Warbird Information Exchange

Went through the restoration building at the NMUSAF. I had a great tour guide who activly works on the top turret and is getting ready to start on the ball turret. As everyone probably know, the Belle is in many pieces. Everything is stripped except for the nose art on one side.













If there are any requests for pictures just for the Belle or anything else in the restoration area just ask.

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When all is said and done more is said than done.

Yes, do you have a picture of the F model nose glass.BTW, what make is the top turret shell? Thanks in advance, Hang

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Hang The Expense

Great pics. She doesn't look too bad after being stripped down.

I'm planning a trip to Dayton and would like to see the Belle. Is it part of the tour or do you have to know someone to get in the restoration area?

Restoration tours (behind the scenes) are held on Fridays only at 12:15 pm and it is the only area where they take reservations in advance.

I strongly suggest you make your reseervations as far in advance as you can.

To register and find out what tours are available, cal 937 255-3286, ext. 302.

There is a information on those tours on the museum website.

And don't forget to allow some time to visit the museum itself.

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Jerry
S/Sgt. - USAF Radio Operator '52-'56
C-119 "Flying Boxcar" - Korea & Japan

Volunteer: National Museum of the US Air Force (2007-2016)
LTM 381st Bomb Group Memorial Association

Thanks a lot for those pics, they are great.

B

I did not see the nose glass anywhere. I do not know the make of the turret shell. All I know is that my tour guide had to heat the plexiglass to mold it into that shape. He finally got it and there were 60 screws to screw it into place. On screw #57 he tightened it one too many twists and it cracked. So the process started all over again.

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When all is said and done more is said than done.

Thanks for the info. Can't wait to see her again!

Is that the original paint on the nose, or has it been repainted before?

It was repainted in the 90's by Phil Starcer who is a relative of Tony Starcer.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Beautiful pics ...thanks for sharing.

Do you know if the ball turret needs any internal components? If so I might be able to help out since I have some spare gearboxes which are left overs from my ball turret project. Just let me know or feel free to pass along my contact info to the guy doing the restoration. My direct email is: jpeters@wctc.net

John

Yes....please take some pics of the ball turret once they start restoration on it. Thanks!

John

Here are some more...

Inside the top turret


Ball Turret




Original Flak damage that will be kept as is

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When all is said and done more is said than done.

Awesome pics...it looks like they are doing a top-knotch job with the turret restorations!!!

John

I'm sure you'll make them look bad, by the time you get done with yours.



Hey!!, Didn't you guys hear?

The Belles' finished and was on display at the air show. Man, that was quick (they must of filmed an episode of "Overhaul'n")




This ones for John



Shay
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Semper Fortis

Thanks for the words of encouragement Shay but I'm afraid they probably have a lot more connections than I do when it comes to acquiring parts.

I was really amazed at the condition of Yankee Lady's ball turret at Oshkosh. Sometimes the turrets on some of these flyers get neglected but not this one. Someone put a lot of TLC into that baby!

John