![B-17E in flight // Wikipedia Commons [Public Domain]](https://b17flyingfortress.de/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Color_Photographed_B-17E_in_Flight-1024x672.jpg)
B-17E in flight // Wikipedia Commons [Public Domain]
The first of the “Big Ass” B-17’s arrived England to equip the US 8th Air Force in July 1942. All the planes had been modified with enlarged gun windows and 0.50-calibre guns on either side of the nose. Further modifications were made to them after they were operational including work on the radio, bomb rack, lighting, oxygen, extinguisher and survival systems. By the time the B-17E had been shipped across the Atlantic, newer models were already coming off the Boeing production line. In fact, the B-17E was only on full combat status for just over two weeks before the appearance of the B-17F’s
The B-17E was not used in great numbers for combat because the F model was so different in performance that it made joint operations, using both planes unlikely. The B-17E took a back seat and was eventually esed as a trainer, a transport and a target-tower. With its armaments removed it could give better handling and speed.
Delivered Cheyenne 28/5/42; Wayne 5/7/42; Dorval 6/7/42; Gander-Prestwick 17/7/42 with Ed Newkirk, to RAF [FL464]; 59 Sq (PJ-E) Chivenor and Thorney Is.; 31 12/42; 220 Sq (ZZ-Y) Benbecula, then coded (NR-C painted 2-C) when in Lagens, Azores 29/2/44; 519 Sq (Z9-B) Wick, Scot. 9/12/44; 251 Sq (-E) Reykjavik, Iceland, 1/8/45; Struck Off Charge 22/12/45. CLEOPATRA.
Delivered MacDill 29BG 1/5/42; Lawson 11/5/42; Sarasota 23/6/42; Boise 3/8/42; to Kodiak with Alex Katz, but force landed at Fort Glenn, AK 22/11/42; Assigned 36BS/29BG Kodiak (coded-Bronze) 4/2/43; to Memphis MAP 15/6/43; force landed with Dave Bishop 15/8/43; Written off 10/6/44; Recl Comp 13/3/46.
Delivered Lowry 5/3/42; SAD 25/3/42; Written off 4/4/42.
Delivered Sacramento 27/12/41; Assigned 7BG Langley 4/1/42; MacDill 7/1/42 and crash landed 20/4/42. Salvaged 7/8/43.
Delivered Wright Fd 29/1/42; Midland 5/1/43; Wright 21/1/43; Biggs 10/3/43; Wright 13/3/43; Oklahoma City 23/4/43; Wright 29/4/43. Recl Comp 20/3/46.
Assigned 340BS/97BG Polebrook 3/42 as PHYLLIS; col with 41-9051, rep; 92BG Bovingdon 8/42; 303BG Molesworth 1/5/43 and was painted in bright colours as a formation ship; 2SAD Lt Staughton 19/7/44; on cross country trip from Molesworth to Kings Cliffe 23/7/44, with Major Louis Shulstad, Co-pilot: Capt Harry McDaniel, but pilot raised u/c in error in landing (2 Returned to Duty); Salvaged n/battle damaged 27/7/45. PHYLLIS aka TUGBOAT ANNIE (Used as hack by Gp HQ.)
Delivered Pendleton 34BG 9/5/42; Westover 10/7/42; with Fred Stolp force landed Tinker Fd, OK 18/2/44; Recl Comp 28/11/45.
When the Allies left Java, this B-17 was flown to Australia and was still flying combat till the middle of 1942. EL TORO.
Delivered Pendleton 4/2/42; Boise 20/3/42; Cheyenne 19/5/42; Alamogordo 19/6/42; with Bob Beebe in taxi accident,at Gowen 23/2/42, with Carl Morales crashed on take off Alamagordo 17/7/42; Written off 21/7/42;
Delivered McChord 24/12/41; Assigned 7BG Java 15/1/42 with Frederick Key; transferred 28BS/19BG Australia; transferred 30BS/43BG, then 63BS; over 200 missions; Written off 31/8/44. GUINEA PIG.
Help preserve the archive: I invest a lot of time into these research results. If my work helps you, I would appreciate a small tip!
