Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

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24 years 2 months

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I preferred the yellow tailed scheme she wore before going into Memphis Belle colours, and would like to see her back in those markings but on a silver finish.
What would you all prefer to see?

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

I'd like to see a new scheme. BUT, it takes money, and they don't seem to have plenty at the moment. I'd be happy to take a few days off work to help repaint it - it'd be an honour - but there's more to it than that I imagine. First, strip the old paint. How, and how long? (and is it beneficial to leave it on, with regards protection against corrosion?). Secondly, you don't want muppets like me, who know zero about painting aircraft, trampling around with brushes / guns, so you need a professional. Then find a scheme, then take it out of the airshow scene for x amount of time, etc etc.

It would be nice, but somehow I think funds won't allow it just yet.

(Perehaps it is time they put her on a pole.)

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

I hope that was a joke. With all due respect to Lancman, Sally B is THE warbird in many peoples eyes. We are talking about a living memorial to the whole 'Mighty Eighth' without which the UK display scene would be a much poorer place. Loseing it would be a disaster (and yes, I am in the Sally B supporters Club).

However, I assume you were joking.....

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

I don't mind which colours it is painted in, as long as it is a different one as the current one. Sorry, that "Memphis Belle" outfit is disturbing me for years now, boring, boring, boring ! The colours I should like to see, but that never will be applied as they aren't USAAF, is that of a Coastel Command B-17 , or that of a B-17 in some kind of lancaster colours, with a big radome under it (I have a Corgi B17 in that livery). BW Roger

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

I would like to see her in Coastal Command colours , altough keeping it clean would probably be a nightmare.

Alastair

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

No offence taken Willow, though let's ammend that to Sally B being THE...American UK-based warbird!

I should think they're lucky to afford just to start her up these days, so they can be forgiven for not having given her any new paint for a few years-more pressing matters and all that. But, it would be nice to see it in Coastal colours, yes. BUT, she's touted as the UK-based 'tribute to the 8th' and all that, so I'm sure it's best if she stays in US bomber colours.

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

Hi folks,
Just to add my penny's worth,I think she ought to be painted up as a USAAF B17G,rather than an RAF scheme or the current Memphis Belle B17F paintjob.The Belle paintjob does look good,but I can't understand why they went to the trouble of refitting the chin turret if they knew they were going to be keeping the movie scheme.Being as she looks like a G,she ought to be painted as one.
Another thing I would change is the chequerboard No3 cowling.I know this is a tribute to Ted White,but I think it ruins her appearance. They could do something more subtle like write a dedication to Ted under the pilot's window or somewhere.It would still pay tribute to him without destabalising the look of the aeroplane.
I think this will all remain conjecture for the moment as they are short enough on cash as it is.What Sally really needs is a good strip down and overhaul,something she hasn't had in years.

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

I'm just grateful we've still got Sally in the air-despite all the events of the past few years. She's only been north of the border once that I know of, and I dont suppose we'll see her up here again for a while, if at all.

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 205

RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

You guys talk like striping is no big deal. It is alot of hard work and stripper is very corrosive. It is almost impossible to keep it out of all the seams and the water used to wash away the stripper also carries it to the aicraft's bilge where it is very hard to remove. Some use metal tape around the seams and then remove it by mechanical means like a die grinder with a 3M pad but that removes material thickness. Boeing most generaly only allows material removal of 10 percent before you have to start replacing skin, bulkheads and stringers. Unless you like to buff a B-17 weekly, My best advice to preserve the airframe would to be leave it painted and only repaint when it starts needing attention due to corrosion.

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Posts: 702

RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

While I would love to see Sally B in another scheme, any other scheme, it's all got to be down to time and money. If I win the lottery, I'll give them the cash!

I imagine there is still some promotional value in having the aircraft painted as 'Memphis Belle' as your 'non-aviation' general public have heard of it.

Whatever happens, I think it should keep the checkered cowling as a tribute. Without Ted White, and those like him, we would not have the display scene we have today.

A further thought, probably contradicting one of the above points, is that maybe tail numbers, codes, and nose art could be changed while keeping the same basic colour scheme, so as to represent other units/aircraft. Minimal outlay and effort for a bit of variety.
This was done frequently during filming of 'Memphis Belle'.

Just an idea!

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

You can make one airplane look like a whole fleet in Hollywood! I worked in Chino and helped in several aviation movies. They use waterbased paint to add squadron markings and nose art and when they want to switch they simply take a water power sprayer and wash it off. Of course if you were to leave it on and fly threw virga or rain it would come off. We always had to retouch it after each flight.

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

Yeah I really like that idea, like the Spitfires back in 2000. Change them as often as you like!

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

My vote?

All silver scheme for a while please (Painted to look like natural metal) 'H' in a square on the tail - 388th BG flying from Knettishall in Suffolk.

Moggy

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

Hi Willow

You just made all the points I was going to say, allthough I think I might side with Lancman! The most important thing is to keep her flying.

I'm a member of the suporters as well, do you ever go to any of thier meetings, airshow enlosures etc? I've never been and wondered what they're like.

I'd love to see Hendon's B17 painted in coastal comand colours, it would be more apropriate.

Peter

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

Peter,

sorry, can't help because Ive never been to any either (shame on me!).

Love the idea of Hendons B17 in coastal command colours. It is the RAF museum after all. The B25 would look nice in an SEAC scheme, although it makes little difference as the whole place is so dark that you can't see properly anyway.

Willow.

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

The Bomber Command Hall at Hendon is, and was always intended to show the history of RAF Bomber Command and USAAF 8th and 9th Air Forces. So No, the B17 in RAF Coastal Command colours would be totally out of place.

A separate Coastal Command Hall is another matter...any money from anyone out there?

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

Perhaps I should point out that Coastal Command never operated the Fortress III (B17G) so a CC scheme on Hendon's example would be worse than sticking a Lanc on a perch!
You could repaint the B17 as a 100Group counter-measures machine,but you'd have to do a fair few mods to bring it up to that standard.All in all she's probably best left in her 8th AF guise.

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RE: Isn't it about time Sally B was repainted.

How about 2nd TAF markings for the B-25 and get rid of the terrible paint job on the P-51 a nice Polish or RAF scheme (sorry to go slightly off track) the 357th scheme is horrible, wrong colour I believe the 357th FG used RAF green on their A/C not olive drab.. then again under the quality lighting in Hendon could be anything!!