NASM B-17G 44-83814

[APG85]

In another thread this aircraft is referred to as possibly never making it to display. Anyone got the inside scoop on what the long term plan is for this plane? Why would the NASM aquire it just to put it into permanent storage (they have another B-17 afterall)?

[mustangdriver]

That was me that touched on that. The guide at the NASM told me there was no way it was going to be displayed any time soon, and that he would be surprised if it ever did.

[APG85]

That's an unbelievable statement for a guide to make. If thats true, they should donate it to another museum...

[jspott]

Most museums(non-aircraft) have 60 to 80 precent of their collections in in reserve/storage my thought is that the smithsonion heads don't consider storing it a problem.

[DryMartini]

That B-17, an ex-fire bomber, looked to be
in poor shape, and in need of a lot of work.
Maybe that's why he said he doubted that it
would ever be displayed (except maybe as
a pile of Aluminum Oxide)

[ww2John]

Well, nobody ever told me, but I just "assumed" (there's that word again) that they accepted a flying B17 so they could trade it out for something they needed/wanted. It HAS been a while and...?

[aerovin]

It was flown directly into Dulles by, if I recall correctly, Arnold Kolb, the prior owner of the airplane (dba Black Hills Aviation). It was flying then. The NASM doesn't appear to think their B-17D or B-17G are important enough examples of American aviation history to take some care of.

[mustangdriver]

I was really shocked to see the poor state of the Swoose during my last visit.

[C170BDan]

I for one am not concerned that these aircraft will just rot away. Some of their other projects were in VERY sad shape and are now on display! Give them some time! Over time we will see them restored and displayed. Dont think we need to take the word of a tour guide as the final saying in the future of an aircraft under the care of the NASM!

[mustangdriver]

I agree with you for the most part. But the Swoose has been in storage for almost 50 years. It is becoming one of those projects.

[C170BDan]

Would be interesting to sit down with the director and hear if there is a prioritized list of restorations. And, yes... Swoose has been waiting awhile... along with all the captured aircraft that arrived by rail car. So, I am grateful to see them restoring aircraft. Wonder if they will wait for the new shop to be built to work on the Swoose since it is already at Dulles.

I have a pic of the G model in storage. Will scan and post.

[Fouga23]

Before we get another restored G model, It's time we restore some of the rare variants like the D E and F. Swoose definatly deserves to be restored. The faster, the better!

[Shay]

Which Flying Fortress did the NMUSAF have on display prior to Shoo Shoo Baby arrival?

There is a popular black and white picture of it being towed backwards over the bridge in front of Huffman dam when the museum was moving into their new build at Wright Field. Anybody seen it?

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Jerry O'Neill]

Shay;
THe Museum had a DB-17 Drone Controller and it is now in Dover, Del, at the Air Mobility Command Museum.
Jerry

[Pat Carry]

It's my understanding no work will be preformed on the Swoose until the new restoration facility at Udvar Hazy is built and that I'm told is many years off. Too bad.