Sat Dec 29, 2007 11:32 am
I personally think that having bombs in the bomb bay of FIFI looks better. And heck, I just took that hideous cargo pallet out of the rear bomb bay in order to let folks see bombs in there. Putting a fuel tank in would be a bad idea, in my opinion. Besides, the airplane holds dang near 6,000 gallons of fuel as it is. It's hard enough to get shows to pay for the fuel we need, much less saying, "how about a little extra for our tank in the back?"
Just my two cents worth.
Gary
Just my two cents worth.
Gary
Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:10 pm
All of the first 15 Silverplate B-29's had two auxilary fuel tanks installed in the aft bomb bay. This is how Enola Gay (and
Bockscar) was configured for the A-bomb mission. Unfortunately, the original fuel tanks were removed and discarded long ago. I'm sure the Smithsonian would love to get their hands on a set to re-install in Enola Gay...
Bockscar) was configured for the A-bomb mission. Unfortunately, the original fuel tanks were removed and discarded long ago. I'm sure the Smithsonian would love to get their hands on a set to re-install in Enola Gay...
Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:43 pm
Nice save. 
???
Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:50 pm
It's nice to see stuff saved. But, honestly what good it it???
Dragging that big ugly thing around would suck
Bomb bays are for bombs, a cargo rack and a towbar. We have a tail turret for the Rabbit but it never went in the a/c. Besides ruining a get place for photos, it would have required a lot of work inc plumbing hyd lines back there to run it 
Dragging that big ugly thing around would suck
Bomb bays are for bombs, a cargo rack and a towbar. We have a tail turret for the Rabbit but it never went in the a/c. Besides ruining a get place for photos, it would have required a lot of work inc plumbing hyd lines back there to run it
Re: ???
Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:20 pm
Jack Cook wrote:It's nice to see stuff saved. But, honestly what good it it???
Dragging that big ugly thing around would suck
What good is it!?! Maybe not practical on an actively flying aircraft, but historically important to a museum aircraft. These tanks should certainly be saved. Preservation/restoration is more than just a shiny, polished exterior especially when it comes to a museum piece (in my opinion)...
???
Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:39 pm
Preservation/restoration is more than just a shiny, polished exterior
Boy, you don't know us at all. While reading that I had a image in my head of our crew chief chasing someone out the hanger while waving a big wrench in the air and cursing after they'd suggested polishing the airplane
Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:45 am
The tank is a history piece well forgotten by most. It helps to make people understand how we got these bombers overseas to alot of destinations. It also is very easily installed and very usable. Bomb bays are for bombs, but lets not forget everything from fuel tanks, chemical sprayers for the military to the torpedoes they dropped ( B-25's ) from them. It showpieces there versitility in the face of war.
We have had the discussion what to do with it. Trade up for something. Put it into the plane and see if some NUT would fill it up at an airshow, or use it on a custom built dolly to store fuel locally or use it as a drain tank for tank maintenance on the aircraft. We use our bomber like a gas station some days. We have multiple aircraft, and sometimes drain the fuel and fill up another aircraft during times of need or down season where a full plane of gas isnt needed to sit for 3 months.
Lots of possibilities.
P.S. Bell Tail Turret Assy has its own resevoir and hydro motor. No need to pull lines from a/c res. Controller should have all lines, pump and motor inside. If not, I can let you know where to get a complete one. So minimal pluming would be required. I like shooting from the tail too, so Ive devised a way to install the rear optical sight with camlocs to remove it on the fly for photo ops!
We have had the discussion what to do with it. Trade up for something. Put it into the plane and see if some NUT would fill it up at an airshow, or use it on a custom built dolly to store fuel locally or use it as a drain tank for tank maintenance on the aircraft. We use our bomber like a gas station some days. We have multiple aircraft, and sometimes drain the fuel and fill up another aircraft during times of need or down season where a full plane of gas isnt needed to sit for 3 months.
Lots of possibilities.
P.S. Bell Tail Turret Assy has its own resevoir and hydro motor. No need to pull lines from a/c res. Controller should have all lines, pump and motor inside. If not, I can let you know where to get a complete one. So minimal pluming would be required. I like shooting from the tail too, so Ive devised a way to install the rear optical sight with camlocs to remove it on the fly for photo ops!
Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:07 am
But , without saying names, the Challenge Publication individual is the board chairman for the foundation. Hope this helps.
So is Ed still alive? I haven't seen or heard of him for probably 15 years.
Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:08 am
Yes indeed. Actually was with him today for lunch.
Should I tell him anyone specific says hello?
Should I tell him anyone specific says hello?
Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:42 am
Noizeedave,
Sorry I hijacked your thread with those '29 tanks. I thought the ferry tank you saved was a rarer piece than the two we have, I just posted that photo 'cause they were related. At least your tank is able to be made serviceable. Ours are good for static display/restoration, but I wouldn't squirt any avgas in them or hang them in FIFI--they are darned heavy even empty.
On a related note, can you imagine the look on the fueler's face if you pointed at that tank of yours in the '25's bomb bay and told him to top it off!!!!
Scott
Sorry I hijacked your thread with those '29 tanks. I thought the ferry tank you saved was a rarer piece than the two we have, I just posted that photo 'cause they were related. At least your tank is able to be made serviceable. Ours are good for static display/restoration, but I wouldn't squirt any avgas in them or hang them in FIFI--they are darned heavy even empty.
On a related note, can you imagine the look on the fueler's face if you pointed at that tank of yours in the '25's bomb bay and told him to top it off!!!!
Scott