Flak Bait- Tourist Bait???

[RyanShort1]

I'm personally not in favor of Flak Bait flying either.

Ryan

[rreis]

After reading Mikesh book I thought the NASM *never flew* their planes, am I missing something in the picture?

[Nathan]

I know.....but I agree that more anti-human opsticals could be put forth to prevent anymore germy, dirty, greasy hands from rubbing all over it.

[Warbird Kid]

Flak Bait is probably the most historic B-26 left in the world. We should not fly it. But we should be flying the rest! I'm looking at you MAPS and Mr. Weeks!

[tulsaboy]

Thanks for the thoughts and replies, guys. Having heard about it, I just had to see it for myself. The sad thing is, with about three well placed pieces of plexi they could eliminate about 99 percent of the problem. I'd even send them the plexi if they'd use it. I got such clear photos because I took advantage of their lousy setup and reached my digital around the barrier. I'm 6'1" so it's not hard to do. The art is incredible in person.

[Rajay]

when some gang banging punks scratch their names on it, & put some graffitti on it for kicks then maybe the museum will wake up!!!

Although I agree with the sentiment, I have to ask: Just what kind of "gang banging punks" do you guys have in Ohio? I've never seen anyone in that category in a museum!

Seriously, though, I really do think that it's a travesty that Flak Bait and other artifacts like it are not better protected. It does irk me that "grubby" tourist hands have rubbed off the paint. That kind of thing cannot be "restored."

I mentioned Roger Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth" in another recent post. He has a whole chapter (#7) on "Martin's Maligned Madame." There is a note at the end of the chapter that goes:

"Preserved in the Smithsonian museum, Washington D. C. is a drab twin-engined aeroplane from World War Two. It bears the name Flak Bait, has 202 hand-painted symbols for bombing missions in a hostile sky and visible signs of repair. No other USAAF bomber completed so many operations over Europe. This Marauder, 41-31773, flew with the 449th Bomb Sqdn of the ill-starred 322nd Group. It had been one of the aircraft parked at Bury St. Edmunds in late May, 1943 when few believed the Marauder worthy of flying one combat mission - let alone 200."

I get choked up every time I read that.

[cozmo]

The line has to be drawn somewhere. I have read here that even the flash from a camera breaks down paint.

Most of the people visiting these planes were not around when they were making history. Most of the visitors don't know the significance of the artifacts they are viewing, but some will learn, and come to appreciate the sacrifices of the people who operated the machines they saw, and in some cases touched.

For an aircraft to still be around and educating another generation when its lifespan was most likely measured in weeks after it left the factory is a dignified existence.

I don't touch wings, or spin propellers (rubber, or not), or any of the other things I see people do around historical artifacts all the time. When I have the opportunity to educate someone else about the impropriety of doing such things, I think I have given that person a new respect for their history and hopefully they won't do it again.

I am not above doing myself. I was overcome with the need to put my hand on the U-505 last time I was in Chicago. Just to touch something of the like that had caused so much destruction and knowing of the men who crewed them even after their odds of returning went so low.

In the case of Flack Bait, I cannot berate somebody wanting to touch it. They may have a connection to the plane that will last them a lifetime.

[ZeamerB17]

While it would be really neat to see Flak Bait fly - as said, she is WAY too valuable.

I would like to know when they're gonna put her back in one piece, though.

[oldsoul1864]

Great Picts,

After 207 missions, I vote to let her rest. I do agree that there are other B-26's we should see flying.

In general, I think most people are respectful at museums. It is hard not to want to touch a part of history though. Sometimes I think, wow, this was there....and you want to somehow be part of it. I felt that way around the Enola Gay....

But, I was able to restrain myself. It is important for museums to remember this and place the plexiglas where it needs to be.

Chip

[Jack Cook]

Before EVG opened their museum they had some a/c in a hanger on the airport and gave tours.
After a Boy Scout tour F*CK!! was found scratched into the side of the highly polished Curtiss A-22 Falcon
If you know where to look you can see it

I've never seen anyone in that category in a museum!

Last edited by Jack Cook on Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Django]

Is there a timetable for reassembly and installation in the other building?

[warbird1]

After reading Mikesh book I thought the NASM *never flew* their planes, am I missing something in the picture?

This is true, NASM has a museum policy of not flying any of their aircraft, unless the flight is a final one to the musuem prior to it being put on display. The one exception to this in the past was the Boeing Model 307 which was allowed to fly for a while and even go to Oshkosh, before the Boeing Chief Test Pilot ran out of gas and ditched it in the water off Puget Sound in Seattle. After that, the NASM officials got justifiably upset and only allowed the 307 to fly one final time to Dulles after it's second restoration. Also NASM allowed the prototype Boeing 707, the Model 367-80, to be flown in to Dulles after it's restoration at Boeing in Seattle. Other than final delivery flights to the Museum, NASM does not allow flight.

The arguments on this board of flying vs. non-flying are contentious, hypothetical issues that have been argued since the inception of this forum. It's just fantasy.

[warbird1]

In the case of Flack Bait, I cannot berate somebody wanting to touch it. They may have a connection to the plane that will last them a lifetime.

I doubt the average visitor to Flak Bait knows the historical significance of the airframe, let alone appreciates it enough to "have a connection to the plane that will last a lifetime." The vast majority of people touching it will be younger folks, plus parents who know nothing about history. The only ones likely to have such a connection, would probably not touch it in the first place since they likely know it's historical value and significance.

The touching, feeling part of having a "connection to the plane that will last them a lifetime" can easily be achieved at their local airshows. That's what living, breathing, flying warbirds are for - not National Museum centerpieces.

[warbird1]

Is there a timetable for reassembly and installation in the other building?

It's been stated in the past, (don't know if it's still true) that Flak Bait is supposedly going to be the first airplane to come out of the new restoration facility being built at the Udvar-Hazy annex at Dulles. I don't think construction on the facility has even started on that yet, however. Can somebody confirm this?

[spookythecat]

Also NASM allowed the prototype Boeing 707, the Model 367-80, to be flown in to Dulles after it's restoration at Boeing in Seattle.

I can't recall when it was exactly but I just happened to be at the Museum Of Flight when the Dash 80 left.