Early B-17E "Swamp Ghost" Arrives at Planes of Fame

[octane130]

A new temporary addition to the Planes of Fame Museum's, Chino, Calif. display arrived on Dec. 3, 2010. It is the forward fuselage section of the Boeing B-17E "Swamp Ghost" that was recently returned to the USA from it's February 1942 crash site in Papua New Guinea. This aircraft was produced in 1941, arrived in Hawaii just days after the Pearl Harbor attack and then crashed in the swamps of New Guinea just a couple of months later. An interesting and rare look at a very early B-17. Nice!

There is, of course, heavy corrosion throughout, but the bottom-fuselage gray paint is still largely intact as is the aircraft ID stenciling on the left-forward fuselage (see photos). The olive drab (OD) paint on the upper fuselage is almost gone. This historical artifact is just fascinating!

Last edited by octane130 on Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:10 am, edited 2 times in total.

A new temporary addition to the Planes of Fame Museum's, Chino, Calif. display arrived on Dec. 3, 2010. It is the forward fuselage section of the Boeing B-17E "Swamp Ghost" that was recently returned to the USA from it's February 1942 crash site in Papua New Guinea. This aircraft was produced in 1941, arrived in Hawaii just days after the Pearl Harbor attack and then crashed in the swamps of New Guinea just a couple of months later. An interesting and rare look at a very early B-17. Nice!

There is, of course, heavy corrosion throughout, but the bottom-fuselage gray paint is still largely intact as is the aircraft ID stenciling on the left-forward fuselage (see photos). Just fascinating!

VERY interesting....Do you think it will still be there to see in May 2011 at the time of the POF Chino Air Show, or will it have been taken somewhere else by then?

[12XU2A3X3]

she looks great!

[bdk]

It was last seen in the parking lot at Chino, so maybe it has been in a hangar at Chino since the unveiling? Can't believe they would leave it outside at Chino for another 6 months, but then again it has been outside for the last 65 years or so.

[Richard W.]

Wonderful pictures, thank you. I remember first seeing this aircraft when I was a kid reading "Pacific Aircraft Wrecks and Where to Find Them".

"Crew Weight 1200 LBS" ! Those were some skinny guys in those days.

[10tweaker]

Amazing recovery! I have read about the plane for as long as I can remember. What are the plans for it? Thanks for sharing those pictures.

[warbird1]

Amazing recovery! I have read about the plane for as long as I can remember. What are the plans for it? Thanks for sharing those pictures.

Supposedly going to the Pima museum at Tucson for display, until they decide what to do with it. There is a good chance it will be restored to flying condition. Personally, I think the NMUSAF should do a trade with it for one of their other numerous B-17's they own. If they did that, they could have a "royal flush", with a D,E,F,and G model, all on display. This would be the ultimate presentation of the evolution of the most famous bomber of all time!

[10tweaker]

It would be incredible to see the old girl fly again but I'm afraid too much of the airframe would have to be replaced due to corrosion. I think it would be just as impressive if the airframe was stabilized (corrosion-wise and structurally) and put into a "crash diorama" as it was found. Then again, it would be great to see her returned to "like new" condition on static display. The possibilities are endless for this one!

[DryMartini]

If they did that, they could have a "royal flush", with a D,E,F,and G model, all on display. This would be the ultimate presentation of the evolution of the most famous bomber of all time!

Stupid question deleted.
I must be asleep.

Last edited by DryMartini on Sun Dec 05, 2010 5:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[andyman64]

first time i saw this plane was in a magazine that i bought at the bus station when i was a teen called "ghosts of the pacific" that magazine also introduced me to the story of MAAM,s p61 black widow i story that i have followed closely since then!

[ZeamerB17]

Fantastic - thanks for the pics!