5 B-17's in 3 days.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:06 pm

I am a B-17 freak. SO I had the chance to see as many as I did in 3 days I went for it. Here we go.

The first is a B-17G with the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, OH. The people there are jsut amazing. Very awesome work being done there. The people are what makes it even better. Great museum, and a must for any fans of warbirds. They also have a T-6, B-25, A-26, and a DC-3. My hat is off to those guys.

The second one that I got to see is the B-17E "My Gal Sal" at the Blue Ash Airport. Once again I was met with an amazing greating. The My Gal Sal is going to be a very important part of a new memorial once the facility is built.

The next is the always beautiful B-17G "Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby" I never get tired of looking at it. Even the nose art is a piece of history.

Then is the most famous B-17, the B-17F Memphis Belle

And last but not least the Swoose. It was a great few days...

Nathan · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:13 pm

cool!

My one dream is to see a B-17E fly someday.

richkolasa · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:29 pm

Wow, nice stuff! You should have headed up I-90 to Geneseo and checked in on the other "Memphis Belle"!

Speaking of B-17 fans, my late Cousin Harry passed away last January (who the hell in my life hasn't passed away in the last 3 f'ing years). USS Enterprise veteran (Vietnam). Harry was an avid modeler, and apparently a bit compulsive:

Rest in peace, Cousin.

spookythecat · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:41 pm

richkolasa wrote:

Wow, nice stuff! You should have headed up I-90 to Geneseo and checked in on the other "Memphis Belle"!

Speaking of B-17 fans, my late Cousin Harry passed away last January (who the heck in my life hasn't passed away in the last 3 f'ing years). USS Enterprise veteran (Vietnam). Harry was an avid modeler, and apparently a bit compulsive:

Rest in peace, Cousin.

Let me know if you wanna get rid of any of those, alright?

richkolasa · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:45 pm

Sure, my uncle Mike is working on catalogueing them all for his widow. I counted 31 1/72 B-17Fs (Hasegawa), so I don't think you'd miss out if you wanted anything.

Rich

spookythecat · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 7:49 pm

mustangdriver wrote:

They also have a T-6, B-25, A-26, and a DC-3. My hat is off to those guys.

A-26, eh????

Any pics???

Owen Miller · **Joined:** Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:28 pm **Posts:** 614

My GOODNESS, I envy you Chris!!!!

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:02 pm

spookythecat wrote:

mustangdriver wrote:

They also have a T-6, B-25, A-26, and a DC-3. My hat is off to those guys.

A-26, eh????

Any pics???

For you pal, anything:lol:

spookythecat · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:08 pm

mustangdriver wrote:

spookythecat wrote:

mustangdriver wrote:

They also have a T-6, B-25, A-26, and a DC-3. My hat is off to those guys.

A-26, eh????

Any pics???

For you pal, anything:lol:

Still the coolest plane ever no matter what color they are.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:10 pm

Cool pics, Chris. Too bad you couldn't get up here to Michigan and pay your respects to Yankee Lady.

Are there plans to eventually remove the Belle's current nose art when she's repainted? It certainly isn't the original artwork.

I'd say your cousin was definately a bit compulsive, Rich! I've got some 400 kits in my basement, but only a handful of duplicates, and I don't think more than three of any given kit. Interesting that he didn't seem to have any of the Academy Fortresses.

SN

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:22 pm

Quote:

My one dream is to see a B-17E fly someday.

It would have to be Swamp Ghost or the one in storage out west (is that one owned by Paul Allen?) "My Gal Sal" is being restored as a static display. I toured her a couple of years ago..the owner said they used a lot of non-aviation materials in the rebuild, including pop-rivets with the heads filled in. The plan is to display her gear-up on the ice in a diorama setting..complete with the smashed ball turret, and one prop cut down (the crew sawed off the ends of the blades so they could run the engine and charge the generators so they could radio for help.) The owner had mannequins made with all the crews' likenesses.

Chris, did you find out if they're any closer to getting a hangar built so they can get her assembled?

SN

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:25 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:

Cool pics, Chris. Too bad you couldn't get up here to Michigan and pay your respects to Yankee Lady.

Are there plans to eventually remove the Belle's current nose art when she's repainted? It certainly isn't the original artwork.

I'd say your cousin was definately a bit compulsive, Rich! I've got some 400 kits in my basement, but only a handful of duplicates, and I don't think more than three of any given kit. Interesting that he didn't seem to have any of the Academy Fortresses.

SN

Yeah she will be repainted. The nose art was left on for visitors. The new nose art will be the correct size, style and location.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:26 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:

Quote:

My one dream is to see a B-17E fly someday.

It would have to be Swamp Ghost or the one in storage out west (is that one owned by Paul Allen?) "My Gal Sal" is being restored as a static display. I toured her a couple of years ago..the owner said they used a lot of non-aviation materials in the rebuild, including pop-rivets with the heads filled in. The plan is to display her gear-up on the ice in a diorama setting..complete with the smashed ball turret, and one prop cut down (the crew sawed off the ends of the blades so they could run the engine and charge the generators so they could radio for help.) The owner had mannequins made with all the crews' likenesses.

Chris, did you find out if they're any closer to getting a hangar built so they can get her assembled?

SN

Yeah, it sounds good. THe deal with the airport and the county has been worked out, now they are in the planning stages. It sounds like it is going to be really something to see.

richkolasa · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:44 pm

Is that the B-25 from Carolina that was restored a few years ago?

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:46 pm

THat is it.

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5 B-17's in 3 days.

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