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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 Boise 4/4/42; Presque Is 31/5/42; Assigned 359BS/303BG Houlton 20/6/42; when taxiing u/c retracted 27/6/42 with Lt Don Sheeler, Sgts Flight engineer/top turret gunner: C.S. Wymen and Radio Operator: S.F.Sevick; no injuries; Written off 4/12/42.
Delivered Sacramento 17/12/41; Assigned 28BS/19BG Java 30/1/42 with A. Key; transferred 7BG, 65BS/43BG damaged in action and crash landed Pasiran 8/2/42; 39TCS/317TCG Dobodura 11/43; took part in first Air Drop 19/12/43 with Capt Lee Bird, Navigator: Seymour Schafer, Radio Operator: George Prezioso, Waist gunner: Lewis Scoot,Tail gunner: Paul Balsewitz; transferred 6PRG/8PRS; according to Reg Tatro flew to Sydney on beer run; ground looped Finchhafen 27/1/45, repaired but eventually W/O at Brisbane 27/1/45. YANKEE DIDD’LER – WOULDN’T IT ROOT YA.
Delivered Sebring 26/3/42; Hendricks 18/9/42; MacDill 2/5/43; Hendricks 10/5/43 as TB-17 (No.01); Written off 19/7/44.
Delivered Pendleton 34BG 7/5/42; Muroc 16/5/42; Alamogordo 18/6/42; SAAD 12/7/42; Assigned 19AF Occident 8/9/42; Ft McAndrew 19/9/42; crash landed and wrecked Sidney, Nova Scotia 11/11/42. Salvaged.
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.
Delivered Geiger 301BG 1/5/42; Lowry 31/5/42; Assigned 26BS/11BG Hawaii 7/6/42; transferred 13AF Poppy 22/7/42; Written off 31/10/44.
Delivered MacDill 25/12/41; Assigned 19BG Java 18/1/42; transferred 7BG; strafed and destroyed Broome Fd, Australia 3/3/42 (usual pilot D. Skiles); Salvaged. CRAPS FOR THE JAPS.
Delivered Sebring 4/5/43; with Alex Katz crash landed 50 miles S of Appalachicola, Fl, 12/5/42; 2137 BU Hendricks 12/11/42; 3017 BU Hobbs 3/12/43; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Albuquerque 25/6/45.
Delivered MacDill 92BG 12/5/42; Lockbourn 29/2/43; Recl Comp 17/2/45.
Delivered Ogden 23/1/42; Cheyenne 15/2/42; RCAF Dorval 19/3/42; Gander-Prestwick 6/4/42 with Don Ross RAF [FK188]; 59 Sq (TR- ) Thorney Is 15/12/42, damaged by taxiing Hampden 30/12/42; was at Marshalls of Cambridge under repair for six months before assigned Lagens, Azores [ -Z, then W, 9/44] (220 Sq (ZZ-L) Benbecula 20/8/43; 519 Sq Wick, Scotland;) landed after engine failure 18/4/45; not repaired and Struck Off Charge 10/9/45.