In article ,
David Lednicer wrote:

That is one of the two Boeing 299Zs. These were B-17Gs modified to be
engine testbeds for Curtiss-Wright and Pratt & Whitney. They had the
cockpit moved back and mounting provisions for a fifth engine in the
nose. Both were used to test early turboprops. CW's ended up as a
firebomber and was destroyed in a crash. P&W's ended up in the New
England Air Musuem.


There is currently a B17 under restoration (was at Reilly's shop in
Kissimee but I think it's been moved). It was also an engine test-bed
aircraft.

--
Dale L. Falk

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing around with airplanes.

http://home.gci.net/~sncdfalk/flying.html