chicago midway airport dauntless dive bomber

[tom d. friedman]

just got back from a business trip to chicago. i've seen the dauntless hanging at midway before but never really took a close examination of it until today. i've stood by the type at air shows & museums too, but until you've stood under it for a time you come to the conclusion it looks frikken huge!!! especially the width of the wings!!! never noticed the 3 little port holes underneath either, why is the plexi 3 different colors in each little porthole??

[mike furline]

Are you refering to the recogniton lights? They would be three different colors.

Regards,
Mike

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

Wasn't this one of the planes rescued from Lake Michigan and the USS Sabine?

[tom d. friedman]

yes as to being salvaged from the lake/ uss sable, & i don't know if they are lights or what. the "portholes" are just aft of the underside wing centerline.

[Matt Gunsch]

they are the recognition lights, all US WWII planes had themT-6s had them in the belly, other planes had them near the wingtips.

[mlenoch]

I seem to recall that at one time there was a bomb hung underneath.
Also, it seems that the tires are truck tires rather than aircraft.
Anyone else notice these items?
Thx,
VL

[Elroy13]

Also, it seems that the tires are truck tires rather than aircraft.
Thx,
VL

I know they werent aircraft tires when I saw it last!

[tom d. friedman]

while at midway i thought about a bomb that should have been on the sbd. it would be the crowning touch of a great display, but....... i assumed 1 wasn't displayed because of the terrorism aspect, today & for ever to come. bombs & airports just don't mix in the world psyche these days since 9/11!!!

[Pat Carry]

check www.warbirdregistry.org/sbdregistry/sbd-10575.html

[tom d. friedman]

if there are rear guns on the midway sbd then they are stowed in the compartment. now that i think about it..... without the bomb it almost looks sanitized.

Last edited by tom d. friedman on Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Pat Carry]

Tom, Is the plane in an area at Midway where a ticket is required to see it?

[tom d. friedman]

yes pat, past security, ticketed travelers only. located concourse b past the dining & shops area. a 1st class restoration from the ceiling...... no clue as to the tires tidbit, or interior cockpit condition.

[Punisher05]

In case y'all ever come to New Orleans, we're putting a fiberglass TBM (formerly of the D-Day museum) at the end of Concourse C.

Not as good as a real one, but I'm sure glad to see it...all we have decorating the airport is jazz stuff.

[Pat Carry]

Why did the museum get rid of the TBM?

[Jerry O'Neill]

I wonder if they're making room for the C-47?
Jerry