Visit to Lone Star Flight Museum - Galveston, Texas

[skymstr02]

I didn't ask about the status of the AT-11 but the website shows it: F/DISPLAY, I assume it can fly.

I don't think that the aircraft status is kept up to date on a regular basis on the web site.

[67Cougar]

Great pics, thanks. Those folks have worked their tails off getting the place back into shape!

[Django]

Wow, they HAVE been busy. Looks great! Good for them.

[ronl]

67N20,

Thanks for the additional pictures. If you are going back and have a chance to take some detailed pictures of the tail turret, I would really apppreciate it. I think it is missing the case and link deflection chute (a half pie shaped chute) that is mounted under the guns. The chute deflected the cases and links overboard. I will post a picture later that illustrates what I am referring to. Detailed pictures of the turrets that are on display would also be appreciated. I think the blue turret is a light weight SAC-7 tail turret that was developed late in the war for the B-24 and PB4Y-2.

I would really like to get down there and see that bird someday.

Thanks again.

Ron

[lmritger]

Great photos! So, when do they expect to have the TB-58 ready for the airshow circuit? I'll happily drive to Tejas to see that fly.

Yeah, I know it's static only, but a guy can dream, right?

Lynn

[Dave Lindauer]

The musem looks great! Nicely photographed, too.

I'm curious -- Have any changes been made to the facility or equipment to help minimize the impact of flood damage were there to be a similar storm at some point in the future? (Heaven forbid.)

[ronl]

67N20

Here is a picture of the MPC 250CH tail turret on the B-24M at the Castle Air Museum. According to the Museum, it was actually delivered as a PB4Y-1 to the Navy. The Navy MPC tail turrets did not have the fairings/blisters which enclosed the guns as did many of the AAF B-24s. The fairings/blisters were designed to reduce drag when these turrets were used in the nose, but not sure why the AAF retained them when used in the tail.

The half pie shaped ejection chute can be seen under the gun carriage. It deflected the links and cases out of the turret. The PB4Y-2 would have used this type of turret. I can only assume that the PB4Y restorers possibly do not have these chutes to install on the turret.

I look forward to seeing any additonal turret pictures you might be able to take in the future.

Thanks.

Ron

[img][/imghttp://s1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff494/roncl18/?action=view&current=b-24mtailturretsm2.jpg]

[ronl]

I'll try this again.

[Bomberboy]

Remember doing some work on this one many moons ago.
Also met and stayed with the late great Gene Girman, who apart from flying back to the US in Thunderbird in 87, was on board the wartime Thunderbird as Radio man on the very day depicted on the Keith Ferris / John Clark (both of whom I also had the pleasure of meeting), 75 foot Smithonian mural.

Bomberboy

[N3Njeff]

Two stearmans I see but what about the N3N?????? Let me guess They swept it into the dumpster?

[Pogo]

As I understand it, I can upload pictures directly to WIX since I volunteer a subscription (which Scott has made super easy to do, just check out the Support/Donate link at the top of this page), so here I'll give it a try. Normally I upload to Photobucket or whatever first, then..... well, never mind. You want LSFM PB4Y turret photos? Here ya go....

1. Tail turret from inside.
2. Top turrets in stands, and what I suppose to be a spare tail turret.
3. Top turret closeup with tail turret in background.

Attachments

[Pogo]

Here are some waist turret pics....

1. From outside.
2. From inside.
3. From inside.

Attachments

[Pogo]

Bonus pics -- the nose turret. This one is the pacifist model, no guns.

Attachments

[Speedy]

Man, that Privateer is making me purr....I cannot WAIT to see that puppy fly someday. Woof!

And I second the comment about the B-58. I'm not sure Houston Hobby has enough runway to let it takeoff, though.

But what gets me is the second picture in the thread....isn't that one of the 'machines' off the old Nut Tree poster?????

[ronl]

Kurt/Pogo,

Thanks for posting the awesome pictures. Much appreciated. Any further pictures of the tail turret will be appreciated.

Thanks again.

Ron