Warbird Information Exchange

I know that the rest of these fuselage and wings are in storage in the NASM, but does anyone have any pics of them?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Better yet, does anyone have post-war pictures of them assembled?

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Hard to find pic's of those birds. A book titled The Aircraft Treasures Of Silver Hill by Walter Boyne has a few of Swoose post war. One shows her in storage at the old Dodge aircraft plant in Park Ridge, Illinois (page 11). The book Final Cut by Scott A. Thompson has a couple of pic's of Swoose in storage (outside) at Andrews AFB in the 1950's...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Someone on WIX posted these pics of Flak Bait awhile back, and I shamelessly stole them..hope the original poster doesn't mind. I would post a link to the original thread, but I'm too lazy to look it up.

I'd love to see FB simply reassembled and displayed as-is, like they've done with the P-38 and P-61 at Udvar-Hazy.

SN

I too would like to see them assembled and un-restored.

How can "Flak Bait" be clean and shiny? It just wouldn't be right.

Here's a few pictures taken of the B-17 Swoose in July 1998.

Dennis

Time capsule!

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http://aircrewbookreview.blogspot.com/

postwar yes, but still in Germany Summer 1945....





Originals in my collection

Martin

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Flying is easy: just learn how to throw yourself at the ground and miss

I agree with you Rogue and Steve, freeze them where they are and note the history of their
condition and changes for posterity, what part of revisionist history
don't people understand? Don't re-re-invent persona
through "restorations". Show 'em with all the warts and blems..

Rather than keeping them in storage until funds become available to "restore" them,
show them assembled as they are so the Vet's can see them, remember them, and share
their history. Put a donation jar, a history plaque in front of them and let public will
take it's course. Use the money to preserve their structure, but don't "cover over" the true
history of the bird with paint and polish.

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

On the unsbustantiated rumor front- when I was at NASM a few weeks ago I think I overheard a tour guide mention that Flak Bait may be heading for reassembly adn display at Udvar Hazy-

If anyone out there has anymore info I would love to hear it.

Steve S

The good thing about Flak Bait (vs Swoose) is that I don't think it sat in long term outdoor storage.

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Nice to see that so many agree with what I said I think Udvar-Hazy is a splendid place to visit, but cannot understand the rationale behind spending so much time and money restoring one-of-a-kind Japanese and German aircraft to put on display when Flak Bait and Swoose mean so much more to the veterans visiting the museum. Flak Bait should be put on display as is. From the pix, it appears that Swoose needs some internal things.

Please DON'T restore or refresh or re-anything on Flak Bait other than to re-assemble her and put her on display in honor of so many brave young men that gave their lives flying planes just like her.

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Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.

Thanks for the photos.

I think advasaries should get equal treatment. I like to see them just as much.
I would think vets would want to see them closer than a couple of hundred yards in front.
Get up close to see what they were shooting and what was shooting back.

I think that the "Swoose" like "Memphis Belle" should possibly be weathered (correctly) being they have to be restored to prevent further corrosion etc.
The just won't look right all dolled up. IMHO

Just returned from the USAFM. A re-visit to those great birds I ddn't see in Jan. This trip was the Restoration Hanger, Presidential Hanger, R&D Hanger, and OPEN COCKPIT NIGHT! Oh...Sorry....Back to the Swoose.
Wes







Metal tanks

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'Tight Lines!"

Wes