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 20/10/44; Dow Fd 27/10/44; Assigned: 729BS/452BG Deopham Green 29/10/44; MIA Cologne 10/1/45 Pilot: Bob Larson, Co-Pilot: Bob Jones, Navigator: Ed James, Bombardier: Jim Carr, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Joe Keltner, Radio Operator: Lew Hicks, Ball Turret Gunner: Phil Johnson, Waist Gunner: John Chateau, Tail Gunner: Hugo Peterson (9KIA); flak, crashed Mannheim, Germany. MACR 11585.
Delivered Cheyenne 16/10/43; Gr Island 29/10/43; Memphis 5/11/43; Assigned 334BS/95BG [BG-M] Horham 12/11/43; on practice mission 4/12/43 with Glenn Infield, Co-pilot: Louis Reno, Navigator: Melvin Fledeboe, Radio Operator: Chas Merrman, etg-Z.A. Topolski (5 Returned to Duty) brakes failed on landing; 17m, Missing in Action Berlin 6/3/44 with Garland Lloyd, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Marion Gilmor, Radio Operator: John Janssen, Ball turret gunner: Ralph Rice, Waist gunner: George Robinson, Waist gunner: Porter Hyght,Tail gunner: Vic Valek (7 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Willys Jones, Navigator: Elton Skinnerret UK by 11/9/44, Bombardier: Russ Allman (3 evaded capture); enemy aircraft, crashed two miles NW of Hijken, Beilen, Hol. Missing Air Crew Report 2999. SHE’S MY GAL II aka JUNIOR.
Delivered Cheyenne 3/3/44; Dorval 10/3/44; Assigned RAF [HB785]; 214 Sq BU-A Sculthorpe, RCM Oulton, Nfk; Missing in Action bomber support mission 21/3/45.
Delivered Hunter 12/2/45; Grenier 24/2/45; Assigned 8AF 28/2/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 6/7/45; Sth Plains 9/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 21/2/46.
Delivered Cheyenne 22/8/44; Lincoln 7/9/44; Grenier 17/9/44; Assigned 303BG Molesworth 20/9/44; transferred 511BS/351BG [DS-N] Polebrook 18/10/44; 509BS [RQ-B]; 64m Returned to the USA Bradley 23/5/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 26/5/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 27/11/45.
Delivered Cheyenne 20/4/44; Hunter 2/5/44; Grenier 20/5/44; Assigned 340BS/97BG Tortorella 24/5/44; with Gil Tatman hit by with 44-9406 (2BG) in landing accident 2/1/45; both Salvaged.
Delivered Lincoln 17/1/45; Dow Fd 6/2/45; Assigned 15AF 14/2/45; Returned to the USA Morrison 30/9/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 13/12/45.
Delivered Cheyenne 16/1/44; St Joseph 1/2/44; MacDill 5/2/44; Morrison 9/3/44; Assigned 840BS/483BG Tortorella 13/3/44; transferred 346BS/99BG Tortorella 31/3/44; {30m} crash landed 21/6/44; Salvaged.
Delivered Lincoln 2/10/44; Dow Fd 13/10/44; Assigned 775BS/463BG Celone 24/10/44; Missing in Action Berlin 24/3/45 with Warren Wilson, Co-pilot: DeFro Tossey, Navigator: John Townsend, Bombardier: Jarvis Murphy, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Malcolm Walker, Radio Operator: Weaver Doyle, Ball turret gunner: George Holran, Waist gunner: Art Bonin, Waist gunner: Dale Albright,Tail gunner: Glen Martin (10 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Pilsen; Missing Air Crew Report 13371. LAETITIA.
Delivered Lincoln 16/12/44; Dow Fd 22/12/44; Assigned: 731BS/452BG Deopham Green 7/1/45 ANNONY MISS; Transferred: 546BS/384BG [BK-H] Grafton Underwood 4/2/45; trans with group to Istres on mapping duties, Salvaged. 9AF Germany. any 29/12/45. ACHTUNG ADOLPH.
