B-24 nose to National WWII Museum.

[the330thbg]

This calls for a new designation for this aircraft....

I submit:

Fordsolidated Liberteer PB4YFB-24JD-7A

That is Brilliant!!

[Second Air Force]

41-23908 is on display at Hill. This carcass provided parts to restore '908. Hopefully that provides a tiny bit of clarity.

Both 41-23908 and Bu.No. 59932 came off the Consolidated/San Diego assembly line so at least they're related.....

There is a photo of Fort Worth-built Over Exposed, F-7 (B-24J-10-CF) 42-64331 here: http://www.b24bestweb.com/f7-overexposed-v1-3.htm

And here is the other Over Exposed, F-7A (B-24J-5-CO), 42-73020. http://www.flickr.com/photos/18532986@N07/5385630221/

So, as it stands, they have a PB4Y-2 and are calling it a B-24D that will be represented to the public painted as a B-24J that was really an F-7. Clear as mud to me........but I am glad it didn't end up as beer cans.

[TAdan]

...
So, as it stands, they have a PB4Y-2 and are calling it a B-24D that will be represented to the public painted as a B-24J that was really an F-7. Clear as mud to me........but I am glad it didn't end up as beer cans.

Well said

[Second Air Force]

Interesting sidenote--a couple of us had our eyes on the cockpit enclosure of 59932 four or so years ago.......

[Pathfinder]

"...a PB4Y-2 and are calling it a B-24D that will be represented to the public painted as a B-24J that was really an F-7..."

Oops! I missed the fact that it was a Dash-2....so the type designation needs to be changed to:

Consoliford Priverator PBBF-7A4Y24DJ-2

[Second Air Force]

"...a PB4Y-2 and are calling it a B-24D that will be represented to the public painted as a B-24J that was really an F-7..."

Oops! I missed the fact that it was a Dash-2....so the type designation needs to be changed to:

Consoliford Priverator PBBF-7A4Y24DJ-2

Your accuracy must be commended, Pathfinder! I was, at first, concerned about you including Ford in the designator. After a little digging I find you might be correct. Consolidated sent knocked-down kits to Fort Worth during the early days, then Willow Run started sending kits after they got some of their problems ironed out in Michigan.

[Django]

41-23908 is on display at Hill. This carcass provided parts to restore '908. Hopefully that provides a tiny bit of clarity.


So, as it stands, they have a PB4Y-2 and are calling it a B-24D that will be represented to the public painted as a B-24J that was really an F-7. Clear as mud to me........but I am glad it didn't end up as beer cans.

That's pretty funny!

I'm hoping it was 020! What are the chances she'll be topless though? (either aircraft) Probably not very good.

[the330thbg]

Any ideas on how they will display her? Like "Flak Bait" in DC?
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/A ... alk091.htm

Thanks!

[Django]

Like Flak Bait would be the easiest way. I would like to see them build a free standing wall and mount it to that, with stairs in the back to gain access to the cockpit. Then you allow the visitor to experience it on 4 sides, rather than 1 side and inside. Plus it will show off the aircraft in a much more impressive manner, rather than just shoved up against a wall.

[Steve Nelson]

The Michigan Historical Museum has the forward section of a B-24L displayed a bit like a hunting trophy. It's high enough of the floor that you can walk under it, meaning you can't see inside. The chin windows are actually painted sheet metal. It's supposed to be a Ford built aircraft, but the chin windows are incorrect for the Ford configuration. It also lacks the sheet metal fairing aft of the turret with it's characteristc Ford "S-Curve." You can get a bit closer by climing the stairs next to it, but you still can't seen into the cockpit, so I don't know how complete it is internally. The nose turret is complete..it was on display seperately at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo for a few months while the fuselage restoration was being completed.

SN

[Chris Brame]

Looks like the same artist who painted 020 also did the one in my avatar:

http://www.b24bestweb.com/f7-hi-prioritystuff2.htm

My friend David Seglin has uploaded his dad Bernard's album photos to the B-24 site. Cool!

[seabee1526]

great stuff...did the Liberator and Privateer share the same turret mounting and bombardier station? I know the turrets are different, just wondered if they shared a common mounting system.

[Steve Nelson]

I believe the ERCO turret required a different mount. Certainly the nose/bombardier windows on the ERCO equipped PB4Ys was a completely new design.

SN