stumbled onto something I did not expect at all

[Trebor]

A Trans World Airlines Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

TWA B17 1946

I want to build a 1:48 model of this, now lol

 

[Trebor]

wow, I'm surprised nobody's replied to this, yet. this is a Boeing B-17 converted to an airliner

 

[syscom3]

Great find Trebor!

I wonder what they put in the [converted] bomb bay area? Maybe luggage?

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool find!

 

[Airframes]

Yep, probably luggage. It wasn't the first one, as the Swedes converted some which had been interned during WW2, first for ball-bearing freight, and then for passenger use. They had a similar internal arrangement to that in the pics, with a cabin fore and aft of the bomb bay, and an extended nose for freight/baggage. Some also had the bomb bay sealed, and another cabin installed.
Rob, it's nothing particularly unusual, as a number were converted, during WW2, as troop transports, freighters, and as VIP transports. And, of course, this also lead to the development of the Stratoliner, using the same wing etc.

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Excellent find Trebor! And thank you for sharing!

 

[Trebor]

Yep, probably luggage. It wasn't the first one, as the Swedes converted some which had been interned during WW2, first for ball-bearing freight, and then for passenger use. They had a similar internal arrangement to that in the pics, with a cabin fore and aft of the bomb bay, and an extended nose for freight/baggage. Some also had the bomb bay sealed, and another cabin installed.
Rob, it's nothing particularly unusual, as a number were converted, during WW2, as troop transports, freighters, and as VIP transports. And, of course, this also lead to the development of the Stratoliner, using the same wing etc.

yea, but this is the first I've ever heard of a B-17 converted to a passenger airliner

 

[Wayne Little]

A nice find Rob...

 

[T Bolt]

That would make a cool conversion Rob!

 

[Trebor]

That would make a cool conversion Rob!

heh, the thing is I would have to scratchbuild the interior. everything right down to the curtains on the windows.

 

[B-17engineer]

Hey he never said it had to be easy

That's pretty cool!

 

[Trebor]

lol yea, that'd take skill I'd never have

 

[T Bolt]

Unless you leave the door open very little of the interior would be visible. Do it in 1/72 and for sure it won't

 

[ccheese]

Did anyone notice it was scrapped in France in the 70's ??

Charles

 

[Trebor]

yea, I read up on the history of that bird. very sad

 

[Smoke]

That's really cool.

Thanks for posting!