Boeing B-17D "Swoose", 1943 - (forward fuse) (scan - 1984)

The oldest remaining B-17, and the last survivor built without the large dorsal fin. The aircraft was at Clark Field on 6 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked. It was heavily damaged but, following major repairs, continued the war in the Philippines and eventually went to Australia. Its pilot was Capt Frank Kurtz, 1935 Olympic diving champion, whose daughter became a well-known actress - Swoosie Kurtz. "Swoose" finished the war as a Sixth Air Force VIP transport in the Central South America theater. The fuselage is next door in building 22. (Smithsonian caption)


Click on the picture to get a full-screen, high-res photo!