English
DeutschThe 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 Lincoln 30/9/44; Grenier 12/10/44; Assigned 96BS/2BG Amendola 26/10/44; transferred 32BS/301BG Lucera 4/11/44; Returned to the USA Morrison 21/9/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 19/12/45.
Delivered Cheyenne 3/7/44; Kearney 12/7/44; Dow Fd 20/7/44; Assigned: 569BS/390BG {CC-R] Framlingham 21/7/44; MIA Zellhausen 24/12/44 Pilot: Paul Herring, George Cassman, Lester Damast, Dick Byrne, Hymen Less, Chas Mehl (6POW); Terry Burrows {Co-Pilot: killed by strafing Allied fighters}, George Betz, Theo Garst (3KIA); flak hit then exploded, crashed Weisbaden, Germany. MACR 11116.
Delivered Hunter 15/3/45; Grenier 23/3/45; Assigned 8AF 26/3/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 10/6/45; Sth Plains 13/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 11/2/46.
Delivered Denver 11/12/43; Kearney 30/12/43; RAF Nutts Corner, NI 14/1/44; Assigned 570BS/390BG [DI-B] Framlingham 17/1/44; with Bill Potter in taxi accident on base 18/6/45; Returned to the USA 121 BU Bradley 3/7/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 5/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 9/12/45. SWEETHEART OF PAS DE CALAIS.
Delivered Tulsa 9/2/44; Gr Island 18/2/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall 13/3/44; Missing in Action Laon 8/5/44; enemy aircraft, crashed on Bremen road 15 miles E of Hoya, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 4581. PEG OF MY HEART.
Delivered Denver 23/12/43; Gr Island 28/12/43; Boca Raton 20/1/44, 3501 BU Boca Raton 28/11/44; 3704 BU Keesler 15/1/45; 3704 BU Boca Raton 1/8/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 8/12/45.
elivered Cheyenne 16/2/44; Rapid City 3/3/44; Grenier 14/4/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 22/4/44; no ops, transferred 369BS/306BG [WW-Q] Thurleigh 7/5/44; Missing in Action Saarbrucken 11/5/44 with Bill Wills, Co-pilot: John Roberts, Navigator: Jim Sharpe, Bombardier: Dick Jindrich, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Caine, Radio Operator: Bob Carlton, Ball turret gunner: Cleo Dark, Waist gunner: Ken Hanson,Tail gunner: Delbert Bishop (9 Prisoner of War); Waist gunner: John Bartron (KIA- chute failed); flak hits on return trip KOd two engines and a rocket took out controls, crrw bailed and aircraft crashed Honskirch, six miles W of Sarre Union, Fr; Missing Air Crew Report 4557.
Delivered Louisville 3/3/45; Hunter 23/3/45; Grenier 30/3/45; Assigned 8AF 1/4/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 24/7/45; Independence 27/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Altus 16/12/45.
Delivered Cheyenne 29/1/44; Kearney 12/2/44; Presque Is 2/3/44; Assigned 367BS/306BG Thurleigh 26/3/44; transferred 91BG 30/5/45; 105m, Returned to the USA Bradley 11/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 21/10/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 8/12/45. PRETTY BABY.
Delivered Cheyenne 7/10/43; Gr Island 21/10/43; Nashville 27/10/43; Assigned 511BS/351BG [DS-A] Polebrook 23/12/43; {64m} Mannheim 8/9/44, with John Haba, Co-pilot: Clinton Cavett, Navigator: Gene Hooks, Bombardier: Bob McGlohon, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ernie Clinton, Radio Operator: Jim Singleton, Ball turret gunner: Roy Morrison, Waist gunner: Ray McCloskey (8 Killed in Service);Tail gunner: Don Holihan (Returned to Duty), aircraft iced up badly during wing assembly and crashed Langtoft Common, near Market Deeping, Lincs. UK; Salvaged 2 SAD Lt Staughton 9/9/44. DEVIL’S BALL.
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