Author Topic: What Is This?  (Read 1131 times)

Offline Andy Bush

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What Is This?
« on: December 23, 2000, 09:06:00 PM »
Look close now...

   

[This message has been edited by Andy Bush (edited 12-23-2000).]

Offline ra

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What Is This?
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2000, 09:18:00 PM »
It looks like a B-24 with a funky nose.  It looks like they grafted a B-17G nose on it.

ra

Offline SKurj

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What Is This?
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2000, 09:38:00 PM »
UGLY  

AKskurj

Offline Jekyll

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What Is This?
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2000, 12:09:00 AM »
Yup, it's a B24 alright.

It looks a bit like the transport version, but with a glass nose.  The C-87?

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=357th Pony Express=
Aces High Training Corps

[This message has been edited by Jekyll (edited 12-24-2000).]

Offline M.C.202

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What Is This?
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2000, 12:15:00 AM »
As I recall... one B-24 was given a B-17 nose as a test for changes in speed and range, and to use the same chin turret. This be it?

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M.C.202
Dino in Reno

Offline Betown

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What Is This?
« Reply #5 on: December 24, 2000, 06:30:00 AM »
MC.202. I agree.
Didn't catch on though.

Offline Andy Bush

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What Is This?
« Reply #6 on: December 24, 2000, 09:51:00 AM »
Yep...it's a B-24J with a complete B-17G nose section. I don't have any info on where, when, or why this was done...anybody have any ideas?

Andy

Offline chunder'

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What Is This?
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2000, 07:47:00 PM »
Taken from "Big Bombers of WWII" (ISBN 0-681-07570-8)....

"The dissatisfaction with cramped quarters in the noses of turret-equipped Liberators led to one of WWII's most bizarre surgeries.  The complete forward fuselage of a B-17G Flying Fortress was grafted to a B-24J.  According to an AAF test summary, the massive splice job resulted in an operationally unsuitable airplane."

Scan down a bit in the paragraph...

"The findings:  The operational performance of this aircraft is poor in all respects... lacked directional and longitudinal stability, especially at altitude... disappointing service ceiling of only 18,000 feet."