ToughOmbre
Senior Master Sergeant
Love to see warbirds in the air, but gotta keep the "Swoose" on the ground.
TO
TO
Oldest B-17 to be restored
- Thread starter Micdrow
- Start date
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Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
Great thread Micdrow, same on the material guys. If I didn't live so far from it I'd go to the museum and take some photos.
Junkers88A1
Staff Sergeant
something comming your way by mail
Captain Dunsel
Airman 1st Class
You guys do know that the actress Swoosie Kurtz was named after the Swoose, by it's former pilot, her father? It would be very appropriate to have her on hand when it's displayed.
CD
CD
Junkers88A1
Staff Sergeant
i dident know that !! i quite agree with you !!! is she still alive ??
- Thread starter
- #26
Hi Terry,
I believe your refering to this B-17E. Serial number 41-2446 thats been nicknamed Swamp Ghost by the locals. Picture from the magazine Classic Wings Vol 13 No3 2006 Issue 56.
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- Thread starter
- #27
kool kitty89
Senior Master Sergeant
There was also an artical in Smithsonian Magazine several months ago.
Captain Dunsel
Airman 1st Class
Junkers88A1: Yes, she's 64 according to Wikipedia.
CD
CD
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Yes, that's the one Paul. Apparently, she's been awaiting export for a couple of years, but 'someone in the local government' has been blocking it. Even though the 'exporters' involved have payed a required sum, there have still been delays. However, it seems that things are now underway, and she should be moving back to the 'States soon.
- Thread starter
- #31
Thats cool, I hadnt hear much about here since they got here out and then she got stuck pior side due to politic's.
jhor9
Airman
When I took transition training in the B17 in Jan 1943 at Sebring, FL I flew in B17 C's, D's and E's. I don't recall the IAS for similar power settings, but the C and D were faster then the E. I remember that I had one plane up to 30,000 feet, only by diving a bit and then able to get an additional 100-200feet of altitude, this was done several times to get to 30K.
By any chance would you know the names of the 4 men in one of the pictures
seesul
Senior Master Sergeant
what a find!
Junkers88A1
Staff Sergeant
Micdrow, it would be great seeing a B-17D, B-17F and B-17G all flying in formation, but I have to agree with syscom3 and TO that the Swoose and the Memphis Belle are too important historically to risk. As a sidenote, sometimes people talk about losing an historical plane as a tragedy without thinking that a fine pilot and/or crew have lost their lives also - Ill admit I've been guilty of this type of thinking. Remember that you can always rebuild or replicate an airplane, but never a lost human being. Something we all need to remember (including myself). As much as I love seeing the old warbirds fly, I sometimes find myself hoping that someday they'll all be safe in museums and accurate replicas will take their place, both ensuring the safety of the historical planes and making it safer for the brave pilots and crew who fly the warbirds (or their replicas). It won't be quite the same as seeing the originals flying, but worth the tradeoff. Just my two cents worth.
Venganza
Junkers88A1
Staff Sergeant
I agree with venganza 100% and also with the tradgey of loss of lifes..and history..and when looking at the new Flugwerk FW 190 and the 262 that now flies ..its great to see the shape and paintschemes back in the air..but looking at the old birds like the swooze and liberty belle from a restoration point of view..IF they were to fly..all rivets out..all new wiering..almost all new skin..new wingspars..new structure ( due to corrison ).. and on and on..what is then left of the original bird..there are a few "originals " out there flying and restored..but what is "original" with them..the ID tag..some knobs in the cockpit and the grip..seat and instrumnetpanel ( probaly newmade that also ) can one call that the original warbird ?.. in my eyes no.. its not the same bird that saw combat anymore.. so i think that these birs should stay on the ground..make them "flayable" with engines running..ok.. but dont fly them.. we have the same in our museum regarding the Ju 88.. amny people come by and whish we could restore it to fly.. but then i start to explain what has to be done.. and how little then would be original..and they all say the same..make a copy instead..hehe AND that is something i would love to do..if somebody put up the money..hehe
- Thread starter
- #38
just thought this would fit in here..been going thru the pictures of all items storedin the smitshonian ( and that is quite a few thousands ) and found this..the original outcast and drawing for the noseart on the swoose
GF
Great find there Guttorm, many thanks!!!!
DBII
Senior Master Sergeant
I found this this morning and thought I would share.
warbirdsnews.com
B-17E “Desert Rat” Restoration Update – July 2023
warbirdsnews.com
cvairwerks
Staff Sergeant
Mike and the crew are doing a fantastic job bringing her back to life. If you are into B-17's, you also need to check out Ray Moore's "Lucky 13" project....a complete new build from scratch.
hangarthirteen.org
Hangar Thirteen
hangarthirteen.org
