Updates on Swoose and Belle?

[Fouga23]

How is their restoration going?

[Pat Carry]

This is the lastest (Dec 2013) restoration update from the NMUSAF http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/exhibi ... /index.asp Slowly but shirley. (dont call me shirley) I recall they were talking about Nov 2014 for the Belle being finished. I'm not sure if that is still a target date or not.

[hang the expense]

I wonder if they have the correct nose plexi for the belle at this time?Anybody know?

[Pat Carry]

I wonder if they have the correct nose plexi for the belle at this time?Anybody know?

What was wrong with the one that was on the Belle when it came to the museum?

[gemmer]

From way back when the NASM intended to do the Swoose restoration.

Duane

[JohnTerrell]

It will be stunning to one day finally see a "shark-tailed" B-17 again in complete form. Thank you Duane for some interesting reading!

[hang the expense]

I wonder if they have the correct nose plexi for the belle at this time?Anybody know?

What was wrong with the one that was on the Belle when it came to the museum?

The gun ports are way too close together.

[Pogo]

It will be stunning to one day finally see a "shark-tailed" B-17 again in complete form.

Ain't that the truth. I have secret fantasies about one somehow making it to the airshow circuit some day...

[hang the expense]

I would have no problem converting one of the G models into a shark fin bird. Nooooo problem

[Pogo]

Interesting that's even possible. Think it'll ever happen?

[hang the expense]

The conversion could be done.Take an 18" plug out of the fuselage forward of bulkhead 4 and eliminate the production break at 6 and scratch build a new assend,fin and stabs.What a really cool build that would be.Put it on the airshow circuit and watch people just drool.

[maxum96]

.Put it on the airshow circuit and watch people just drool.

You mean the 6 hardcore B-17 aficionados while the other 10,000 people at the airshow couldn't tell you what kind of plane it was let alone the rarity of it?

I'm with guys on the uniqueness a shark tailed B-17 would be. But unfortunately the vast majority of people couldn't care less is it was a A, B, C, D, E, F or G model flying around.

[hang the expense]

There would be a lot more people than you think.

[Kyleb]

The conversion could be done.Take an 18" plug out of the fuselage forward of bulkhead 4 and eliminate the production break at 6 and scratch build a new assend,fin and stabs.What a really cool build that would be.Put it on the airshow circuit and watch people just drool.

Where is bulkhead 4 located? In front of the cockpit?

[hang the expense]

# is right forward of the cockpit and 4 is at the front of the Bombay with 5 at the back of the Bombay 6 is at the trailing edge of the wing.