Smithsonian Tribute to Jason's Aircraft Selection?

[Varibraun]

What are the odds!?  A really nice surprise to see GBs "Old & New" sitting side by side in the restoration hanger at the Air and Space Udvar-Hazy Center this past week.  @Jason_Williams - I think the fella in the photo must be a fan:

 

 

 

B-26:

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/martin-b-26b-25-ma-marauder-flak-bait/nasm_A19600297000

 

IL-2:

https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/stalins-ilyushin-il-2-shturmovik

[Rjel]

I hope they get Flak Bait restored. I first read about that B-26 September '78 issue of Airpower. They had a nice write up about it. I always wondered though how "Marauduer" slipped past the proof readers. Wings/Airpower was an excellent magazine. Wish it were still in publication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BlitzPig_EL]

It's amazing how large the IL2 looks next to the B-26.

[Gambit21]

26 minutes ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

It's amazing how large the IL2 looks next to the B-26.

Probably how small the B-26 looks next to the Il-2. I’ve stood next to a restored/flying IL-2 and it’s not that big.

[oc2209]

39 minutes ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

It's amazing how large the IL2 looks next to the B-26.

 

I thought so too, but then I looked up the dimensions of each plane. The B-26 is much larger, so I guess it's merely an optical illusion.

 

Or... an optical Ilyushin.

 

[...]

 

Please kill me now. My shame for that pun is too heavy to bear.

[Irishratticus72]

8 minutes ago, oc2209 said:

 

I thought so too, but then I looked up the dimensions of each plane. The B-26 is much larger, so I guess it's merely an optical illusion.

 

Or... an optical Ilyushin.

 

[...]

 

Please kill me now. My shame for that pun is too heavy to bear.

*Russian bear? 

[oc2209]

1 minute ago, Irishratticus72 said:

*Russian bear? 

 

I was going to riff on that, but I can only be funny once a day. I've hit my limit already.

[Rjel]

Just now, oc2209 said:

 

I was going to riff on that, but I can only be funny once a day. I've hit my limit already.

[Rodwonder]

They've put a lot of work on Flack Bait since the last I was there... Nice to see her coming along. 

[Varibraun]

4 hours ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

It's amazing how large the IL2 looks next to the B-26.

 

3 hours ago, Gambit21 said:

Probably how small the B-26 looks next to the Il-2. I’ve stood next to a restored/flying IL-2 and it’s not that big.

 

Here is another angle that gives a little better perspective.  Also, look at what is behind the IL-2...it's almost like a IRL trailer for BoN. 

 

[SCG_Tzigy]

4 hours ago, Gambit21 said:

Probably how small the B-26 looks next to the Il-2. I’ve stood next to a restored/flying IL-2 and it’s not that big.

I think il2 pretty chunky.  Surprised me.  Stood next to the Paul Allen's and the Prague/Kbely one..

[kissTheSky]

They’ve been working on Flak Bait for quite some. The last time I was there, a visitor from a galaxy far far away was next to it.

 

 

[Gambit21]

1 hour ago, SCG_Tzigy said:

I think il2 pretty chunky.  Surprised me.  Stood next to the Paul Allen's and the Prague/Kbely one..

It’s the Paul Allen one that I speak of - not a huge aircraft.

At least in the context of bombers/this conversation. Yeah it’s chunky

 

[Irishratticus72]

11 hours ago, oc2209 said:

 

I was going to riff on that, but I can only be funny once a day. I've hit my limit already.

I like a man who knows his capacity. 

[Varibraun]

12 hours ago, kissTheSky said:

They’ve been working on Flak Bait for quite some. The last time I was there, a visitor from a galaxy far far away was next to it.

Well...I didn't expect to see those two next to each other either! 

 

It appears they have made a couple of more relevant (to our Flying Circus series at least) additions to the hanger since your last visit.  Can anyone identify the allied fighter in the second photo?  I couldn't get a good viewing angle on it to really tell, but I am sure that someone here likely can tell based on just the wing and nose.  My best guess was a Spad VII?

 

 

[Ptolemy_Soter]

On 5/8/2022 at 5:03 PM, Varibraun said:

Can anyone identify the allied fighter in the second photo?

It's a SPAD XIII in USAS colours ?

Edited June 2, 2022 by Ptolemy_Soter