lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024 07:02 20

lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024 07:00 20

lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024 06:57 20

George Remlinger, e-mail, 02.11.2017 16:49 My uncle was part of the crew that flew the Golden Hind #26187.

CDCox, e-mail, 23.05.2017 04:34 A good friend and ex prison worker Jack Dean Montague was a teenage B17 pilot . He is now 93 years and lives in Atascadero,Ca.

Dennis Tyra, e-mail, 12.02.2017 04:21 As a kid living at Clark AFB, PI in the late '50s an all black B-17 could occasionally be seen on the ramp. It was said to be used for dropping agents into Red China.

JAY HODSHON, e-mail, 02.02.2017 16:25 I WROTE BACK IN 2011 ABOUT MY BROTHER IN-LAW LEO DEGRAW BEING KIA/MIA FRANCE 5DEC43 7 DIED 3 POWs I HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE B-17 MARY PAT & FIGHTING COCK, CHECK MY POST FROM 2011 FOR MORE! HODSHON1@AOL.COM

JAY HODSHON, e-mail, 02.02.2017 16:14 MY BROTHER IN-LAW WAS KIA/MIA 5DEC43 FIGHTING COCK B-17 I HAVE A PHOTO OF HIS ORG. B-17 MARY PAT DROPPING BOMBS ON GERMANY QUESTION, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A 500# BOMB TO HIT THE GROUND FROM 30,000 FEET OR DROP HEIGHT. THANKS JAY

Morris Drees, e-mail, 05.09.2016 23:09 Flew them in the navy with a guppy radome. Forerunner of the RC121C

Bob, e-mail, 04.08.2016 04:47 My uncle was a crew chief on a B-17. If I remember what my grandfather told me correctly, in north Africa, the military placed beacons on top of mountains and high hills so that at night aircraft could fly over them safely. According to my grandfather, some "unfriendlies" moved a beacon down the mountain and when my uncle's plane attempted to fly over the beacon, they instead flew into the mountain. Obviously, everyone on board was killed instantly. My uncle was a very religious man and my grandmother was told that when they found his body some distance from the crash scene he had a smile on his face.

Don Schaeffer, e-mail, 30.08.2015 21:50 As a little guy growing up during WWII, One of my families oft told stories was of my dad's cousin Robby [Robert Carle] who was a tail gunner in a B17. He was lost somewhere over the Pacific. Unfortunately, no information was forthcoming from the government at that time. I do remember cousin Robby's mom and dad who tirelessly sought some info. from any source. Their efforts were to no avail, and they like I'm sure many others went to their graves never learning anything of their loved one's disposition. Now an old man, I'll be eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by many for their countrymen and the world. Thanks guys!

David, e-mail, 28.12.2014 04:28 A very close friend of mine just passed Dec 26, 2014 he was Capt. Leo Schwartz flew 52 missions in a B-17 lost many crew members on many of those missions. May he rest in peace.

Leroy McVay, e-mail, 02.04.2014 19:41 No aircraft is better than it's engines. B-17 had the best engines available at it's time. In 1957 I was working on updated versions of the Wright 1820 and we loved them. Remember the B-29 almost didn't make it because of those Whright 3350 engines.

John Peterson, e-mail, 18.01.2014 23:24 I was on a crew ready to go overseas just as the war in Europe ended. Two members of the crew still alive.

Basil L. Riccomini, e-mail, 09.08.2013 15:03 I well remember the B-17s of the 8th and the B-24s of the 9th in England. There was the constnt noise of airplane engines in the clouds as the USAAFs bombed by day and the RAF bombed by night I saw the B-17s return from there missions in terrible shape, how some of them were able to return to their bases was an act of God and the skill of the pilots. Many would crash on landing and catch fire and the ambulances and fire trucks would follow them down the runways. The losses of the planes and crew members were horific, but they went on their missions anyway. Because of them we do not have to speak German. They were all truly dedicated heroes.

Fred Gregorich, e-mail, 19.02.2013 04:43 WWII AAC training field in Lewistown, Mt., I was told it's the only remaining WWII military training field left in tact. I've been there 3 time and all the original building remain including the large hanger, briefing building, all the activities buiding and even the little one where the Norden bomb sites were kept and guarded. My brother Ed was engineer on a B-17 at that field. He, with his crew went down one night in August of 1943 during an electrical storm. Eleven were lost due to the pilot electing to take off that nite without a horizon indicator. It had been removed for repair. That crew should never have flown that fateful night. In 1997 I visited the crash site and found my brother's one dog tag protruding from the ground in addition to many, many small pieces of that Big B-17.

Jiøí, e-mail, 16.10.2012 18:53 Please for help, (B) 17G 44-6640 463rdBG/information 775 BS

Mark, e-mail, 20.09.2012 17:39 B-17 Ðñüêåéôáé ãéá Ýíá ôåôñáêéíçôÞñéï âáñý âïìâáñäéóôéêü áåñïðëÜíï ðïõ êáôáóêåõÜóôçêå áðü ôçí åôáéñßá Boeing ãéá ôéò áíÜãêåò ôçò ÁìåñéêáíéêÞò áåñïðïñßáò êáé ðáñïõóéÜóôçêå ôï 1938. ×ñçóéìïðïéÞèçêå êáôÜ ôïí Äåýôåñï Ðáãêüóìéï Ðüëåìï êõñßùò ãéá ôïí âïìâáñäéóìü Ãåñìáíéêþí óôü÷ùí, åíþ óõììåôåß÷å êáé óå âïìâáñäéóìïýò óôïí Ðüëåìï ôïõ Åéñçíéêïý åíáíôßùí ôçò Éáðùíßáò. Ìðïñïýóå íá ðåôÜîåé óå ðïëý ìåãÜëï ýøïò, óå ìåãÜëåò áðïóôÜóåéò, ìåôáöÝñïíôáò ìåãÜëï öïñôßï êáé ìðïñïýóå íá áìõíèåß óå å÷èñéêÝò åðéèÝóåéò. ¹ôáí ôï áåñïðëÜíï ìå ôç ñßøç ðåñéóóïôÝñùí âïìâþí áðü ïðïéïäÞðïôå Üëëï, êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôïõ ðïëÝìïõ Ôï B-17 åíéó÷ýèçêå ìå ôÝóóåñá ðõñïâüëá üðëá ôùí 12.7 ÷éëéïóôþí êáé Ýíá ôïí 7.62 ÷éëéïóôþí óôçí Ýêäïóç B-17C. Ç ôåëéêÞ ôïõ Ýêäïóç B-17G ðåñéëÜìâáíå êáé Ýíáí ðåñéóôñåöüìåíï ðõñãßóêï óôï ìðñïóôéíü ìÝñïò óôïí ïðïßï âñéóêüôáí Ýíá M2 Browning ðïëõâüëï, äßíïíôÜò ôïõ ìåãáëýôåñç åõåëéîßá óôéò êáôÜ ìÝôùðï åðéèÝóåéò. Ç áîéïðéóôßá ôïõ, áëëÜ êõñßùò ï âáñýò ïðëéóìüò ôïõ ãéá ôçí Üìõíá áðü åðéèÝóåéò å÷èñéêþí ìá÷çôéêþí, ôïõ Ýäùóáí ôïí ôßôëï ôïõ "éðôÜìåíïõ öñïõñßïõ" (flying fortress) êáé óôç äéÜñêåéá ðáñáãùãÞò ôïõ, êáôáóêåõÜóôçêáí áðü ôç Boeing, ðåñßðïõ 12.000 ôÝôïéá áåñïðëÜíá

Richard Taylor, e-mail, 01.08.2012 21:30 In 1945 my uncle, Flight Sergeant Victor Taylor, was piloting a B17 over the Bay of Biscay on a meteorological survey. When the flight engineer reported an engine fault Victor stabbed the prop feathering/engine cut button. He either pressed the wrong one, or else they were incorrectly wired, and ended up at 300 feet over a rough sea with two dead engines one side! He was one of only three survivors and told me that the aircraft in which they were flying was in poor shape after many a bombing raid.

Kevin Zimmerman, e-mail, 17.06.2012 03:02 Looking for info or images on "The Golden Hind" 26187 on tail

George Townsend, e-mail, 08.05.2012 20:20 I was in high school in Missoula MT 3/1/1943. Dropped out and went to Seattle, worked at Boeing Building B17's (riviter)until June; then joined US Navy. George B Townsend USMC (RET)

Frank Nelson Lcdr USN Ret, e-mail, 09.10.2011 00:07 Following WW II the Navy obtained 17 B-17's, stripped the armament, installed an APS-20 radar with two scopes in the bomb bay and sent them to NAS Patuxent River designated PB-1W. Squadron VX-4 developed the airborne-CIC concept and I joined the squadron as an Naval Observer/Controller in May 1952 just before it became operational as VW-2 (along with VW-1 on the West Coast). The PB-1W was an important variant and deserves recognition here. Follow-on Constellations became barrier and weather recon squadrons and eventually AWACS but the concept was impregnated and nurtured in the bellies of Navy B-17s.

W KREBES, e-mail, 03.09.2011 04:08 My father, William Krebes, flew 26 missions out of Kimbolton England in B-17s in the 379th Bombardment Group. He met my mother in London and she came to the USA. The Fortress saved my life and I wasn't even born yet.

Jessie, e-mail, 14.08.2011 19:51 My grandfather Lloyd Powell was a radio operator in the B17's during WW2. He was 463rd BG, 15AAF, 774 BS. He has told me he was assigned to the "Nancy Lou" but the day that the "Jersey Misquite" was to go on a mission it needed a radio man, theirs was sick" and he was the lucky man. The Jersey Misquite was shot down I believe he said over Austria, my grandpa was then held in Stalag 17B for 13 months. If anyone else knows anything about his group or knows of anyone that was also in this group and possibly knows my granpa please contact me with any info

bob, e-mail, 28.07.2011 19:14 I meant t/o & landing lenghts. Sorry

Bob, e-mail, 28.07.2011 19:11 Do you have min. t/o and landing requirements. Thks

Richard Lewis, e-mail, 14.05.2011 17:49 I noticed some of you have questions about Airmen & Aircraft of the 379th BG. I tried your E-mails with no success so I will share the info here. Contact me for the best sites to do your research.

Lloyd G. Coplin, e-mail, 13.04.2011 06:15 To anyone that flew the Rose of York--send me any information that you may have about its faitful mission.My brother Sgt. Okey R. Coplin was T/G serial #35847952 on this mission Feb.3, 1945. I am interested also in any information that anyone would have concerning his missions before volunteering for this mission on the Rose of York. I do not know the names of his regular crew or aircraft. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Lloyd G. Coplin

Lloyd G. Coplin, e-mail, 13.04.2011 06:09 To anyone that flew the Rose of York--send me any information that you may have about its faitful mission.My brother Sgt. Okey R. Coplin was T/G serial #35847952 on this mission Feb.3, 1945. I am interested also in any information that anyone would have concerning his missions before volunteering for this mission on the Rose of York. I do not know the names of his regular crew or aircraft. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Lloyd G. Coplin

JACK MCMICHAEL, e-mail, 10.04.2011 02:24 MY BROTHER WAS A GUNNEER ON B17 I THINK.IN ENGLAND 43 &45 DOES ANY ONE REMEMBER HIM. PAUL V.MCMICHAEL FROM KENNETT SQUARE,PA . NICKNAME BOOTY .HE NEVER TOLD US ANYTHING ABOUT WAR AND HIS RECORDS WERE LOST IN A FIRE.

dude, e-mail, 17.03.2011 21:40 if any1 knows more about this amazing plane then please email me because i would really appreciate it.

dude, e-mail, 17.03.2011 21:34 i am currently working on a science class poster on this plane and i am a great fan of it. does any1 know that it can withstand damage untill almost half the plane blows up AND can still land

William R Anderson, e-mail, 14.03.2011 18:29 My father is Robert,(Bob),G Anderson, in his combat logbook he has listed flying the aircraft Lady Luck on 5-28-44 to Dessau and Swamp Fire on 10-25-44 to Gelsenkirghen. I'm interested in stories and photos of my father during his service.

Joe Blevins, e-mail, 11.03.2011 21:25 This is grate...would appreciate getting a list of targets flown on SONS-O'SATAN..John Wildes, Pilot. Thank you: Joe Blevins

Woody Weidemeyer, e-mail, 28.02.2011 17:55 I was with VX 4 and VW 2 in the Navy during the 50s. We had the Navy Version, PB 1 W with belly guppies for radar. They are featured in the Book: B 17s in Blue. I would be nice to see photos of the Navy versions here.

Ray Burke, e-mail, 24.02.2011 06:43 Flew out of Foggia, Italy with the Swoose Group -463rd BG, 772nd BS until Germany surrendered. Great airplane. Could take unbelievable punishment and still manage to limp back home.

Peter Mundell, e-mail, 15.02.2011 19:01 Pls I desperately need (Like i need Air) a set of blue prints for a model RC B17 (1939) airoplane I am prepared to pay Peter

Joe Blevins, e-mail, 08.02.2011 22:57 I flew 30 missions on B17-F Kimbolton...Pilot John Wilds Plane {SON'O'SATAN) 379th Bomb Group (HEAVY) Crew 74.. USAAF -Station 117 Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England. Sgt. Clarence R.(Dale) Dalrymple..did a BIO of all 30 missions of our crew,,Need to contact him..Please advise if you could locate him...THANK YOU...Joe Blevins

Sean, e-mail, 23.01.2011 16:50 If the De Haviland Mosquito was used instead of the B17, there would have been an increase of 5000% in accuracy of bombs dropped, 90% reduction in aircrew deaths, 95% reduction in German civilian deaths. The Mosquito could carry 1800kg of bombs 2400km at a speed of 668 km/h with a crew of 2. Compare that to the B17!

JAY HODSHON, e-mail, 20.01.2011 22:44 5DEC43 MOST OF THE CREW OF THE B-17 MARY PAT WERE KILLED 3 WERE POWs THIS DAY THEY WERE ON THE B-17 "FIGHTING COCK" AND DITCHED IN THE BAY OF BISCAY ERNEST HIBBARD, FROM KY, LEO E. DEGRAW MY BROTHER IN-LAW FROM N.J. THEODORE KLEUSER,JOHN SLATER, FREDERICK ALBERT, STANLEY WYSOKINSKI,N.Y.C. JAMES O'KEEFE ALBANY N.Y. POWs STEWART DAY, TOM BETOW, WALTER OLOWNIUK 3 POWs

Barry Siegle, e-mail, 15.01.2011 21:30 My Dad was shot down in the B-17 named RedDragon on 9 August 1944. He passed away in 1998. Anybody interested in getting rid of their B-17 parts, I would certainly like to get hold of some! Let me know and many thanks! God Bless all that are serving and have served! Barry

Jaap Verduijn, e-mail, 13.01.2011 12:55 Does any of the oldtimers here happen to have piloted or crewed on "31971 B-17G-75-DL 44-83330"? Due to my life, marriage and finances coming apart at the seams I am sadly but seriously considering offering the above aircraft's steering yoke (left seat AKA captains'side) for sale. I would prefer selling it to somebody whose own hands, or his father's, might have grasped it white-knuckled when bombing the shit out of the Rumanian oil refineries!

Richard, e-mail, 09.01.2011 14:36 The primer and paint on a B-17 averaged 65 lbs.

jim robinson, e-mail, 29.12.2010 06:10 I have always been curious of what the emblem is on a B-17 yolk. I see photos of the cockpit and this emblem is very visible as show in front of the pilot. Fascinating aircraft.

Phil Grubb, e-mail, 20.12.2010 02:37 Recently read a great book called "The Bomber Boys" by Travis L. Ayers. Several great personal accounts of what these brave young airmen went through while flying in the B-17s.

Tony Close, e-mail, 15.12.2010 07:52 Dominic - sorry, but the aircraft hikacked in Thunderball was a Vickers Vulcan, significantly later in technology than the B-17 (produced 1956 - 1965).

Tony Close, e-mail, 15.12.2010 07:52 Dominic - sorry, but the aircraft hikacked in Thunderball was a Vickers Vulcan, significantly later in technology than the B-17 (produced 1956 - 1965).

Don Thomas, e-mail, 02.12.2010 08:00 What a great airplane!---One of my favorites during WWII! After reading Boeing turning out 16 B-17's per day during the war----Is this a fact or not?? This seems like a huge amount of assembly work for 1 day's work!!-----Don

David, e-mail, 27.11.2010 22:50 I just bought what was told to me a steering yoke/wheel from a B-17 bomber. Does anyone know where I can get a photo of an actual yoke/steering wheel to verify my find? Thanks

Bob Coheleach, e-mail, 19.11.2010 04:23 When I was a kid, I used to climb in the B-17 while they were loading the 500 lb. bombs with wheeled car jacks. They'd crank them up, put two cables around the bomb and crank them into the bombay and lock them in place. I used to sit in the turrets and spin them around. Can you imagine a kid having that experience nowadays!

a.casais, e-mail, 17.11.2010 20:54 I am one of the furious fans of this plane, but if you want to see it, without go for the real one, you have to get a comic collection draw by a magnific artist called Juan Jimenez( also a pilot) from Argentina, and the name of the comic is "ace of pike", is only 12 number about this plane from the first flight to when was shut down at the end of the war.Wonderful drawings not only for this plane in concrect, also me-109,me-262,mustang,spitfire,etc. You will love that.He use to work for "heavy metal" and other similar companys, but "ace of pike" is a miniserie.

Charles Wilson, e-mail, 10.11.2010 22:58 Hate to burst your bubble about New Jersey BB62 sinking Bismarck, she wasn't launched until December 1942. An old Tin Can Sailor

dominic, e-mail, 27.10.2010 00:44 could someone please give me more info on the b-17 in the james bond movie thunderball

B.O.B, 16.10.2010 08:52 Yes John I know i was being sarcastic again.

John Prime, e-mail, 11.10.2010 21:37 B.O.B., not meaning to be disrespectful, but the 8th Air Force did not exist in the summer of 1940. It was formed in 1942, and reorganized in 1944.

jay brieloff, e-mail, 16.09.2010 20:09 my brothers last b17 as a gunner was "THE CASED ACE". shelly--my brother never talked about the 35 missions he flew out if england--would love to hear from any one on that plane, or previous planes that he flew in

Jules Horowitz, e-mail, 11.09.2010 18:37 I flew 50 missions/sorties as pilot of B17s. Not to belittle the 8th A.F. but B17s flew from N.Africa-Italy and the Pacific theaters. My group (99th) flew to Ploesti at least 10 times, the most important target in Europe, as tough a target as any out of England. They even went to Berlin. It was the combined effort of all B17s and B24 heavy bombers that contributed in winning the war. IT WAS A GREAT PLANE TO FLY.

B.O.B, 05.09.2010 08:42 Yes George I know I was being sarcastic, but why did'nt you say some thing about the US 8th airforce in 1940?

George League, e-mail, 04.09.2010 06:06 In response to B.O.B's note about the sinking of the Bismark, the USS New Jersey had nothing to do with that. The Bismark's rudder was jammed by a torpedo from planes from the Ark Royal, and later sunk by gunfire from the ships King George V, Rodney, Norfolk, and Dorsetshire.

PHILLIP WOODS, e-mail, 01.09.2010 01:54 SEVERAL YEARS AGO I MET A FORMER BALL TURRET GUNNER FROM THE 91ST GROUP. HIS NAME WAS "JUNIOR" VIDMAR.i tALKED TO HIM OVER DINNER ONE EVENING IN THE 1980'S THRU HIS DAUGHTER WHOM I WAS ACQUAINTED WITH. THE NAME ON HIS B-17 WAS "LADY LUCK". PILOTS NAME WAS "WITZENFELD" I BELIEVE. ANYWAY, HE HAD SOME INTERESTING STORIES. SAID HIS LAST MISSION WAS TO SCHWEINFURT. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WITH RELEVANT INFO.I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A B-17 FAN AND HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO FLY ON ONE SEVERAL YEARS AGO- EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME!

RDR, e-mail, 29.08.2010 21:00 I just 'found' this site thanks to a friend. The B-17 is considered the 'Queen' of all the USAAF/USAF heavy bombers. Her history as America's first strategic bomber will live forever thank's to those of you that respond and comment on her such as this forum. I am a docent at a 'warbird' museum in California. We have 44-83684 that is being res- tored by a dedicated team. In closing, what do you guys see in my e mail address...? Work on it! regards DR

B.O.B, 15.08.2010 13:46 Yes Basil God bless America for saving England if it wasn't for the US 8th airforce in late summer of 1940 wee would all be speeking German! and thank God the USS NewJersy sank the Bismark in May 1941!. The USA helped liberate western Europe from Nazi ocupation thats why i have great respect for these youn American airmen, but they didnot save Britain from Nazi invation.

grady stoodt, e-mail, 07.05.2010 23:03 My great uncle Jack's B-17 was shot down during WW2. He was in the gunner's seat on the underside of the bomber.Once his mother got the news, she wore only black every day for the rest of her life.)-:

Glenn, e-mail, 13.04.2010 16:31 How much added weight to the B 17 was from the primer and paint?

Basil L. Riccomini, e-mail, 02.04.2010 05:54 When I visited my uncle in Newark, Nottinghamshire in England we used to watch the 8th Airforce B17's land after a mission and the planes would come in to land very much'shot up' and crashland, and skid down the runway explode and catch fire with the fire trucks and ambulances following them. It was a very terrible thing to see. All those brave men that flew mission after mission day after day with the knowledge that their survival rate was very slim. The whole world owes them a great debt, as they seccured the liberty and the freedom that we all enjoy today. We all should never forget what we owe them and their families. God Bless America for saving England and the British homeland.

Richard, e-mail, 19.03.2010 05:46 To all, I would like to fly the Swamp Fire around the world. I have Google Analytics recording all the hits from all the different countries. I ask you to visit the site and send the address to your friends and then have then do the same Etc, Etc, Etc. I think it would be interesting to see the results and see how fast and how far this will go. http://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home Thanks Richard

Gary Lesters, e-mail, 11.03.2010 23:51 As a radio operator on a B-17G, we dubbed Pacific Tramp 2, it was the biggest plane in the air at the time. I never thought they would ever get any bigger. Obviously I wasn't able to foresee the future but not too long after we landed in the Pacific along came the B29. Our beautiful 17 was outsized. However, she was our baby & I painted gorgeous Esquire girls on the nose to prove it. Our crew headed up by James Gordon Pugh of California was an 18 year old pilot entrusted with a million dollar plane & 9 human lives, some of whom were older than he was but none with his abilities which were outstanding. I have many times tried to find him to no avail. In our converted 17 we were fitted for our job as an air/sea rescue team with an 0wens unsinkable twin engine boat capable of carrying 15 people with enough food & supplies for 15 days, able to convert sea water to drinkable, SOS radio,inflatable cover and many other features. It was a remarkable plane & crew. I often think of them.

Thomas s, e-mail, 06.03.2010 12:46 My dad flew 33 successful missions in one during WW11 and got shot down twice i beleive it was a b17 i am not sure

Roy Bittner, e-mail, 26.02.2010 02:20 In 1950 I was at Kindley AFB Burmuda Flidht D 1st Rescue Sqd. We had 3 of the B-17 with the drop Boats under the bellies. They had no trouble getting off the ground or landing with them. They did a lot of escourt duty for planes with minor trouble comeing home from europe.

Alan Brush, e-mail, 24.02.2010 18:15 My father, Melvin Brush, served with the 305th BG out of Chelveston, England. While he was alive he participated in the reunions that they BG group had. I was lucky enough to go with him to one of them help in Seattle Washington. Mel passed away almost 6 1/2 years ago and would love to get ahold of any of his old commrades who remember him and served at Chelveston during the war. Alan Brush

Richard Lewis, e-mail, 06.02.2010 04:41 Excuse me for the mistake on the previous post. The Swamp Fire website is located at: http://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home

Richard Lewis, e-mail, 06.02.2010 04:35 I am trying to locate former Ground and Air Combat Crewmen of the 379th BG. We are also looking for the families of former airmen who might have been on the Swamp Fire 42-32024. If you are unsure you can search our site under the Crews and Missions section to see if you recognize any of the names: ttp://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/home If you know of or recognize any of these airmen please contact us.

George Roberts, e-mail, 30.01.2010 00:11 For its time in history, this was the best plane ever.I was the radio operator gunner for 31 missions in a B17 and it kept on flying despite many savage hits by fighters and flak. My last 15 missions were on B17 42-102547 (Rose of York)which was christened by the present Queen of England on July 6, 1944

Carol Rose Offutt, e-mail, 27.01.2010 15:17 My father flew 54 missions as pilot of the B-17 in Europe with the 92nd BG. His story is For This Marvelous Country. www.forthismarvelouscountry.com

Dr. Jack Goldstein, e-mail, 24.01.2010 21:44 Flew 25 missions in the 8th AF, 381st Bomb Group, 535 Pomb Squadron. Was Waist gunner and Toggelier (substitue Bombardier) Always counted on the 17 to bring me back to Ridgewell, Enland.

B. Clark, e-mail, 10.01.2010 18:12 check out http://sites.google.com/site/swampfiresite/ for the skinny on one of the most famous B-17s of the 8th Air Force. I was copilot

bob brophy, e-mail, 05.01.2010 05:47 great plane for photo work. stood up good under crash conditions to....

Bill Varnedoe, e-mail, 03.01.2010 01:55 I was navigator on the Crow crew, 550SQ, 385BG. I am the Historian of the 385th Bomb Group Association. That 13th gun in the radio hatch was removed, as it did not do any good (other than making movies of gunners in combat.) Besides, the radio operator manned a waist gun over enemy territory after the crew was reduced to 9 men!!

dude, 21.09.2009 13:19 Bombs away ! dudes, relax man!

Edward P Gilmore, e-mail, 26.04.2009 18:24 I was on a crew of an air sea rescue B17 in 1945 stationed in Abadan Iran. The plane still had the ball turret behind the boat. Can you tell me where I can get a model of this plane?

Gary McFall, e-mail, 23.12.2008 23:37 I'm building afull scale B-17 instrument panel. I have almost all instruments now , but what I need are dim drawings of the 3 panels. Can anyone help? Thanks Gary

Tom, e-mail, 03.11.2008 22:02 Hello, can someone tell me what plane was used as a primary bomber in USA before the Boeing 17 production?

Joe Hodder, e-mail, 03.08.2008 20:33 I don't knw how the air-sea rescue version was designated but the F-9 was a Photo variant of the G Model. It had a tri-cam array in place of the chin turret, the standard vertical camera station in the radio room and a sling to aid the photographer taking long focal length pictures out the waisst windows. The aircraft didn't hae any guns, armor plate, or bomb racks. Some had "Tokyo Tanks" in the bomb bay which gave them a 14 1/2 hour range with a 45 min. reserve. One such aircraft was assigned postwar at Neubiburg to eveluate several items of German aerial photo equipment.

Bob T, e-mail, 08.07.2008 20:43 I was a tailgunner in Glatton, England during the War and can't remember for sure what the takeoff speeed was with a loaded airplane; can anyone help?

stephen russell, e-mail, 15.06.2008 03:44 Love the B40 gunship mode & the B38 superfast models. 2 bad B40 didnt work out in the skies. Seen No models etc on B-40 or B-38 variants.

stephen russell, e-mail, 15.06.2008 03:44 Love the B40 gunship mode & the B38 superfast models. 2 bad B40 didnt work out in the skies. Seen No models etc on B-40 or B-38 variants.

Chuck Neilson, e-mail, 01.06.2008 07:51 I flew 35 missions out of Foggia,Italy as a tail gunner during 1944-45 and never saw a more airworthy plane. We came back over the Adriatic, fearing ditching in the water, but made it in on one engine full power, one half power & two dead engines. My hat was off to that plane.

'Ol Glenn, e-mail, 21.04.2008 14:30 I grew up in a small town in Nebraska near an airbase where air crewa learned formation flying to maximize the effectiveness of their firepower against German fighters. What a majestic plane the B-17 was.

EM Carlaw, e-mail, 13.09.2007 02:27 Hello, I have a question concerning the data plates on the -97 series of engines during WW2. I have heard that early in the war the acceptance dates were cut from the data plates to keep the Germans from finding vital information. Could someone update me on this info? Thanks

GIULIANO, e-mail, 09.07.2007 12:46 CIAO I AM LOOCKING FOR THE MANUAL OF CREW OR ROFI(RADIO OPERATOR FILE IN. CAN YOU HELP ME? THANK YOU BEST REGARDS

Joseph H. Peek, e-mail, 30.04.2007 07:09 I was a small boy in 1941, only 6&1/2 years old when my father died of kidney trouble and I moved from Hayden, AZ to Tucson, AZ with my mother. We lived about three miles from Davis Monthan Air Force Base and watched the B-17 Fortresses fly almost continuously. They were awesome and gave me a thrill each time they came over the house. I finally got to climb into one at Peachtree-DeKalb airport here in DeKalb County about a year ago. I was surprised at the cramped conditions in which those aviators had to work. I am six feet and 240 and would never have made it into the cockpit. I flew S2F Trackers in the Navy and had the same Wright 1830-82A engines with sealed harness for sea duty. What a great engine to fly. Call me 404-325-4866 Cell in GA.

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