B-17 News Up for December

[aerovin2]

Yep:



http://www.aerovintage.com/b17news.htm

[JohnDell]

Thanks for the update. I really look forward to these. I too hope the "Swamp Ghost" Disney art doesn't end up being painted on the airplane. It would be good though for t-shirts and other such fund raising material.

[JAB]

Scott, thanks for the early Christmas present of the B-17 News. Really enjoyed reading about "Shady Lady" and her shady as well as movie past. Was surprised and thankful to see the ex "Mary Alice" B-17 at the American Air Museum, Duxford is sporting 96th Bomb Gp. tail markings as my uncle John (KIA) was a navigator in the 337th Bomb Sq. of that group. I'm always glad to see a B-17 paying tribute to that famous Bomb Gp. Guess that explains my long interest in things B-17. Regarding the "Swamp Ghost", I'm leaning towards your stance of not formally naming and applying that moniker and nose art to a combat veteran B-17 that was not so named.

As always, thanks for your dedication to keeping us all up to date on things B-17 and B-25. All the best in the new Year.

[terveurn]

swamp B-17.jpg

[Chris Brame]

Re Swamp Ghost: Even if it doesn't belong on the plane itself, I like the artwork - it looks like it could have been a title card from a wartime cartoon.
That said, were there really any B-17s that wore Disney art from the factory? The wartime photos I've seen of such artwork always seem to have been on Lockheed twins, probably since Disney and Lockheed were both in Burbank. Are there any photos of Vega B-17s painted up?

Re Evergreen's B-17: has it ever been conclusively proved whether it was 44-83785 or 44-85531? The CIA took all the ID plates, but would there be any areas on the plane where there might be inspection stamps hidden? If Douglas stamps turn up, it would be 44-83785, but if Vega stamps are found, it would be 44-85531.