Warbird Information Exchange

For those you have seen the new paint job on the NMUSAF'S B-57B up close, does it look as awesome as it does here, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123239554. They certainly did another outstanding job there at the restoration shop.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Pat,

Yes it does ... and they also did an outstanding job on the Huey, the Jolly Green Giant and the Caribou ..

I believe the only plane left to come in for the SEA renovation is the A1 Single Seater ... they have started working on it ...

You should come over when the "River Rats" will be here for their reunion .... the first phase of the SEA renovation should be finished in time for their reunion.'

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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

I did a walkthrough of the Vietnam gallery at the NMUSAF yesterday, and the Caribou and B-57 did look great. The colors seemed very authentic, and the lusterless paint on the topside looked great compared to the glossy paint they had been using on some of those aircraft in previous restorations (B-66, B-52D). It is great that they are paying attention to the small details these days. I noticed the B-36 has tail cannon installed now, and it looks like the Minuteman I will be erected shortly, as its base is in place in the missile gallery. Always something good happening over there, glad I live close.

Greg

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Greg Spahr
USAF veteran 1990-1994

Greg,

Just a quick one .. not to change the subject ... were you there when the Reds were signing?

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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

I was not there at that time, I must have just missed it, they were taking the chairs away when I walked through.

Greg

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Greg Spahr
USAF veteran 1990-1994

Nothing against honoring the type's service in SEA, but it would be nice to see one in the 1950s all-black scheme.
Most of the survivors seem to be painted in SEA markings (including a rare A model!) or their final ANG Gray colors.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

I agree the black looks cool. This one is now painted in it's correct markings. The NMUSAF does also have a rare RB-57 that is Black and gray.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... asp?id=388

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

The B-57 on display at Dyess AFB is painted black. 'Looks cool too!

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Had God intended for man to fly behind inline engines, Pratt & Whitney would have made them.

CB

http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/Desrt_Wings.html

We've had this discussion before regarding "What is the mission of the NMUSAF?" and I don't mean to rehash it at length, but it is worthy of mention.

If it's to create a display to celebrate AF history (more than the aircraft themselves), then I would say that the B-57 looks great.

If it's to preserve AF aircraft and their individual history, then I would say that the B-57 repaint was a huge mistake. They took a time capsule airplane (accurate to when it retired) and, by repainting it, have lost the original paint, stencils, etc. The B-57 could have been left as-is and surrounded with excellent photos of how it looked during Vietnam. The bulk of the visiting public would not have cared either way. B-57 vets may or may not care, depending on where/when they served or their own personal views on authenticity.

When an airplane (like Memphis Belle) has deteriorated and requires a full restoration, obviously it gets rebuilt and repainted. When another comes immediately indoors as-is (like the MH-53) it can be kept as a time capsule. The B-57, from what I could see, was fine as it was. The repaint, while expertly done, was an expense in time/money/manpower that could have easily been left alone. I would at least hope that, given today's digital photo capabilities, the airplane was extensively photographed and documented prior to the paint shop.

Rant over.

In more interesting news, let's see how soon that A-1H Skyraider, (in dire need of restoration btw), emerges from the shop ... any of you Daytonians able to gain some insight on whether this bird will be marked as itself or not??

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Ken,
When the museum choses an airframe the history of the airframe is looked into. This B-57 vietnam combat vet was in the museum marked as it last served as an EB-57. The museum wanted the aircraft to appear as it did during it's most significant period which would be combat over Vietnam. That is why it was restored back to it's combat appearance rather than it's post war ANG markings.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Chris,

I will never again underestimate your ability to craft a reply when none was required.

Ken

Ken,
I was just trying to help you understand what the museum's thought process was. I understand it. If it was Flack Bait, then sure ring it to the museum assemble it, and leave it be. But imagine if Flack Bait went on to become a stripped out trainer or a cargo variant with mods on the fuselage, then was donated. Then I can understand wanting to put it back into it's WWII configuration. THe B-57 as it was displayed, while it was nice, was not a time capsule aircraft.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

That was unduly harsh. Chris simply offered some background as to why the repaint occurred in the first place, which I particularly appreciated. Perhaps you may not see any value in anyone responding to your comments, but seeing as how this is a DISCUSSION board rather than a STATEMENT board, I suspect yours might be considered the minority position.

Lynn

Speaking of colours. The B-52D's that I saw in Thailand in '75 had a 'glossy' camo..... [been there got the T-shirt]

I too see nothing wrong with Chris's post!

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Magister Aviation
It's all in my book