MAPS Air Museum Visit - Photos

[Steve Nelson]

Re: the Marauder nose. Both the MAPS and NMUSAF examples are incorrect. The original nose was molded as upper and lower halves bolted together, with the only framing being around the flat bomb aiming panel. On the later models, two metal frames were added to the inside of the upper nose, I presume for reinforcement when the original .30 cal. gun was upgraded to a .50. I assume when MAPS and the NMUSAF made noses for their Marauders, they didn't have the capability to mold the entire halves, so they molded them in "slices" and joined them with framework. Not exactly accurate, but an acceptable compromise. Kudos to the MAPS folks for their incredible work!

SN

[Chris Brame]

Aha! Thanks Steve.

[airnutz]

What is the painted black area a few feet behind the refueling door?

The black panel up on the backbone of the a/c, covers the aft radio bay and the radio-compass antenna according to a cutaway in Winchester's, "Jet Fighters, Inside and Out". I've seen photos of the cover itself in bad condition with the paint flaked away and the cover appears to be phenolic or fiberglass...probably in regards to antenna interference. There's a small scoop on the right side of that panel which admits cooling air for the electronics.

Nice catch Steve, sump'n was bugging me about the B-26 nose, but I just could't put my finger on it.

[OD/NG]

Spent my last 7 months in the Far East at the Koon-ni Range ... while assigned to K-55 (Osan) we lived on the Range with a beat up Quonset, Pot Belly Stove and an outhouse ... all enlisted men. Here's a sample of a simulated A bomb drop

Ah, very cool! Thank you for your service, Misterg97!

[lucky52]

Thanks Airnutz.