B-17D "Alexander the Swoose" in 1982

Sat Mar 04, 2006 5:04 pm

I have been digitizing some old slides of mine, and I've got a few that I wanted to share with the board.

These were taken at the Silver Hill, MD, restoration facilty in the Spring of 1982. I don't recall if our guide explained why it was outdoors. Moving it, perhaps?

I've got others that I can post later. -Rich

Sat Mar 04, 2006 6:16 pm

Thank you so much for sharing. These are the first pictures I have ever seen of this B-17. I have been hearing about it for a long tiime, and always wondered what it looked like. It seems strange seeing an early style B-17. These are the first "modern" pics of one I have seen.

Thanks!

Sat Mar 04, 2006 6:38 pm

You're very welcome.

It's kind of bittersweet for me to go through the slides. My father took me to Silver Hill, and looking at these pictures makes me think of him. He took me to many museums and airshows when I was a boy. Lost him six years ago.

I presume the Swoose looks about the same today. That's OK with me. I know the NASM will do a great job when they get around to her.

Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:05 pm

"When they get around to her" is the key! Its already been too long and it could be a very long time before work starts on this very significant airframe.

Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:04 pm

WOW.

Thanks for posting those pictures; they are great! You should contact Scott about putting those in the registry. The few pictures I've seen of that aircraft do not compare at all to your shots. If you choose of course. :wink:

Tim

Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:50 am

It must have been outside temporarily. I saw the Swoose in that time frame and it was inside next to the Enola Gay.
It's time to put it on display regardless of it's condition. Just assemble it and put it in the Hazy center. When time and $ permit, remove it from display and begin the restoration. I've said this before, "store them on display"!!!!! Just my opinion.......

Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:22 pm

Richard W. wrote: I know the NASM will do a great job when they get around to her.

I hope to see it in my lifetime! (I'm 50).
I've mentioned this before but I don't see why the Japanese sublaunched floatplane (an interesting oddity, but only that since it never did see action) was put in the restoration line ahead of a genuine combat veteran designed, built, flown (and paid for) by Americans.

Website · Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:53 pm

Hi guys

correct me if I'm wrong but isn't an early series machine like this being rebuilt somewhere in the US` or is that just a very early "Fat" fuselage version - can't remember where but there were heaps of progress pics on the Web a while ago and then shots of it travelling a long distance - Alzimers is a real curse !!! At least I meet new friends every day and can hide my own easter eggs
Regards
John P

Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:24 am

setter wrote:Hi guys

correct me if I'm wrong but isn't an early series machine like this being rebuilt somewhere in the US...Regards
John P

If there is, it's news to me.

There's a new B-17 project in Urbana, Ohio..a long term one in Illinios, and one in Georgia, along with the "Memphis Belle" at the NMUSAF.

For the latest in B-17 news, check out Scott Thompson's excellent page at: http://www.aerovintage.com/b17news.htm