restorations at the NMUSAF?

[67N20]

I hear the Belle will still go into WWII and Shoo Shoo go to Washington. There is a specific date in mind when the Belle will be rolled out and into the Museum. Unfortunately, I'm having another "senior moment" and can't remember what I was told other than it has something to do with the Belle itself.

Probably shouldn't have even written this since it is adding concrete info. I'll be at the Museum tomorro AM for a shift and perhaps I can find out.

Thinking back ... how about May 17, 2018 the 75th Anniversary of Mission 25?

Our guide gave us the same timeframe when we went thru.

[mustangdriver]

Also near the front was a Stearman (or something close) that our guide said was going to be painted in a Tuskegee scheme.

I hear tell that this is a very bad decision regarding this particular airframe.

Nope

[Scooby]

The last of the original paint
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Actually even this artwork is not original, it was a post war repaint

[Steve Nelson]

The current nose art dates from her 1980s. The Belle received several coats of paint during her decades on outdoor display. When the first serious restoration effort was made in the early 80s, she was stripped back to bare metal and repainted. I think the nose art was done by a descendant of the original artist, who wasn't nearly as skilled. It'll be removed when the plane is prepped for her final repaint.

SN

[cooper9411]

At least some of the Belles parts will be original!

[DH82EH]

At least some of the Belles parts will be original!

[JimH]

it was Starcer's son

[mustangdriver]

The nose art was done by Phil Starcer who is Tony's nephew.

[APG85]

I thought the re-produced nose art looked pretty accurate myself...

[Jerry O'Neill]

I thought it was done by Tony Starcer, but age may be tainting that memory. If the nose art wasn't done by the original artist, then why save it? Original is only original once. I get the family connection, but it wasn't Tony.

[APG85]

I suspect they have just left it on for "identity purposes" for the sake of the tour groups that pass through the restoration shop. Just a guess...

[Steve Nelson]

That's exactly what I've been told while touring the shop. We spent the afternoon at the NMUSAF yesterday..one of the docents told me that due to AF budget cuts there's little if any restoration work going on at all right now.

They did have the overhead flourescent lights turned on in the WWII gallery for some reason..you could actually see and even photograph the planes for a change!


SN

[Pat Carry]

Maybe with the way the pace of restorations has stepped up at the NASM, the Swoose should go back there. It will be the better part of 15 years before the Swoose is done. I guess I will never see it completed. Darn!

[Pat Carry]

That's exactly what I've been told while touring the shop. We spent the afternoon at the NMUSAF yesterday..one of the docents told me that due to AF budget cuts there's little if any restoration work going on at all right now.

They did have the overhead flourescent lights turned on in the WWII gallery for some reason..you could actually see and even photograph the planes for a change!


SN

the lighting at the museum is pretty poor.

[JimH]

really? no budget for restorations? then maybe they should nix the new building and finish what they have.

Jim