English
DeutschThe 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 Minneapolis 7/3/42; Assigned 435BS/19BG Hawaii 13/5/42; transferred 30BS; crashed on take off Port Moresby 7/8/42 with Chas Hillhouse, Co-pilot: A.Neel, Navigator: R.Worley, Bombardier: R. Gootch, J. Foster, Joe Wateski, Radio Operator: J.Hickey, Waist gunner: S.Schwimmer,Tail gunner: J. Bayless (Returned to Duty); Written off 31/10/44.
Delivered Geiger 29/1/42; Tucson 7/2/42; Cheyenne 14/5/42; Westover 23/5/42, with W.A. Lawford force landed baser 9/6/42; repaired & transferred Wendover 11/8/42; Biggs 29/8/42; Alamogordo 2/10/42; crashed burned with Dave Tyler 6/10/42. Salvaged.
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 Sebring 27/1/42; missing from Hendricks, FL 15/4/42 with Tom Kennington MIS (at sea?). Written off 21/4/42.
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.
When the Allies left Java, this B-17 was flown to Australia and was still flying combat till the middle of 1942. EL TORO.
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 Cheyenne ?, Wayne Co Apt, Detroit then to Dorval some five months later for delivery to Britain as [FK198] 303BG Boise 21/4/42; Lowry 21/5/42; Assigned 42BS/11BG Hawaii 9/6/42; used Henderson Fd, Guadalcanal which had Marston Mat runway laid, transferred 26BS/5BG 1/9/452; hit by flak Bougainville near Shortland Harbour 1/2/43 with Capt Frank L. Houx, Co-pilot: Martin Carper, Navigator: George Gammans, Bombardier: Le Verne Hite, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Rich Wayne, Radio Operator: Ernie Koch, Waist gunner: Leon Knights, Joe Garvey,Tail gunner: Ernie Sweigert (9KIA officially 11/1/46); Written off 15/6/44. Missing Air Crew Report 46482. EAGER BEAVERS.
Delivered Geiger 419BS/301st Bomb Group 7/4/42; with – Teague force landed BW1, Greenland 7/6/42; transferred 97BG 7/42 (used by F/M Montgomery at times); 92BG /9/42; Written off 22/6/45
Delivered 34BG Pendleton 6/2/42; with Warren Johnson/Joe Laycock, crashed Meacham, 25 miles SE of base 3/4/42, (6 Killed in Service). Salvaged.
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