AERODATA INTERNATIONAL N°8 FLYING FORTRESS &Aerodata International ft monographs are self-contained 20-page Ad size booklets containing 1/72 scale multi-view plans, colour artwork, sketches, large photographs and narrative including’ technical data}~everything. the modeller needs to know to check the accuracy of plastic kits or serateh-build his own replicas from wood or plastic. A special, additional wrap-around inside cover gives a brief outline history of the subject aircraft in French and German plus translations of the photo captions and drawing annotations in those same two languages. This particular title is one of six devoted to famous bombers of World War 2, following the initial series of six famous fighters of World War 2. The series includes: No. 1 Focke-Wulf 190A series by Peter G. Cooksiey No. 2 Supermarine Spitfire 1 & I by Philip J. R. Moves No, 3 North American P-51D Mustang by Harry Holmes No, 4 Messerschmitt Me 109E by Peter G. Cooksley No. 5 Hawker Hurricane I by Philip J. R. Moyes No. 6 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt by Jolin B, Rabbets No, 7 Handley Page Halifax (Merlin-engined variants) by Philip J. R. Moyes No, 8 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress by Philip J. R. Moyes No, 9 Junkers Su88A Series by Philip J. R. Moves, No. 10 Avro Lancaster Mk I by Philip J. R. Moyes No. 11 Consolidated B-24 Liberator by Philip J. R. Moyes No. 12 Heinkel He 111 by Philip J. R. Moyes Plans and artwork by Alfred Granger, MISTC Colour artwork by Roy Mills Aerodata International Publications and their contents are copyright © Vintage Aviation Publications Ltd., VAP House, Station Field Industrial Estate, Kidlington, Oxford, England, and no part may be reproduced in any way without the prior permission of the publishers. Trade enquiries would be welcome, but the publishers regret that they cannot deal with readers’ enquiries concerning the content of Acrodata International Publications Printed by Visual Act Press Limited, Oxford, England First published 1979, ISBN 0 905469 55.0BOEING B-47G FLYING FORTRESS—DEUTCH Eines der wirklich klassischen Kampfflugzeuge in der Geschichte des Luftkriegs, die Boeing B-17 “‘Fliegende Festung” flog zum ersten Mal im Juli 1935 und die erste Lufiwaffe, die sie in Dienst stellte, war die Royal Air Force GroBbritanniens, als sie im Jahre 1941 — und ent- gegen amerikanischem Rat — versuchte, einige B-17C Maschinen fur Hohenluftangriffe bei Tag uber Nordeuropa einzusetzen; das Experiment erwies sich als teurer Fehilschlag. Als die USAAF 8, Luftflotte auf dem ‘europaischen Kriegschauplatz in Erscheinung getreten war, benutzte sic die verbesserten Modelle der “Festungen’’, um regelmaBig in den deutschen Luf- traum vorzudringen, Trotzdem waren die Verluste wierderum so hoch, da es Selbstmord schien, die Operationen fortusetzen. Jedoch wurde das endgiltige Modell der “Festung” B-17G mit einem usdtzlichen “*Kinn’?-Geschitzturm mit Zwillings-MG jetzt in Dienst gestellt, und dank der zu diesem Zeitpunkt verfugbaren Langstrecken—Begleitjager, insbesondere des North ‘American P-51 Mustangs (siche Aerodata International Nr. 3) waren die Bomber jetzt in der Lage, sich bis zu ihren Zielen durchzukaimpfen, und allmablich errangen sie die Uberlegenheit. Schon im September 1944 zahlten nicht weniger als 26 B-I7G Bombergruppen zu den Schwerbombereinheiten flr Fronteinsatze der 8 Luft- floue, und an einem Tag flogen mehr als 1000 “Festungen’” zu ihren Zielen. B-I7Gs fahrten auch Abb. | Biine der berdhmtesten “Fliegenden Festungen” dberhaupt. ‘Neun-NulleNeun des 323. Bombergeschwaders, 9. Bombergruppe, in ‘assingdon, Cambridgeshire stationirt. Nach den letzten drei Zifern Ihrer Seriennummer 43-81909 benannt, frie dese B-17G insgesumt 140 Kampfeinsdtce bel der 8. Kujiflote durch und dberstand den ries. Abb. 2.8 3. Diese von Boving gebaute B-17F, 42-30631, diente als Protoiyp der B-17G. Sie war ein normales Produktionsmodell, das ‘edndert warde, wm den Einbau des Bendis “Kinn’™-Geschitturms, ‘erbesserter SeienMG-Luken und sonstiger Modificierungen, mei Lechnischer Art eu ermoplichen. Weipe Vierecke wurden susatlich cu den US-Hohelssiern-Markierungen in Juli 1943 angebracht. Die rote Umrandung war nur bis September in Gebrauch und wurde danach durch Blau ersett. Abb. 4 ine Kondessrefende B-17G mit offenen Bombenklappen. Der gropite Mangel der "Festungen"°-und dies galt fur alle Modelle- ‘bestand darin, dass se als Mitelstrecken-Bomber kon:ipiert worden ‘war, und gleich sien der letzten Phase des Krieges in der Lage war, ‘bis: 9A3Skg. Bomben durch den Einsat:auplerer Bombenauphnge- wovrichtungen zu tragen, geschah das allerdings auf ‘Kosten der Reichveite. Die normale Bombenladung bei Langsirechen-einsitzen var nur T-8TSKs. Abb. § Die B17G erreichte von allen Modellen der “Flegenden Festung” die hochsten Produkilons-cahlen, die sich auf 8.680 Deligfen. Das obige Bild zeigt cine Maschine des 524. Bomber- eschonaders, 379. Bombergruppe, der 8. Lufifiote, in Kimbolvon, Huntingdonshire taionier. Ab.6 “Festungen’” des 447. Bombergeschwaders, der &. Lufifowe vom Rattlesdon, Suffolk, bel einem Probecinsar: uber bast Anglia. Abb. 7 Bomben frei! “Festungen” des 613. Bombergeschwaders, 401. Bombergruppe, von Deenetherpe, Northampionshre, wihrend eines Luftangrff. Die "401", welche B17Gs far alle Kampfeinisatce Bombenangriffen. Abb. 8 B17G SCM des 612. Bombergeschwaders, 401. Born -gruppe, der 8. Lufflote, beim Uberflug der Forschungsanstalt fur die Entwicklung der V-Waffen In Peeneminde an der balschen Kuste fam 25. August 1944. Bombenangriffe mit der 6 Gruppe der 15 US Luftflotte aus, die in Sid-Italien stationiert war. Wo sie auch im- ‘mer cingesetzt wurden, schienen sie in der Lage zu sein, scheinbar vernichtende Gefechtsschaden hinzunehmen und dennoch flugtdchtig genug zu bleiben, um heil nach Hause zu “‘humpeln”. Viel B-17Gs der 8 Luftflotte fuhrten mehr als 100 Kampfeinsatze aus, dabei hatte die Maschine 42-0003 (Spitzname “Ol Gappy”) des $47. Bombergeschwaders der 379. Gruppe, cine klare Spitzenposition. Sie flogein Einsatze und Oberstand den Krieg. Einige USAAF B-17Gs wurden als Transport- flugzeuge — umgebaut, — wogegen andere zu Sonderflugzeugen fur die Seerettung entwickelt wurden, und deshalb mit einer Fallschirmschlauchboot-Schlinge unter dem Bombenschacht, und manchmal mit einem Radar-Suchgerat in der Rumpfnase ausgerdistet wurden, Die groBe Mehrzahl der B-17Gs wurde bald nach Kriegsende verschrottet, aber einige standen bei der USAAF/USAF, der US Marine und der US Kusten- wache, sowie bei mehreren auslandischen Luftwaffen im Dienst, Andere wiederum hatten ganz verschiedenar- lige Rollen, 2.B. als Flugzeugmotorenteststande, als Verkehrsflugzcuge, und als Maschinen fur den Abwurf von Chemikalien bei der Waldbrandkaimpfung. Pro- duktionszahlen fur die B-17G erreichten 8.680, von denen 4.035 von Boeing, 2.395 von Douglas und 2.250 von Vega gebaut wurden. Abb. 9 Bine 117 des 524. Bombergeschwaders, 379. Bombergruppe ‘von Kjmbotion, Huntingdonshire. Die "379" deren Operationen mit B-I7E Maschinen anfingen, fubrie mehr Einstze durch, und warf ln _areres Gesamigewicht an Bomben ab, al alle anderen Rombergrup- en der 8. Lufiftowe. (bh 10 Di hake Leouaftipl ox “BY Karl (Bese Vepa-Douglas) scherte die reibungsiose Massenherstllung “‘esumgen” wahrend det Zweiten Weltrlegs. Diese nagelneue Maschine, bei Versuchen aufgenommen, war eine von 2.250 G-Modelen, die von der Vega Aircraft Corporation gebaut wurden, einer Tochtergesellichaft im Alleinbesitz von Lockheed. ‘Abb. 11 H17G WEA dex 364. Bombergeschwaders, 305, Bombergruppe, der 8. Lutfi, das in Grafton, Underwood, Nor. ‘hampton stationtert war. Die °°308", die den Spltznamen “*Wird ‘eemacht” trug, erltt die gropten Verlute bei dem novorischen “Angrif] auf Schweinfurt am 14. Oktober 1943 (siehe 8.26) und aus diesem Grund wurde thr eine Nazi-Fahne ibergeben, die noch in jener ‘Stadt wehte, als sie von US-Truppen eingenommen wurde. Abb. 12. B7Gs der 401. Bombergruppe, der 8. Luffione stehen Startbereit auf dem Flugplat: in Deenethorpe am 19. Marz 1948, Abb. 13 Eine B-17G der 381. Bombergruppe, in Ridgewell, Essex, sationier, welche von allen Gruppen die schwersten Verluste ~ 11 Maschinen ~ bei dem ersten Angriff auf Schoeinfurt (am 17. August 1943) ert. Kodebuchstaben” GD beceichnen das S34. Bombergeschwader. Abb. 14. 30K. Napalbomben werden in die sog. “*E-ratvicator"* ('Mattentoter), $2-39930 der 482. Bombergruppe des 730. Bomben- ‘eschwaders geen (diese Maschine hatte diesem Zetpunk schon 12S Einsitce hinter sich) auf dem Flugplat: ia Deopharm Green, Nor- Jolk, im April 148, tn diesem Monat wurden diese Flammdbcaffon ‘um ersten Mal von der 8. Lufiflote cingesett. Abb. 1S Bin gutes Foro einer 8-17, welches die rahmenlose ‘Nasenkancel aux Pleriglass und den Bendix “Kinn"-Geschatciurm ‘mit Fam Zoilings MG cele Abb. 16 Nahaufnahme des Kanzeldachs, der Beobachwungskuppel lund des oberen Bendix Geschussiurms.‘Abb, 17 Nahaufnahme der oberen_ lichen. Besonders Deachtenswert sind die dunkelgrinen Blendschirme an den ‘Motorhauben und an der Rumpjnase, die schwarcen Streen an den Traghlachen, welche Tritleisien zeigen, und die Entisungskappen aus schiearcem Gummi, die an den Vorderkanten der auperen Tragflachen angebracht waren (diese waren auch am Leitwerk fests. Abb. 18 & 19 Ein Sperry “Kugel"-Geschitciurm. Embryo-artig ingeroll, lenkte der Sehiize (der swangslaufig von hleiner Gestalt Sein muBie) die MG-Bewegungen durch Hand- und Fusshebeln. ‘Abb. 20. Werkfoto der Geschit-Stellung und der backbordsetigen Rumpjmitie einer von Vega gebauten Festung”. Stelungen und Laeten ser Rumpfmite MGs gab es bel B17 in verscledenen ‘Abb. 21 Urspringlicher Hech-"Stachel"-Geschiteturm. Abb. 22 Meck-"*Stachel"-Gesehitzturm Typ Cheverme. Abl.23 Nahaufnahime des backbordseitien Laufradfahrwerks. BILDTAFEL 1 Bocing B-I7G 835. Bombergeschwader, 486. Bombergruppe, 8. Luftflott, April 1948 (1) 339163 wurde von Boeing als Teil der Produktionssrie B-17G- 10S-BO gebaut. Der “Cheyenne” Geschitzturm wurde im. ‘Werk eingebaut, die Rumpfmitte MG-Luken aber, obgleich sie mit dem spateren Fensteriyp versehen waren, wurden noch nicht versetztangeordnet wie bei spateren Modelien (@) 339163 wurde bet einem Luftangriff auf den Flugplatz Par~ chhim abgeschossen () Unterseite des Auentils der backbordsetigen Tragfliche {G) Untersete des AuSenteils der steverbordseiigen Tragfache BILDTAFEL 2 ‘Tragflachen-Untersete und Fahrwerk (1) Position des Hoheitssterns und Balkens auf jeder Seite des ‘Rumpfs bei Maschinen mit parallelen Rumpfmitte-MGs (@) Position des Hoheitsabzeichens nur an der Steuerbordscite bei Maschinen mit versetzt angeordneten Rumpfmitte-MGs (@) Typische Reifen Muster {@) Enteisungskappen (im Dienst oft entfernt) (6) Voll eingefahren—ruhend belastet—voll ausgefahren (6) Splter er Fahrwerkiyp (voll blaster) () Position des Hoheitsabzeichens (Unterscite des Steuerbord:- Flogels. DILDTAFEL 3 Rumpf und Leitwerk (1) Blaue Formationsichter {@) Vordere Einstig-Luke fir Besatzung (G) Binzichbarer Windschutz (@) Weibes Licht auf beiden Seiten des Leitwerks (6) Hinteransicht des Geschatzturms um 90° geet (6) 3°.5" Anstellwinkel () Enteisungskappen (im Dienst oft entfernt) (8) Cheyenne” Gesehtaturm (©) Blitabschirmungs-Vorrichtungen (10) Binsteig-Luke fr hinteren MG-Sehutzen (11) Ursprungliche (offene) MG-Luke mit Schiebefenster (12) Drauficht der MG-Lke (endgultiger Typ) (13) Verkurzte Rumpfnase (spaterer Typ) ‘Technische Daten Triebwerk: Vier Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone luftgekithlte Sternmotoren. Hdchstleistung bei Start je 1.200 PS. ‘Abmessungen: Spannweite 31.532mm; Gesamilinge: friihe Modelle 22.784mm, Modelle mit Cheyenne Heck- Geschitaurm —22.657mm; ——_Gesamtflgelflache 132,48mm*. Gewicht: Leergewicht ca. 16.390 kg bei 7.260m; nor- males Einsatzgewicht ca: 29.713kg mit 2.722kg. Bombenlast. Abb. 24 Blick mach varne, dicht hinter dem einciehbaren Spornrad ‘aufgenommen. ‘Ab 28. Teilansicht von aufgestapelten B-17G Maschinen in einem USAAF Exsateellager bel Munchen, in der amerikanischen Besai- ‘umgszone Deutschlands arm 19. ull 1948, ‘Abls, 26 Eine schwarcgestrichene “Festung” BI der 100. Gruppe, RAF Bomberflowte, mit Radio- und Radar-Storgerdten ausgerdstet, ‘ur Untersturzung der Schwerbomber der Haupthampfeinlt Abb. 27. Diese sogenannte Boeing Modell 2992 (ursprnglich die von Vega gebaute B-17G 44-88734) wurde 1946 als legendes Ver- suchslador zur Exprobung des 5.800 PS Pratt and Whitney XT-¥4 Turbopropmotors umgebaut. Die militarischen Vorrichtungen ‘wurden entfernt, der Fihrerraum wurde nach hnten versetz und der XT3S Motor’ ~ krifilger als alle vier Standarimotoren ‘ausammengenomunen-wurde’in die zu diesem Zeck modifier Rumpfnase eingebaut. Eine ewelte von Vega gebaute B-17G wurde in ‘in 2297 umgebaut Jisr Probeflige des $.500 PS Wright XT-35 Typhoon Turbopropmotors. (14) Blitzabschirmungs-Vorrichiung (13) Binsteigtr for Besatzung (16) Spornrad vol eingezogen (17) Position der steerbordsetigen MG-Luke vor Versetzung der ‘Anordnung (18) Draufsicht der feuheren eingerahmien MG-Luke (19) Position der Fuhrung fur Antenne {Q0) Getelte Windschuteschee(spaterer Typ) {Q) Draufsict des Hintertils der Geschatzturm-Verkleidung (22) Fohrung fur Schleppantenne BILDTAFEL 4 ‘Tragtlachen-Oberseiten (1) 3°.S" Anwellwinkel {Q) Position des Gitterwerks an der Steuerbord-Tragfliche () Position des Hobeitsterns und Balkens (Oberseite der + Backbord-Tragfliche) (@) Landescheinwerfer an beiden Flageln () Trimmkante nur am Backbord-Fligel ©) Luftenlas ©) Lufteiniade (8) AuBenseite der inneren Motorhaube (@) Zar Beacheung: Backbord- & Steuerbord-Motorhauben sind Spiegelverkehrt, (10) Auensete der auBeren Motorhaube BILDTAFEL § (1) Eine yon Bocing gebaute B-17G des 353, Bombergeschwaders, 301. Bombergruppe, 12. Lufifloue (2) Enentalls eine von Boeing gebaute B-17G G der 12. Lufifloe Diese Maschine gehorte der 463. Bombergruppe. Der urspringliche Heck-Geschatzturm wurde durch einen “Cheyenne” Turm ersetz; die neue Verkeleidung erhielt Jedoch Keinen Ansrich Eine von Douglas gebaute B-17G des 524 Bombergeschwaders, 379. Bombergruppe, 8. Luftlotte (4) Oberseite der steverbvodseitigen Traghache (S) Von Vega gebaute B-17G des 600.Bombergeschwaders, 398. Bombergruppe, 8.Luftflotte. Dieses Flugzeug war ein ‘Pfadfinder und wurde mit einer Radarkuppel satt des Kugel- ‘Gesehtzturms ausgerdstet (6) Postion der Geschwader-Buchstaben an der Backbordscite ) Eine von Boeing gebaute B-17G des $32. Bombergeschwaders, 81.Bombergruppe, &.Luftlote ° Leistung: Hochsigeschwindigkeit ca, 462km/h_ bei 7.260m; normale Operationsgeschwindigkeit 266-298km/h; Steigleistung auf 6.096 mit 29.713kg Startgewicht ' bei idealer Wetterlage 37 Minuten; Dienstgepfelhohe 10.851m. Bewaffnung: Dreizehn 12,7mm MGs ~ je zwei in den “Kin”, “Kugel”, Ober-und Heck-Geschitzttrmen, je eins in ‘den “*Backen" der Rumpfnase und in den Rumpfmitte-Luken, Dazu noch ein einziges MG im Funkerraum, das im Herbst 1944 aus dem Einsatz und danach aus der Produktion genommen wurde. Einzel- heiten der Bombenladung sind im Haupttext angegeben.BOEING B-17G FLYING FORTRESS by Philip J. R. MoyesFigs. 243 Serving as prototype of the B-17G was this Boeing-bult B-17F, 4230631, taken from the production line and modified to incorporate the Bendix chin turret, revised side gum ports and certain other refinements, mostly internal. White rectangles were added to US star Insignia In ‘uly 1943, Surrounding red border was used only (September and was then replaced by blue. 142Fig. 4 A contralling B-17G with its bomb doors open. The Fort’s main failing—and this applied 10 all models—was that it was designed as a ‘medlum bomber and although later in the war it was capable of carrying as much as 20,8000 (9485hx) of bombs by utilising external racks, 1 could ‘only do seat the expense of range. Normal bomb load on long-range missions was ony 4,0000 (181Sks). Six and a half years before America entered the Second World War, the Boeing Model 299 (US Army Air Corps designation’ B-17) first took to the air . A giant in its day, the nearly 104ft (31632mm) span four-engined plane had been designed to meet an Air Corps require- ment for a long-range maritime patrol bomber to protect America’s coastline, and the fact that it fairly bristled with machine-gun emplacements led to it being named by the press the ‘Flying Fortress"’—the name soon afterwards being registered by Boeing for the plane, The bomber that was to become legendary first saw action not with the USAAF (as the USAAC was re- named in 1941) but with the RAF when, in July 1941 90 Squadron of 2 Group, Bomber Command, intro- duced a handful of B-17Cs (RAF name Fortress Is) on high-altitude daylight raids against “fringe” targets in northern Europe. Despite warnings from the Americans, they were mostly operated in ones, twos and threes, rather than in larger formations where their combined crossfire would have given them added protection from enemy fighters, and partly because of this and partly due to technical reasons the whole exercise was @ sad and costly mistake. Meanwhile, Boeing had produced two successive improvements on the B-17C: the D and E models, the latter, first flown in September 1941, incor porating a redesigned aft end to improve firepower and stability at altitude. The E was the first model to have the large dorsal fin which became a Fortress “trademark”? and it first went into action on 2 April 1942 when, operating with the US 7th Air Force based in India, it attacked Jap targets in the Andaman Islands. In August 1942 the UK-based US 8th Air Force opened its bombing campaign against Hitler's “Festung, Europa’ with B-17Es. However, before the year was out the 8th’s E models were being supplanted in first line use by the vastly superior BI7-F which, although nearly idemtical to its predecessor externally (the frame- less Plexiglass nosepiece was the most noticeable new feature) did in fact incorporate some 400 design changes mostly internal and affecting most of the major com. ponents; these included uprated Wright Cyclone engines (R-1820-97s), sclf-sealing oil tanks, additional fuel capacity, an improved oxygen system, and an electronic link between the autopilot and the Norden bomb sight The 8th AF’s initial strike against the German homeland was made by B-I7Fs when, on 27 January 1943, Wilhelmshaven and Emden were attacked, More raids on Germany followed, and not surprisingly the Luftwaffe fighters reacted strongly. Gradually they devised successful tactics for attacking the Forts from less heavily defended quarters, including head-on, and American losses began to mount during the spring of 1943. As the months went by, the FW190s and Me109s fought fierce battles with the increasingly large numbers of B-175 that penetrated deep into German airspace far 143Fig, 5 The B-17G was the most-produced Flying Fortress of all, with a total of 8,680 built. This example was from the S24th BS, 37%h BG, Sih AF, based at Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, Fig. 6 Forts of the 447th BG, 8th AF, from Rattlesden, Suffolk, on a practice mission ‘ver the Fast Anglian countryside.Fig. 7 Bombs away! Forts of the 615rd BS, Mls! BG, from Deene- ‘thorpe, Northamptonshire, in action. The 401s, which flew B-I7Gs through: ut its WW2 combat career, had the ‘second-best rating in bombing accuracy inthe Sth AF. Fig. 8 B7G.SCM of the 612th BS, 401s. BG, 8h AF, over the V-weapons ‘research establishment at Peenemide, ‘onthe Balti cous, 25 August 1944NPB ia Fig. 94 BLI7G of the $24 BS, 370th BG from Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, The 379th, which besan operations with B-17E, flew more sorties and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other group in the 8th AF. beyond the range of their erstwhile fighter escort, The stepped-up “boxes”? of Forts suffered crippling losses on occasions, as was the case during the notorious raid of 17 August 1943 when, out of 376 B-I7s despatched to the Messerschmitt ‘fighter assembly plant at Regensburg and the ball-bearing plant at Schweinfurt, 660 were shot down by flak and fighters and a further 35 damaged beyond repair. And again on 14 October when, in a second strike against Schweinfurt, 60 Forts, were missing and 17 others damaged beyond repair out of a force of 291 sent out. (The 30Sth Bomb Group based at Chelveston, Northants, lost 13 out of the 16 Forts despatched), This second Schweinfurt raid ended what became known in USAAE circles as “Black Week’”—8 to 14 October 1943—and left the 8th AF with only about 200 first-line heavy bombers fit to fly, Fig. 10. Smooth-functioning Boeing-Vega-Douglas By now the B-17F was being supplanted in first-line service by the even better B-17G which, in an effort to counter the German head-on attacks, featured a twin 0.50in (12.7mm) machine-gun Bendix ‘chin’ turret. This turret, which was operated from inside the fuselage by the bombardier using remote control apparatus, was in fact seen on some of the last Douglas-built B-17Fs. —which, incidentally, were always regarded as B-17Gs by the 8th AF. Installation of the chin turret meant that the streamlined fairing housing the direction-finding loop had to be resited, so it was placed just forward of the bomb bay and slightly to the left of the fuselage centreline, Other external changes were that the two pitot-static masts, which on the B-17F had been Positioned on each side of the nose, were replaced by a single pitot-pressure mast on the nose entrance door and. YD" pool turned out Forts by the thousands in WW2. This brand new plane, seen on tes, wat one of 2,250 G-models built by Vega Alrcraft Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidary of Lockheed. 146PLATE 1 BOEING 8-176 35th BOMB SQUARON — 486th BOMB GROUP. 8th AIR FORCE APRIL. 1945, 29163 WAS BOEING BUILT BEING PART OF BLOCK B-17G-105-80 THE “CHEYENNE” TAIL TURRET WAS, FITTED AS ORIGINAL BUT ALTHOUGH THE WAIST GUNS HAD THE LATE TYPE WINDOWS ADDED THEY REMAINED UNSTAGGERED 399163 WAS LOST DURING A RAID ON PARCHIM AIRFIELD ON 7 APRIL 1945 © UNDERSIDE OF PORT WING TIP UNDERSIDE OF STARBOARD WING TIP RESEARCH: A. GRANGER © ARTWORK: ROY MILLS 147flush-mounted static fittings, one above the other, in the same area on the starboard side. Besides the chin turret, another standard armament feature of the B-17G—although some examples lacked it—was the provision of projecting windows for the side-mounted or ‘‘cheek’” nose guns. This, too, was inherited from the late-production B-17F, but the positions of the windows were reversed in the G model so that the port gun was in the forward window and the starboard gun on the second one, The B-17G also incorporated modifications to the navigator's facilities, including a larger table with map shelf above, swivel chair to aid access, and a step beneath the astro-dome to aid taking sights. Many further changes were made to the G model during production, including the staggering of the two waist gun positions—with that on the starboard side being further forward than hitherto— and the fitting of glazed windows to protect the gunners from the icy blast which had hitherto rushed in at them. Another change involving armament was the introduction of a new tail gun installation originally devised by the Cheyenne Modification Centre in Wyoming, to which production Fortresses were sent for modifications prior to despatch to combat units. This installation, which reduced the B-17G's overall length by sin (127mm), enabled the twin 0.50in (12.7mm) hand-operated guns to be manipulated to cover a much larger field of fire and featured a reflector sight in place of the old ring and bead, It also gave the gunner more room and better visibility. ‘The new tail-gun installation was also incorporated, retrospectively, in many B-17Gs in service. 143 Fig. 11 RI7G WEA of the s6uh BS, 305th Gy 8th AF, which as based at Grajton "Under Northants. Known as the “Can Do ‘group, the SOSH suffered the heaviest Toss inthe infamous 14 October 1943 Schweinfurt mission (see p. 146) and for this reason was given Nazi flag ound ‘ying tn that cy when cap ‘ured by US troops. Fig. 12. B-17Gs of the 40181 BG, 4h AB, on the line at Deenethorpe on 19 March 1945 On later production B-17Gs the radio operator’s gun mounting was incorporated in an enclosed window after the style of the waist guns, but towards the end of production the gun was deleted altogether, this defence point having become regarded as of little practical value, Yet another production line modifica- tion was the fitting of all-electric controls for the turbo. superchargers (previously hydraulic) ‘The B-17G was the last production model of the B-17 serics—all higher designations to B-17P_ being con. versions—and it was by far the most numerous, a total of 8,680 being built. Of these 4,035 were built by Boeing, 2,395 by Douglas and 2,250 by Vega, with production ceasing in April, June and July 1945 respectively. At the peak of B-I7 production in June 1944, Boeing alone was turning out 16 G models every 24 hours, Delivery of the new chin-turreted Fortresses to the USAAF began in September 1943, the first examples being the previously mentioned | Douglas-built late series Fs (B-17F-70-DLs, °-75-DLs and '-80-DLs) which, the Air Force preferred to call Gs, although true Gs soon followed. Both types began operations with the 8th AF early in October, and thus were operating along- side the older B-17Fs when the second strike against ‘Schweinfurt took place, on the 14th, In November the first USAAF bomber group to be sent to Europe with the B-17G as original equipment, the 401st BG, reached the 8th AF, and although bad weather conditions greatly interfered with the bombing offensive during that winter, it was not long before the 8th, thanks to growing numbers of new Forts and also the advent ofARRANGEMENT OF BOENG BATE [SeNERAL Stan 8 8aR ON torn Sibes,0n @ | ainceaeT wire ‘UNSTAGCERED WAIST GUNS, LOCATION oF TWPICAL TREAD PATTERNS. —— FULLY COMPRESSED snare tod FULLY EXTENDED “ware wee ©) / woencanninse f (ruLto PLATE 2 Sane MR, . rt WING UNDERSURFACE | | (uNoensive oF & UNDERCARRIAGE . Sranaoano Wo) BOEING B-I7G ‘SCALE 42.J i X x Lae TyPE rvioen wnoscreen@®___ PLATE 3 BOEING B-I7G FUSELAGE & TAIL UNIT. 150 ORIGINAL OPEN GUN HATCH WITH SLIDING WINDOW) — <5 re TYPE GUN HATCH -—-——J rot ree NE a) DEFLECTOR 3) | @ FRAMED TYPE cun Marcu ‘RETRACTABLE WIND NEWED FROM ABOVE) | aa |___Fan 7A WED FROM ABOVE) La ay, I f LOCATION OF AERIAL FAIRLEAD | —— ee —— Z| | e=— FAIRLEAD 2) Ay A F T 3 Po 1S1[GENERAL ARRONGEMENT for voene 8-6 sneer 1 oF 3 oat St ot ON eh | / rao a | WL WHEL WN Cade, CS ss oe AR ol PON 4 - = 7 Location of LT On ue @ YEW on Re oF er fan x Lae re owaen wwosceen®___ | Ca PLATE 3 = ut BOEING B-I7G at FUSELAGE & TAIL UNIT. fa a3: Pare e-ene woot \\ Ea MANET TURNED THRGUGH 90" \ Geter \\ | | mown Rea MEE cn) | = a . eo ae ZS FRA TYPE can wat Gp) VIEWED FROM ABOVE) 4 3 Location oF aol y el AERIAL FAIRLEAD faavseo rye ou aren ® (uteweo Frov aBove) Z rire 1ssneer 3 or 2 [GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF BOEING B-17@ i) LANDING LIGHTS: + © tw porn wings — Ou ace Tl ‘OUTBOARD SIDE OF INBOARD NACELLE. (8) w3: NOTE FORT & STARBOARD NACELLES ARE MIRROR IMAGES. @) _ | =~ OUTBOARD SIDE \ 4 @ an Seevrgonnd || i ie Wee, I WFO Yun nrades @) seaue 72 PLATE 4. WING TO} ® LOCATION OF GRILL ‘ON STARBOARD WING +—- | T 152Fig. 13. Suffering the highest losses of all groups—11 aireraft—in the first Schweinfurt mission (17 August 1943) was the 381st BG, based at Ridgewell, Essex, one of whose B-17Gs ts shown. Codes GD denote S340 BS. the peerless Mustang long-range escort fighter, was able to make its presence over Germany really felt, The Mustang's capacity to take two pressurised underwing drop tanks which would permit it to fly nearly 1,500 miles (2414km) with a speed loss of only about 35mph. (56.3km/h) had been seen to exist by September 1943, but it was not until after the second Schweinfurt disaster that sufficiently drastic action was taken to realise it ‘The Mustangs came into operational service with the 8th AF in December 1943 (see Aerodata International ‘No 3) and by March 1944 they had worked up sufficient Fig. 14 Stey-five pound (29.48he) napalm bombs zo aboard the 730th BS, 4S2nd BG's E-rat-ica range to give the bombers cover during their daylight raids on Berlin which were made in conjunction with RAF Bomber Command’s night attacks on the “Big City". American bomber losses were still heavy at times —although never prohibitive—but now the German fighters were forced to strike wherever and whenever they could instead of being able to wait until the bombers were beyond the limit of their fighter cover range. Furthermore, all the other American and British escort fighters, the Lightnings, Thunderbolts and even the Spitfires, began to get opportunities of engaging the enemy, (4239930), then a veteran of 125 missions, at ‘Deopham Green, Norfolk, in April 1945, the month in which these jelled petrol weapons were fist employed by the 8th AF. 153PLATES UNIT MARKINGS SCALE 1/144 BOEING-AUILT 8 17G OF 353d BS 301st BG 12th AF THIS AIRCRAFT BELONGED TO 463rd BG. THE ORIGINAL TAIL TURRET WAS REPLACED BY A “(CHEYENNE” TURRET, THE NEW SKINNING BEING LEFT UNPAINTED a) on DOUGLAS-BUILT B-17G OF 524th BS - ' 379th BG SAP UPPER SURFACE ~ STARBOARD WING| LIM. . 1 © Cc VEGA-BUILT 8-17G OF 600th 8S 388th BG 8th AF THIS AIRCRAFT WAS A PATHFINDER & WAS FITTED WITH A RADOME IN PLACE OF THE BALL TURRET luPPER SURFACE STARBOARD WING | fo ~ etaame oo , owe a J @® tocation oF savavnon | UPPER SURFACE CODES ON PORT SIDE PERERA RAC ' ] a) ) ~ a a BOEING-BUILT 8-176 OF 532nd BS aaist BG RESEARCH: A, GRANGER ©» ‘th AF ARTWORK: ROY MILLS 154Fig. 1S Good shot of the B-176's frameless Plesigiass nosepiece and the ‘on 30 calibve Bendix chin turret “so visible are the twa 80 calibre cheek quns Fig. 16 Close up of cockpit canopy, ‘observation dome and Bendix upper By September 1944 the 8th AF’s operational Fortress clement had reached its peak wartime strength with a total of 26 groups, all flying B-17Gs. By then, too, the despatch of over 1,000 Forts on a single day's opera- tions had become a common event, and on Christmas Eve 1944 an all-time record for the type was reached when exactly 1,400 were sent to attack airfields and sntres in western Germany. Flak was now the Forts’ chief antagonist, rather than fighters, the Germans having developed higher-firing weapons ‘and gun-laying radar to ensure more accurate shooting, and it was this which, on the B-17s" final bombing operations with the 8th AF on 25 April 1945, claimed each of the six bombers lost; the Forts" target was the Skoda armament factory and a nearby airfield in Czechoslovakia, B-17Gs also flew bombing missions with six groups of the 15th Air Force based in southern Italy and operating against targets in southern France, Germany and the Balkans. Crew of the B-17G usually numbered ten men same as for the E and F—although one of the waist gunners was dispensed with in Europe in late 1944 when enemy air activity declined. The Fort’s main failing— and this applied to all models—was that it was designed as a medium bomber and although later in the war it was capable of carrying as much as 20,800Ib (9,435kg) of bombs by making use of external racks, it could only do so at the expense of range. Normal bomb load on long-range missions was 4,000Ib (1815kg)—the same as that of the RAF’s Mosquitos which regularly made a nightly nuisance of themselves over Berlin and else- where—while in practice maximum loads on short- 155Fig. 17 Some topsurface details Note particularly the dark-green anti ‘lare panels on che engine nacelles and nose, black sripes on wings indleaing ‘walkway, and black rubber deleer boots applied to leading edges of outer wings these were also present on ail sme. Figs. 18 & 19 Sperry ball turet Garled inside Uke an embryo, the gunner (who was, of necessity, not a large man) controlled movement of ‘guns by hand and foot pedals, 156Fig. 20 Factory shot of port side waist gun position of a Veqa-bult Fortress. Several distinct sojes of veaistqun positions/mountings were seen on BITC range missions were in the region of 6,000Ib (2722ke), with which the plane's all-up weight was about 65,000Ib (29713kg). Another problem with the Fortress was that it tended to catch fire all too easily when hit by enemy gunfire; more Forts probably fell vietims of raging wing fires than through any other cause. The fire hazard apart, the Fort had a capacity for absorbing seemingly fatal amounts of battle damage and still stay in the air to limp safely home. For example, on 7 April 1945 a Messerschmitt 109 collided in mid-air with an 8th AF B-I7G of the 100th BG—the famous ‘Bloody Hundredth—whereupon the Fort lost most of its port horizontal stabiliser and the tip of its fin and rudder as well as receiving several slashes from the fighter's propeller. The Fort continued on to bomb its target in Germany and returned to base at Thorpe Abbotts in Norfolk—with the tail gunner com- pletely unaware of the collision until it landed! To cite another example of the Fort’s ruggedness, the 398th BG's B-17G serial number 43-38172 had a flak shell penetrate its chin turret and explode in the nose over Fig. 21. Original tail “stinger”. Cologne on 15 October 194; yet although much of the nose was blown off, cockpit instruments and oxygen system rendered useless and the plane's interior sub- jected to a sub-zero gale, the pilot, Ist Lt Lawrence De Dancey, brought it back home’ to Nuthampstead in Hertfordshire, Many B-17s of the 8th AF completed more than 100 bombing missions, among these stalwarts being 42-31662 Fancy Nancy IV of the 612nd BS/401st BG with 134 missions; 42-97210 Jamaica Ginger of the S63rd BS/388th BG with 137; 43-37756 Milk Wagon of the 708th BS/447th BG with 129; 42-31501 Ole Miss Desiry of the 366th BS/30Sth BG with 138; and 42-0003 1’ Gappy of the 542nd BS/379th BG whose tally of 157 missions is believed to be a record unequalled by any other &th AF bomber. Incidentally, all five of the Forts just listed survived the war. Four B-17Gs in the 91st BG —the “Ragged Irregulars’—based at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire completed the impressive total of 536 missions between them, These veterans were Hi Ho Silver (serial and squadron unknown) with 130 missions; Fig. 22. Cheyenne-type tal “singer”: 187it. 23 Detail of port mainwheel gear. Fig. 24 {forward from close behind the retractable tailwheel View looking 42-31909 Nine-o-Nine of the 323rd BS with 140; 42-31636 Outhouse Mouse of the 323rd BS with 139; and 42-3233 Wee Willie of the 32nd BS with 127. The first three survived the war but Wee Willie fell to flak on its 128th mission, Outhouse Mouse, by the way, had the doubtful distinction of being the first B-17 to be attacked by a Messerschmitt 163 rocket fighter, on 16 August 1944, A number of B-17Gs were supplied to the RAF in World War 2 and mainly served with 214 and 223 Squadrons of 100 (Bomber Support) Group, based in East Anglia, whose job was to protect the Lancasters, and Halifaxes of Bomber Command's main force by waging, with various electronic countermeasure devices, a strange war in the ether—jamming or interfering with, the German radar and radio signals and with the ground controllers’ radio-telephone instructions to the night fighters, USAAF counterparts of these ECM aircraft, which were known as Fortress BIlls, were operated by the 8th AF in its day bombing offensive. Some USAAF B-I7Gs were converted for use as transports, whilst others became specialised air-sea rescue planes with parachute lifeboats slung under the bomb bays and, sometimes, search radar under the nose; such types were used not only in Europe but also —following the B-17’s withdrawal from combat in that theatre—the Pacific At least one B-17G was operated by the Luftwaffe's notorious Ist Staffel of Kampfgeschwader 200(1/KG200) after falling into German hands in flyable condition early in 1944, Using an assortment of aircraft, 1/KG200 was engaged primarily in ferrying and supply ing agents in enemy territories, and the B-17G, in keeping with the plane’s clandestine role, was given the cover name Dornier 200 like the other B-17s of the unit, With the end of WW2, the majority of surviving USAAF B-17Gs were flown home to the USA, and after languishing for varying periods in vast suplus aircraft parks, notably Kingman (Arizona) and Walnut Ridge (Arkansas) they invariably went to the melting pot. However, some aircraft did find postwar employ- ‘ment with the USAAF/USAF, US Navy and US Coast Guard; and also with various foreign air forces such as those Of Israel (which took some into action in 1948, during that country's War of Independence), Brazil, France, Portugal and Denmark. Several G models were converted for civil transport use in various parts of the world, others being adapted for such differing roles as, aerial’ survey and mapping, chemical bomber for fighting forest fires, and flying test beds for new aero engines SPECIFICATION Powerplant: Four Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone air-cooled radial engines rated at a maximum 1,200hp each for take off. Dimensions: Span 103ft 9"/in (31632mm); length, early a/e 74ft 9in (22784mm), a/c with Cheyenne tail turret Taft din (22657mm); wing area 1,426sq ft (132.48 ‘sq metres), Weight: (Empty) approx 36,135Ib (16390kg). (general combat) approx 65,500Ib | (29713kg) with 6,0001b 2722kg) of bombs. Performance: Max speed approx 287mph (462km/h) at 25,000ft (7620m); operational cruising speed 165 185mph (266-298km/h); time to 20,000ft (6096m) at 65,500Ib (29713kg) take-off weight under ideal con. ditions 37min; service ceiling 35,600ft (10851m), Armament: Thirteen 0.50in (12.7mm) calibre guns. two each in chin, upper, ball and tail turrets, one each in nose cheek positions and waist windows, Also a single gun in radio compartment, deleted during late 1944 by ‘combat units and later from production a/c. Bomb load details are given in main text bac pee beeen! a EN peeesee pee en, pees Seo Re SeCe se + pee, eat 4+ aa . a Se? oes te tt ++ =" a eit a Fig.28 Part of stockpile of B-17Gs ata USAAF replacement depot ‘near Munich in the American-occupled tone of Germany, 19 July 1945, Fig, 26 A black-painted Fortress BIIT of No 100 Group, RAF Bomber Command, equipped with radio and radar jamming devices for use in support of the heavy bombers ofthe main force. 159a eRe ee ee ee ee ed Potty Pee amet ne mr aia eat Yr rs Oe CL Th rem ae ny neen OR eee ar (rR ee oe ose eer eae ot CL en aL ey ay ae ee ee ee ee