Warbird Information Exchange

What do ya mean "It's starting to get exciting"..... Gary, you have had the excite factor up through the roof on this baby from DAY ONE! I and my crew only got to stay three days.... but we will be back.... THAT'S how exciting it has been! The bomb racks look WAY COOL! Great Job everyone! Alan, Steph, and Butch......

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Just call me Al.

Hey Gary,

When I was hanging that 250 pounder it got me to thinking--could that be the first ordnance ever hung in this airplane?

To all the WIX members, come on out and be a part of the project and you can help turn down the heat on this big ol' pressure cooker!

Scott

Well, if I recall, Consolidated hung practice bombs in the racks of all new bombers and dropped them over the ocean (San Diego factory) to insure that the racks and release mechanisms worked as advertised. So, this airplane probably had them in there, but there's no doubt that this is a huge step forward.

Gary

Looking good! I can't wait to see her on tour!

I notice the racks are farther apart than on a standard B-24. Are they going to be moved to more "stock" locations when the bombay doors are eventually installed? I assume you'll have to remove the "canoe" that was installed in the belly when she was converted to a cargo bird, as well as fabricate the aft bombay bulkhead. That's going to be a major project in itself!


SN

You're right on all accounts.

Gary

Not that many people would know that the bombs racks are a little wider. It would make it easier for girth challenged people to make it thru.

I was concerned about mounting the racks so far outboard when I first took on the job, but Gary explained about the number of people that traversed through the area during tours--I had never even thought about that aspect of it. When the original style keelbeam is installed in the future it will put the racks less than a foot apart at the base if my memory serves, that will definitely be a tight squeeze for most anyone!

Scott

oops

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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That makes B-17's a challenge to put tours through...

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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That would be giving it a "cat scan", right?

(Jeez, I crack myself up)

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Na.
Looks sorta like he's annoyed at having to have his picture taken and
having the flash go off in his eyes.

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Don't touch my junk!!

Be careful Gary, you might get "Cat Scratch Fever"

................oh man that was bad.

Hey Scott! The Bomb racks are a very nice touch. you were right!

Hey Gary, It's been a long time since I've had a minute to contact you, but I plan on coming over on Sunday if I can be of any help. Just let me know. See you later, James

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If I were doing any better, I'd have to be twins.

Steve Nelson wrote:

I notice the racks are farther apart than on a standard B-24. Are they going to be moved to more "stock" locations when the bombay doors are eventually installed? I assume you'll have to remove the "canoe" that was installed in the belly when she was converted to a cargo bird, as well as fabricate the aft bombay bulkhead. That's going to be a major project in itself!



You're right on all accounts.

Gary
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Gary,
Are you going to put in the aft bombay bulkhead now? or is that for later? Also, what goes inbetween the waist gunners area and that bulkhead? Thanks, keep up the good work!