![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 Ogden 23/1/42; Cheyenne 2/3/42; Wayne Co. 5/4/42; RCAF Dorval 8/4/42; Goose Bay to Rejkjavik 9/4/42; to Prestwick 25/6/42 with Dillon Teel RAF [FK186]; never fitted with early ASV; 220 Sq (ZZ-S) Ballykelly 23/7/42; 206 Sq (VX-X) Bebecula 12/8/43; Azores 2/44; 220 Sq (ZZ-S) Lagens, Azores 19/3/44; Struck Off Charge 13/6/45.
Delivered Sebring 4/5/42; Hendericks 27/43; Hobbs 16/11/43; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Albuquerque 16/6/45.
Delivered Sebring 26/3/45; Hendricks 17/3/43; Chicago Munc Apt 9/5/43; Hendricks 7/7/43; Written off 7/7/44.
Delivered Wright Field 20-Oct-41, then condemned 9-Jan- 42 and used as static test aircraft before Written off 12-Oct-42.
Delivered MacDill 6/2/42; West Palm Beach 22/2/42; Assigned 395BS/40BG Rio Hato, Panama 27/3/42; Guatemala 2/4/42; SAAD 13/6/42; Guatemala 24/6/42; SAAD 2/11/42; Guatemala 1/12/42; Rio Hato Panama 19/3/43; landing accident with John Seeley 10/4/43; Written off 2/10/43.
Delivered Boise 303BG 4/5/42; Geiger 26/5/42; Assigned 11AF Kodiak 3/6/42; Umnak 4/6/42; Returned to the USA New Castle 29/4/43; Gore 21/8/43; Wilmington 16/9/43; Reno 30/6/44; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Albuquerque 25/6/45.
Delivered Salt Lake Strategic Arms Depot (SAD) 10-Oct-41; Assigned 6AF 20-Dec-41; Panama, Canal Zone 25-Dec-41; Guatemala 15-Apr-42; SAAD 28-Jul-42; Guatemala 5-Dec-42. OLD MISS 11. (?Evacuated Java 28-Feb-42 to Ceylon, ending up in India Mar-42 with 7BG. May have been the aircraft lost on Andaman Island 1942?). Never served in the UK.
Delivered Pendleton 34BG 11/5/42; Muroc 16/5/42; Alamogordo 19/6/42; Biggs 9/8/42; Alamogordo 2/10/42; with John Pratt crashed and burned out six miles on mountain SE Magdalena, NM 15/10/42; Salvaged 18/12/43. Missing Air Crew Report 16138.
Delivered Sacramento 18/1/42; Assigned 19BG Java 19/2/42 with Feeney; 7BG, strafed and destroyed at Bandoeng, Java 19/2/42. Salvaged.
Delivered Lowry 7/3/42; Boise 6/4/42; Assigned 28BS/19BG Hawaii 22/4/42; damaged Rabual 7/8/42, rep; retUS 31/8/44; Written off 19/10/44.
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