Posted on 04/18/2023 4:44:17 PM PDT by Jotmo
Well we still have the newer B-52’s flying so we still have offensive capability
According to photos I have the A-36’s that were operating in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy had the four 50’s in the wings like the 51’s but they also mounted an additional 50 on either side of the cowl just aft of the prop. The A36 was a lot like the B model 51 with the “birdcage” canopy.
The big performance difference was that the A36 had an Allison V1710 with no turbo as did the early 51’s. The 51 really came into its own with the Rolls Royce turbocharged Merlin. Both were quite formidable at lower altitudes but the Merlin equipped versions had much better high altitude performance.
My bad. It was called “Fuddy Duddy”.
Pretty dramatic:
RIP to the brave crew.
Ha I have almost the exactly same video, although not of the same good quality you have here.
The pilot stood the plane up on one wing tip in a tight turn directly over Moffett Field while I was standing with my head out the top. Fantastic.
That’s exactly what my Dad said: The B-24 was a better airplane, and a better bomber; but the B-17 was easier to fly.
“Let me guess. He preferred the B 17. My uncle was navigator on a B 24.”
Actually, he preferred the B-24, as he said it was a better aircraft. The Davis wing allowed for greater speed, a heavier bombload, and more maneuverability; but that did require greater skill flying it. I guess my Dad had that skill, because he liked to fly the B-24. He liked the B-17, but preferred the B-24.
I went back to the field the next day just to watch the B17 for a while.
There were another round of flights and just before the first people started to board, cancelled for the day. Some pump failed.
It seemed to have sat for a week before they got the plane fixed.
“B-17s were phased out of the bombing business immediately after the victory in 1945. They did some Air Sea rescue and Transport...They were only used as a bomber until 1946 except a few oddballs here and there like in Israel etc.” [DesertRhino, post 40]
While it’s true that B-17s were removed from the primary mission at the end of the war, they remained in active inventory for many years. As you noted.
Same difference to the maintainers, supply folks and administrative functionaries. Except for weapons and munitions.
Some did duty into the late 1960s as “water bombers” for wildland firefighting. As USFS assets, or provided by private contractors? Couldn’t say.
“According to photos I have the A-36’s that were operating in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy had the four 50’s in the wings like the 51’s but they also mounted an additional 50 on either side of the cowl just aft of the prop...” [FrozenAssets, post 43]
I stand corrected. Focused too tightly on wing guns.
I remember reading that the Germans thought the B-24 were easier to shoot down.
“I remember reading that the Germans thought the B-24 were easier to shoot down.”
Flak was its biggest worry.
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