B-17 Flying Fortress

[Jarink]

Nice overall, but there are several incorrect details. (You asked for it! )
I hope these tips help!

The nose plexiglass on the E should be short with metal reinforcing strips. Also note the sockets for mounting .30 cal MGs. It was common in the USAAF to replace these with the later unframed F nose (when they were available), but less so with the RAF.


There should also be a small window above (almost on the top) the center window on the nose. You need the short 'horn' with the pitot tube.
Large picture showing windows, pitot and nose

Note the framed nose and the astrodome on top of the nose. I have no explanation for the dome other than it was perhaps a field or depot modification. This installation was common on the Fortress IIa (B-17F)


The waist guns and belly turret are both from late G models, not the E. The E used the original wide-open waist gun windows with doors that slid out of the way.


The early ball turrets had a couple more windows on the sides plus often had a plexiglass 'lid' that was fitted on the outside, partially covering the arms that held the sides of the ball (for better aerodynamics, I presume).


It's difficult to tell with this small of a picture, but the props on the E were thinner in chord than the F and G. The Engine cowling was also cut back a little in the later models to make room for the props when feathered.

I'm not sure, but B-17s given to the RAF may have had Sperry bombsights fitted instead of Nordens?

As for some photos of Fortresses flown by Coastal Command, have a look-see at this page.

For general reference:
Color pic of 220 Sqn Fortress II

[gamary]

Are your comments about Inkworm's or mine? I haven't done anything with the B-17 in several months so I assume it's Inkworm's.

[JMSmith]

when you going to do something so i can pick on you GM

[inkworm]

A lot milder than I was expecting but will make life very easy, just got to deal with being away all weekend and someone wants a Sunderland MkIII for Monday before I can return to these.

Anyway it gives people something to pick at until GM even remembers where his profile was saved!

[gamary]

when you going to do something so i can pick on you GM

Soon. I need to go to La Ferté to take pictures of Pink Lady. Then I can resume the work on the B-17 and do a decent job out of it. And then you can start bullying me again.

until GM even remembers where his profile was saved!

I do. In the computer that crashed and was formatted.

[inkworm]

A few things from this week and ok so the last one shouldn't really be in the B-17 thread but I can't be bothered to start a new thread.

[Baron]

wow, nice set of profiles. The last one looks ugly! :-) What was that?

[Jarink]

That would be the XB-15. It was purely an experimental development and the only prototype was converted for cargo duties during WWII as the XC-105.

[inkworm]

wow, nice set of profiles. The last one looks ugly! :-)

Are you call the profile or the aircraft ugly

And on the subject, anyone got info or details of any B 17s captured by the Japanese? I only have one rather poor photo to go by at the moment.

[JMSmith]

try here mate.

Captured B-17