The B-17G was the latst production model of the “Flying Fortress” and was manufactured in the greates numbers.
![B-17G mit Kinnturm // Wikipedia Commons [Public Domain]](https://b17flyingfortress.de/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/B-17G_Nose_in_Detail-762x1024.jpg)
B-17G mit Kinnturm // Wikipedia Commons [Public Domain]
However, the new model B-17 also experienced its own operating difficulties. When fired at maximum elevation, the chin turret guns had a tendency to crack the plexiglass nose; a problem was solved by fitting blast barrels to each gun. The oil cooler regulator often failed to operate and could result in complete engine seizure. The ability to feather the propeller blades, in event of engine failture, was lost in the B-17G because the standpipe that held back sufficient oil to work the feathering tank was sacrificed in the quest for a lighter aircraft. This was a major design error and meant that, by the winter of 1943, the lack of feathering was a major reason for bomber loss. Urgent request were made by Groups for special modifications kits but it was only in September 1944 that B-17G’s arrived with these modifications built-in.
Another serious problem on the B-17G was the lack of an engine fire extinguisher system. Designers had believed that it was ineffective so had left it out of the new model. In reality, the system had worked well and it was requested by Bomber Groups that it be re-introduced as soon as possible.
The B-17G was still tail heavy with the same centre of gravity problems as earlier models. However, by May 1944, when long-range fighter esort was effective defensive protection, gunners were not as busy as before and it was decided that one waist gunner be dispensed with. The radio romm gun, the least used in action, was got also rid of and the quanity of ammunition carried reduced. All these measures brought the centre of gravity nearer th a more acceptable position. In the las month of the war, when there was little enemy fighter activity, some Combat Wings flew without waist guns, ball turrets or chin turrets. Operational reports revealed an estimated 25mph increase in airspeed with the improved streamlining. In this period of the war flak batteries were a greater hazard than fighters and unneccesary gunner armor plate was removed to be replaced with laminated steel and canvas plates called “flak curtains”.
In total, the 8th Air Force received 6,500 B-17G’s. In March 1945, it could send 2,370 of them into combat operations. At the end of the war a total 1,301 B-17G’s had been shot down or reported missing in action.
Delivered Hunter 16/7/44; Presque Is 26/7/44; Assigned 353BS/301BG Lucera 9/8/44; Missing in Action Vienna 13/10/44 e/Irving Shapiro, Shumaker, McElligott, Bear, Debski, John, Hagan, Mayberry, Bergerkofer (9 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Szombathely, Hung; Missing Air Crew Report 9081.
Delivered Cheyenne 22/8/44; Lincoln 7/9/44; Grenier 19/9/44; Assigned 751BS/457BG [R] Glatton 20/9/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 9/6/45; Memphis 20/9/45; Recl Comp 26/10/45. FLEDIA FAY.
Delivered Denver 24/11/43; Kearney 11/12/43; Romulus 17/12/43; Presque Is 20/12/43; Assigned 335BS/95BG [OE-Z] Horham 24/12/43; 11m, Missing in Action Rostock 24/2/44 with Elmer Costales, Co-pilot: Steve Kish, Bombardier: Lars Skoug, Radio Operator: Lester Seeling, Ball turret gunner: Bob Joyce, Waist gunner: Leaman McCulloch, Waist gunner: Norman Carnie,Tail gunner: Edwin Hays (8 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Cliff Sahner, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: George Peckacek (2 Killed in Action); flak hit #1 and stabilizer damaged, dropped behind and crash landed Oster Hojst, S of Logumkloster, Den. Missing Air Crew Report 2644. JUST ELMER’S TUNE.
Delivered Lincoln 20/11/44; Dow Fd 3/12/44; Assigned 838BS/487BG [2C-C] Lavenham 6/12/44; battle damaged Frankfurt 8/1/45 with ?; crash landed St Margaret’s, UK; crew OK, Salvaged 11/1/45.
Delivered Denver 19/1/44; Dallas 4/2/44; MacDill 5/2/44; Morrison 10/3/44; Assigned 817BS/483BG Tortorella 13/3/44; transferred 429BS/2BG Amendola 31/3/44; (?cr 8/4/44?); Salvaged 14/1/46. MAMMY YOKUM.
Delivered Cheyenne 17/7/44; Kearney 25/7/44; Grenier 7/8/44; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-A] Horham 13/8/44; 336BS [ET-A]; with D.L. Pearson force landed Laon, Fr 30/12/44;42m, Missing in Action Ruhland 17/3/45 with Irwin Vermillion, Co-pilot: John Gunvordahl, Navigator: Bill Geil, togg-Bill Riemondi, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ray Gorman, Radio Operator: Chas Wellington, Ball turret gunner: Perry Davis, Waist gunner: Bob Brown,Tail gunner: Noah Carriker (9 Returned to Duty); gas leak and mech fault, crash landed Neustadt, Ger. Crew all returned; Missing Air Crew Report 13111.
Delivered Syracuse 15/6/45; Middletown 30/10/45; Morrison 10/12/45; Caribbean 27/12/45; re-ass 30/4/47; 7 RUC Howard (CZ) 1/1/48; 6 Ph AD Howard 5/2/48; 582 SR Howard 5/6/48; 23 AB Howard 1/5/49; 23 MUS Gp Howard 20/6/49; AMC Olmstead 11/9/49; Recl Comp 14/10/49.
Delivered Lincoln 12/9/44; Grenier 6/10/44; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-R] Horham 12/10/44; with H. Rivet, obs-George Reese [wia] 5/1/45; flak battle damaged over Seelze, Ger 14/3/45 with G.E. Brumbaugh, Ball turret gunner: Edwd Kuzma [wia]; force landed Belgium; 1WIA 8RTD; repaired & ret gp; 32m, Returned to the USA Bradley 21/6/45; Sth Plains 23/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 25/11/45.
Delivered Cheyenne 28/11/43; Albuquerque 3/12/43; Wendover 3/1/44; Assigned 457BG Glatton 22/1/44; transferred 526BS/379BG [LF-C] Kimbolton 18/3/44; mission to Armentieres, France on 6/7/44 tg Raymond Peck (Killed in Action); retUS Bradley 9/7/45; 4168 Sth Plains 12/9/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 8/11/45. THE WISHBONE.
Delivered Tulsa 5/4/44; Hunter 20/6/44; Grenier 28/6/44; Assigned 340BS/97BG Amendola 3/7/44; Missing in Action Brux 20/10/44 with Don Wilson, Hayes, Thomas, Adams, Harborn, Calley, Catollo, Rupurt, Corning, Phillips; flak or out of gas, crashed Yugoslavia; Missing Air Crew Report 9591.
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