B-17 with turboprop engine

I have a book from the Seattle Museum of Flight with some good pictures of this same aircraft, the coolest one is the post test picture in the book. The cockpit was left in its new rear position and the open front end had a dome built over it, its the most odd looking B-17 I've ever seen a picture of

I would ask you a question, what would take the most time and money to accomplish - moving the pilots positions aft while shortening the turtle back, or just removing the nose at the bulkhead just forward of the windshield?  From the pics, it appears that they removed the nose and replaced it with the engine and its panels.  Plus the weight and balance would be easier to work out.  Plus, an original nose could be found and reinstalled when testing was completed and the a/c sold.

When testing was completed, the a/c was sold, a new (to the a/c)nose was installed and the a/c was restored as a B-17G, named "The Liberty Belle" and operated on the Warbird Circuit until she crashed and burned in 2011.

I didnt know that particular aircraft survived that long

The cockpits were moved back 4ft on each for the turbo prop.

As mentioned above, one of them became liberty belle, the other is currently under restoration to airworthy in urbana ohio as champaign lady.