news paper clipping from the late 40s aboutthe Swoose being flown to Andrews for eventual Smithsonian display...
also a typed checklist stapled between two sheets of thin plastic...the stapes are long since rusted.

Wonder if the jacket is historic enough that the NMUSAF or some other museum would want it?

Can you scan and post the article so we can read it...sounds interesting!

The museum might be very interested in that jacket. Try e-mailing them...

[gemmer]

The last I had heard the museum planned to restore the aircraft to a point that it would be OD over gray, carry the Swoose artwork, and retain most of it's bomber configuration. I don't believe the Swoose art work currently on the aircraft is the original. I think it was repainted while sitting outside.

I think that is probably the best compromise. The airplane will look like a bomber more than a transport and will be the Swoose. I actually opened the crew door and looked inside during a tour of the Garber Facility and was surprised by how extensive the executive interior was. (Honest, that door hinge was already broken!) I wonder if they will get Swoozy Kurtz to come to the dedication?

The problem with the Swoose restoration has always been what to do with the exterior, and coming up with some kind of compromise. My understanding is that the existing skin's condition precludes a natural metal finsh as Ole Betsy. The paint finish was a hurry up field job probably done at Del Monte and was most likely two tone on the upper surfaces without a primer coat. I don't think the undersides were ever grey. This should not be confused with the depot finish applied to some A/C prior to deployment to the Phillippines. A neat OD/ grey finish such as that certainly wouldn't represent 3097 at any stage of her life but may be the only option. The artwork is not the original having been repainted in 1944.

Duane

[the330thbg]

Came across some 'Swoose' photos. Any of these you do not already have?












I can send you them in an email if you would like.

Last edited by the330thbg on Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:53 am, edited 2 times in total.

[whistlingdeath77]

thats a great article

[res6kgcr]

Hi the330thbg

For sure I have not seen most of your photos. Is it possible to post them individually?

Photos from the early fighting in the Far East are as rare as “Swoose” teeth.

Best regards,

Tom Michel

[the330thbg]

Hi the330thbg

For sure I have not seen most of your photos. Is it possible to post them individually?

Photos from the early fighting in the Far East are as rare as “Swoose” teeth.

Best regards,

Tom Michel

Tom,

Did you receive the photos?