Flak Bait

Thu Jul 20, 2006 10:10 pm

Hello guys,

Does anybody know if the Smithsonian Institution has the entire airframe of the B-26 "Flak Bait"? I know the nose section is on display at the NASM facility at the mall, but don't recollect ever seeing photos of the rest of the airframe anywhere.

Thu Jul 20, 2006 10:17 pm

Yes,

Lynn

Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:13 am

I last saw "the rest" of Flak Bait back in the mid-90's at their Garber facility. It looked very complete, "stabilized" (not restored) and in good shape for an extremely authentic WWII "artifact".

(sigh) wouldn't it be "nice" if NASM would just reassemble Flak Bait and display it at Udvar-Hazy? IMHO it is the most authentic WWII Warbird out there (never de-milled and with its equipment used in actual combat). A true icon of the sacrifice of many for our freedom today.

Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:40 am

Its good to hear that they have the whole airframe intact.

Maybe we should consider a WIX hunger strike until they display the B-26 in its entirity at Udvar-Hazy?

Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:17 am

Um,...yeah,.. Blacksheep, I'll start mine right after lunch, let us know how yours goes. :lol:

Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:59 am

DANG!

Lunchtime is coming up and still no word from anyone on the NASM staff!

Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:00 pm

Maybe we could take shifts, like 2 hours or something like that.

I'll really show my dedication and take the 11pm to 7am shifts. :lol:

Tim

Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:57 pm

Maybe we could try the Hollywood style "Rolling Fast" hunger strike....

http://et.tv.yahoo.com/newslink/15135/

I'd do that for Flak Bait...as long as a few hundred others are along for the ride.... :roll:

Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:13 pm

I like that idea...

As my wife was eating lunch in front of me (A Western Bacon Cheeseburger), I contemplated dousing myself with gasoline instead...

:wink:

Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:39 pm

I, too, would like to see it all come out to Udvar-Hazy. All these years of tourist hassle, crowds, and general DC aggravation every time I go to the downtown NASM on the Mall...

Plenty of room out at Udvar-Hazy. They really should bring the Me-262 and set it next to the Ar-234, too.

Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:42 pm

Hi All,

it would be nice to see Flak Bait as well as many of the "covered" treasures from Silver Hill at the new Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. But correct me if I am wrong, doesn't the new museum complex need to get an additiona added at some point in the future to bring in the remaining items that are in storage, and a "worksho" area so that the aircraft that are and will be restored get their "place in line" accordingly ??

Paul

Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:33 pm

Aircraft Mech Paul wrote:Hi All,

it would be nice to see Flak Bait as well as many of the "covered" treasures from Silver Hill at the new Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. But correct me if I am wrong, doesn't the new museum complex need to get an additiona added at some point in the future to bring in the remaining items that are in storage, and a "worksho" area so that the aircraft that are and will be restored get their "place in line" accordingly ??

Paul

I imagine that Flak Bait will make it out to Udvar Hazy in due course. They are working very hard to clean and prepare each of the aircraft at Garber. Currently they are working on the wings of the He-219, and the F9C sparrowhawk. There is also an Il-2 Sturmovik that's almost ready too. It takes a lot of time and effort to do this, and there is only a small staff. They are working as hard as they can... we'll all just have to be patient. The new wing, when it goes in, will be used to undertake major restorations. It will also house the NASM archives too. Fundraising is still going on for the new wing, so you might think of making a donation when you get the chance. It's certainly a worthy cause.

Cheers,
Richard