MarkYoungCrewChief Posted October 26, 2014 Report Posted October 26, 2014 (edited) On Wednesday, 22 Oct, I took a two hour 250 picture walk around of the B-17D 40-3097, "The Swoose". These were taken as she sits on cribbing and all of her major parts collected next to her. Below are some samples of the shots taken. None of these are anything like what a finished B-17 would look like, but will give you an idea of what is under the paint and inside the structure. To see the full album, go to http://s643.photobucket.com/user/myoungcc/library/The%20Swoose%20Restoration/The%20Swoose%202014-10-22 . I added in some shots I took of an engine earlier in the year so all would be in one album. I hate it when Photobucket does not display the file names. If you want to see a description of the photo, on the album page with all the thumbnails, hover your mouse over the name under photo. I know it is a pain, but I am not feeling like labeling those photos again. Sorry 'bout that. Overall shot as she sits in the hangar. This is taken from the Restoration Division Chief's office area, so she is never out of mind. Not the original artwork, but as she was put into storage by the Smithsonian. It is close, but it did change through her career. The view taken from the aft entry door, looking aft. Compare with the condition in Dec, 2011, from the left blister opening. Interior of the gun tub, with one of two 0.50 cal guns installed. This tub was built for the museum by a contractor, using the original drawings. The inboard end of the main fuel tank and some of the fixtures, fittings and general clutter in the area inside the wing between the nacelles on the right wing. The left wing is pretty much a mirror image. Looking up and aft through the forward entry door. You are looking at the floor of the cockpit. I hope you enjoy. Edited October 26, 2014 by MarkYoungCrewChief
ghodges Posted October 26, 2014 Report Posted October 26, 2014 Cool pics Mark! Was all of that interior green on the interior chemically stripped off during the restoration, and was that green an original interior color? If not, how did the interior get back to the pristine aluminum finish it now has in there? GIL
aAzZ09 Posted October 26, 2014 Report Posted October 26, 2014 Great photos Mark! I have been interested in the restoration of (the oldest B-17 known to survive, so far,(as far as I know), B-17D "The Swoose" for quite a while now. I'm glad to see the progress. Didn't this particular aircraft later serve with General Brereton (?) escaping from the Philippines in the Spring of 1942? Best, Mark
VonL Posted October 27, 2014 Report Posted October 27, 2014 Whoa - stand back - B-17 addict in the house. Thanx for posting these!
MarkYoungCrewChief Posted October 27, 2014 Author Report Posted October 27, 2014 (edited) OK, I will try to answer your questions in order. Please be patient. YOU, in the back! - no shoving! Gil - To the best of my knowledge and and understanding of the specs, the area aft of the radio compartment was NMF. The radio compartment would have been bronze green. This is what I know from the F model and am sort of extrapolating here. The paint and the padding may have been added when her job was as a VIP transport from about late 1942 onward. I was not present during the clean up of the interior, but standard shop procedure is to use a water based paint stripper. Not like the good old stuff that would eat your hand off as well as strip the paint. The new "safer" stuff looks like Pepto Bismol and is relatively weak. It will get the job done, but it takes a while. Typically you apply it, let it sit for a while and then wipe off what you can with rags. Repeat as necessary. Sometimes some Scotchbrite, toothbrushes, acid brushes, fingernails, etc are used to speed up the process. It takes a lot of man-hours and usually this type of work is done by volunteers (we are happy to be able to do just about anything). Next - You - Mark - The Swoose is definitely the oldest B-17 in existence and is thought to be the only aircraft to have been an active, flying, aircraft throughout the war, from beginning to end she was in service. In combat as well as a VIP hack. When Lyndon Johnson got his Silver Star, it was as a passenger in the Swoose. I think you are thinking of Gen George H. Brett. In March of 42 the Swoose was picked as "his" aircraft, mainly she was the "war weary" in the best shape available at the time. He kept her throughout the war. His departure in November 42 was not so much an 'escape' as a re-assignment to the Caribbean Defense Command and he took the Swoose with him. Bob. I do not expect to see much progress on the Swoose for a long time to come. In fact, I will most likely be dead or severely incapacitated by the time she is ready to sit next to the Belle. I will post anything I can of interest in the mean time. Have you seen my photo chronicle on the Memphis Belle? It can be seen at http://s643.photobucket.com/user/myoungcc/library/Memphis%20Belle%20Restoration?sort=9&page=1 Hope this helps. Mark Edited October 27, 2014 by MarkYoungCrewChief
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