Share

cover art for The Frankenplanes of the Pima Air and Space Museum

The Damcasters - The Aviation History Podcast

The Frankenplanes of the Pima Air and Space Museum

Ep. 63

This week, we explore the fascinating background of aircraft that have undergone restoration, rebuild, or are newly built, focusing on their representation in museums and the complexity of their historical authenticity. We highlight the stories of four specific aircraft in the museum's collection: the Bristol Bolingbroke, the Curtiss P-40E Warhawk, a P-51 Mustang, a Hawker Hurricane and a B-24J Liberator named 'Star of India.' With each aircraft, Pima's CEO Scott Marchand and Director of Collections Andrew Boehly explain the careful considerations behind the paint schemes and in representing their history. Together, they shed light on the meticulous work behind the restoration of these 'Frankenplanes,' blending parts from various sources to piece together aircraft that stand as testaments to their contributions during WWII.


★Check out 909 Apparel's Century Bombers collaboration with the 100th Bomb Group Foundation here: https://linktr.ee/909apparelco

Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum through the links below:


★Visit the Pima Air and Space Museum’s website here: https://pimaair.org/

★Learn more about the Titan Missile Museum here: https://titanmissilemuseum.org/

★Find out who is in the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame here: https://pimaair.org/about-us/arizona-aviation-hall-of-fame/

★Want to know how the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum is progressing? Find out more here: https://www.tucsonmilitaryvehicle.org/


★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and grab some merch. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters

★Join us for all things aviation-y on The Damcasters Discord server! https://discord.gg/fmrVKjpDVj


The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 88. The Avaition Book Review! with Andy Wright

    01:00:19||Ep. 88
    🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------Welcome to a new show on The Damcasters, where Andy Wright of Aircrew Book Review and I will discuss the latest in aviation books!🛩️Check out the Aircrew Book Review site here: https://aircrewbookreview.blogspot.com/🛩️Join the Aircrew Book Review Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aircrewbookreview/🛩️Follow Andy on Twitter/X here: https://x.com/aircrewbookrevuBook Review 1 - Stanford Tuck by Helen DoeBook Review 2 - From Biplanes to Fast Jets by Ken AedyBook Review 3 - Solo 2 Darwin by Amanda HarrisonBook Review 4 - Admiral VAT Smith by Graeme LunnBook Preview - Relentless Skies by Ian CampbellHead to the Boney Abroad Bookshop to grab your copy of all the books we discussed today! 10% of each sale (UK Only) goes to supporting the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad-----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum-----------------------------------------------------👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro02:22 What does a Book Editor Do?28:35 Book Review 1 - Stanford Tuck35:03 Book Review 2 - From Biplane to Fast Jets39:46 Book Review 3 - Solo 2 Darwin44:22 Book Review 4 - Admiral VAT Smith49:12 Book Preview - Relentless Skies58:30 Wrap Up
  • 87. Boeing's Fortresses Part 3 - The B-52 Stratofortress

    01:19:02||Ep. 87
    Join us for Part 3 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the evergreen B-52 Stratofortress!🛩️Watch all of our Boeing's Fortresses mini-series as they drop here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpytFew7euhmG92JX9NVUkl4ZbgZ7VmSU🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/podcast/100-years-of-civil-aviation-with-ben-skipper/🛩️Buy Ben's Flight Craft books from Pen and Sword at The Damcasters Bookshop (UK Only) here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad👉Follow Ben on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/WriteBenSkipper👉Follow Ben on Bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/benskipper.bsky.social👉Visit Ben's Fallout Substack here: https://fallout.substack.com/ -----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction03:31 The Road to the Forever Bomber23:33 The Sublime B-47 Stratojet45:45 The Competition from the B-156:37 The New Engines75:55 Conclusion to Boeing's Fortresses
  • 86. Boeing's Fortresses Part 2 - The B-29 Superfortress

    01:08:16||Ep. 86
    Join us for Part 2 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the remarkable B-29 Superfortress! Ordered from Boeing's drawing board and costing $3b in 1940s money, the delivery system for the atomic bomb cost even more than the weapon itself. But that is only part of the remarkable tale Ben Skipper has to share with us.🛩️Catch all the Boeing's Fortresses Mini-Series as they drop here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/tag/boeing-fortresses/🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/podcast/100-years-of-civil-aviation-with-ben-skipper/🛩️Buy Ben's Flight Craft books from Pen and Sword at The Damcasters Bookshop (UK Only) here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad👉Follow Ben on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/WriteBenSkipper👉Follow Ben on Bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/benskipper.bsky.social👉Visit Ben's Fallout Substack here: https://fallout.substack.com/ -----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909 Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction02:12 The B-29's Origins08:58 Design Challenges13:52 Curtis LeMay Returns21:16 The Battle of Kansas24:20 Engine Issues and Production30:48 Flying The Hump34:17 Psychological Impact on Japan42:33 Special Weapons49:26 Hiroshima and Nagasaki63:27 Legacy of the B-29
  • 85. Boeing's Fortresses Part 1 - The B-17 Flying Fortress

    01:01:47||Ep. 85
    Join us for Part 1 of our series on Boeing's Fortresses, the incredible B-17 Flying Fortress!🛩️Check out Ben Skipper's first visit to The Damcasters on Civil Aviation's First 100 Years right here: https://youtu.be/upQyb-yEvzc🛩️Catch all the Boeing's Fortresses Mini-Series as they drop here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/tag/boeing-fortresses/🛩️Buy Ben's Flight Craft books from Pen and Sword at The Damcasters Bookshop (UK Only) here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/boneyabroad👉Follow Ben on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/WriteBenSkipper👉Follow Ben on Bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/benskipper.bsky.social👉Visit Ben's Fallout Substack here: https://fallout.substack.com/ -----------------------------------------------------✈️Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum👕Get your aviation on with 909Apparel today! Check out their website here: https://www.909apparel.com/-----------------------------------------------------🛫Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcasters-----------------------------------------------------The Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International-----------------------------------------------------00:00 Introduction06:09 The Flightcraft Series Explained10:12 The Road to the B-1716:07 The B-17 in RAF Service20:25 USAAF Arrives in England28:40 B-17 in Combat30:48 The B-17's Adaptability43:45 B-17 Variants50:13 The B-17's Legacy59:44 Conclusion and B-29 Teaser
  • 84. Navigating the Duxford Debate

    25:31||Ep. 84
    Following an uncomfortable debate about a news article in Aeroplane Monthly on Duxford's future plans, Matt reflects on how the Avgeek community communicates. He also looks at the challenges of online discourse within the aviation community, the need for constructive criticism and civil debate, what that means for our aviation publications and how he will try to engage with everyone going forward. NOTE: I made this a full-numbered episode in the end!★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 The Duxford Dilemma: A Community in Conflict09:42 Navigating Online Discourse in Aviation17:48 The Future of Aviation Museums and Community Engagement
  • 83. Arnhem: Black Tuesday with Al Murray

    01:01:21||Ep. 83
    Tuesday, 19th September 1944, was Black Tuesday for the 1st Airborne Division trying to take and hold the road bridge at Arnhem. It was the day Operation Market Garden failed. Comedian and historian Al Murray joins us to discuss the efforts of the RAF's 38 Group to resupply the Paras and understand why the defeat still grips us 80 years later.★Buy Arnhem: Black Tuesday by Al Murray at The Damcasters bookshop here (10% of each purchase supports the pod) UK only: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9780857506566★Follow Al on Twitter/ X here: https://x.com/almurray★Follow Al on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thealmurray/★Check out the Walking The Ground YouTube channel here:  @WW2WalkingTheGround ★Listen to Stanley Maxted's BBC report from Arnhem during the 3rd Lift here: https://open.spotify.com/track/5foDTOMqjvpSmb1a16IxyY?si=d3a8345a19cf4c86★Get your 909 Apparel now! https://www.909apparel.com/★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 Introduction02:03 Al Murray - Why Arnhem?05:40 Writing Black Tuesday14:08 Lack of Airpower Over Arnhem21:34 38 Group - RAF Transport Command26:07 Pima Visit Ad - VC-118 Liftmaster29:27 38 Group's War Con't33:37 The Failed 2nd Lift37:57 The 3rd Lift40:36 David Lord's VC52:35 The Book Escapes59:20 Wrap Up and Become a Damcasteer!
  • 82. Operation Chowhound with Lucy Hanson

    41:29||Ep. 82
    In 1945, the RAF and USAAF flew two remarkable operations. Mana and Chowhound were missions to deliver food and vital medical supplies to break the 'Hunger Winter' famine in Occupied Holland. A truce with the Nazis was agreed and the bombers flew unopposed to drop their vital cargo. In Hilversum, south of Amsterdam, was 14-year-old Lucy Hanson, who saw food fall from the sky. Today Lucy joins us to tell her incredible story of life under Nazi occupation and the day she no longer feared the bombers.★View the Nationaal Archief 'Hongerwinter' photo collection here: https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/zoeken?activeTab=photos&resultsPerPage=48&rm=gallery&searchTerm=hongerwinter★Be sure to check out the  390th Memorial Museum's website at https://www.390th.org/★Watch our tour of the 390th's B-17G I'll Be Around here: https://youtu.be/cR6J_ZPC0ys★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://www.x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseum★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 Introduction02:11 Life Under Nazi Occupation12:18 The Hunger Winter17:08 NASA's SOFIA Aircraft at PASM20:16 Food Falling From the Sky29:27 British Tanks Arrive in Hilversum36:42 Reflections on the B-1738:44 Conclusion and Become a Damcasteer!
  • 81. Propwash Airshow at Stow Maries

    34:02||Ep. 81
    Propwash is the summer Festival of the Air at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome and we were delighted to be there! Following the museum's CEO Ian Flint's kind invitation to visit, we headed out to Essex to see First World War aircraft flying, tour the museum, its exhibits and, of course, indulge in the museum's renowned quiche. Join us as we tour Stow Maries and discover a true gem of destination.★Support the Stow Maries Crowdfunder here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-story-alive ★Visit the Stow Maries website here: https://www.stowmaries.org.uk/ ★Follow Stow Maries below:  @stowmariesgreatwaraerodrom7220https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039140355023https://www.instagram.com/stowaero37/https://x.com/StowAero★Get the latest from the Pima Air and Space Museum by following their socials!Website: https://pimaair.org/https://www.facebook.com/PimaAirAndSpacehttps://www.instagram.com/pimaairhttps://x.com/pimaairhttps://www.youtube.com/c/PimaAirSpaceMuseumMusic:Greg McKay - Not Giving Up (Instrumental)Polychroma - Secondary Plotline (Instrumental)★Become a Damcasteer today on Patreon! Join from just £3+VAT a month to get ad-free episodes, chat with Matt and a welcome pack. Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/thedamcastersThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International00:00 Welcome to Stow Maries00:33 Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 Walkaround01:23 Museum Introduction and the First Blitz05:47 Nieuport 17 Walkaround07:14 The Women of the Great War08:19 Tiger 9 Flightline Walk09:39 The Machinery of Stow Maries11:36 BE2 and Nieuport 17 Display12:57 The Turbulent Display Team14:08 Could Boney Be a Great War Aviator?16:38 The Flying Gear of WW118:28 World Without Wires Exhibit23:59 Piper Cub Display25:20 Susane Tells Us About The Activities Available to Stow Maries31:18 The Suffolk Spitfire Display33:39 The Pulveriser Cockpit35:00 37 Squadron's Office38:00 Please Support Stow Maries!
  • 80. Harry Hardy DFC - Hawker Typhoon Pilot

    28:29||Ep. 80
    On the 10th of August 1944, Harry Hardy joined 440 "City of Ottawa" Squadron RCAF in Normandy, flying Hawker Typhoon 'Bombphoons'. Harry flew 96 sorties (missions) through France, Belgium and Holland and was the pilot of The Pulverizers. In 2006, Harry gave this talk to the Royal Canadian Legion in White Rock, BC.The original footage has kindly been allowed to be reproduced here by his grandson, Rick Tunstall, and the Hardy Family.You can watch Harry give his presentation and see his slides on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/4LXDacpBH30Harry's chapter about his wartime experiences from his autobiography can be read on our website here: https://www.thedamcasterspod.com/harry-hardy-dfc-hawker-typhoon-pilot/To learn more about all the Canadian Typhoon Pilots, please visit The Typhoon Project website by historian Anne Gafiuk: https://thetyphoonproject.org/navigation.htmlThe Damcasters © 2024 by Matt Bone is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International