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 3/8/44; Dow Fd 30/8/44; Assigned 817BS/483BG Sterparone 15/9/44; Missing in Action Munich 22/11/44 with Bob Bartusch, Hirschfield, Rosenthal (3 Returned to Duty); Bergeschneider, Bush, Klapp, Kramer, Steele (5 Prisoner of War); Johnson (Killed in Action); mech fault, crashed Sanskimost; Missing Air Crew Report 9950.
Delivered Denver 16/12/43; Rochester 11/1/44; Langley 13/1/44; Assigned 482BG (H2X) Alconbury 25/1/44; transferred 413BS/96BG [MZ-B] Snetterton 26/1/44; 563BS/388BG Knettishall 27/1/44; Missing in Action Chemnitz 5/3/45 with Ralph Kittle, John Watkins, Irwin Boxer, Lloyd Sanford, Salvaged Genco, Ray Kudla, Bob Jones (7 Prisoner of War); Bob Warren (Killed in Action); John Rutt (evaded capture); flak, crashed Kraslice, Czecho. Missing Air Crew Report 12926.
Delivered Tulsa 21/4/44; Hendricks 30/4/44; 2137 BU Hendricks 17/11/44; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 29/10/45.
Delivered Denver 22/11/43; Kearney 14/12/43; Presque Is 20/12/43; Assigned 527BS/379BG [FO-O Kimbolton 9/1/44; borrowed by 525BS for mission to Ludwigshafen 8/9/44 with Otto Skokan, Co-pilot: Byron Anderson, Navigator: Jim Webb, ng-Clarry Roundtree, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Chas Glen, Radio Operator: Bob Heath, Ball turret gunner: Joe Mandel, Waist gunner: Bob Moore,Tail gunner: Chas Bowles (9 Returned to Duty); crash landed France, unknown location; Salvaged 14/11/44.
Delivered Hunter 12/3/45; Grenier 18/3/45; Assigned 8AF 30/3/45; Returned to the USA Bradley 17/6/45; Sth Plains 21/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 15/2/46.
Delivered Tulsa 21/4/44; Hendricks 30/4/44; 2137 BU Hendricks 18/11/44; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 9/11/45.
Delivered Cheyenne 8/4/44; Ft Myers 26/4/44; 2124 BU Buckingham 19/10/44; 2126 BU Laredo 1/2/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 7/1/46.
Delivered: Cheyenne 4/5/44; Hunter 18/5/44; Grenier 3/6/44; Assigned: 324BS/91BG [DF-A] Bassingbourn 15/6/44; battle damage Halle 16/8/44 Pilot: Lou Marpil, J.C. Bowlan, Elliott Winston, Claud Carr, Joe Nealon, Gerald Peters, Truly Ponder (7RTD); Clayton Tyson (KIA); Clem Pine (POW); crash-landed Borham A/fd, UK; Salvaged. 2 SAD 17/8/44. MACR 8182.
Delivered Cheyenne 13/12/43; Kearney 28/12/43; Presque Is 21/1/44; Assigned 548BS/385BG [GX-E] Gt Ashfield 25/1/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 26/6/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 21/10/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 1/12/45.
Delivered Rome 24/2/45; Hunter 26/3/45; ATC San Francisco 14/4/45; Assigned 5AF, 3 ER Yokota 18/1/48; Recl Comp 8/6/49; 3 BL Johnson Fd, Japan 4/5/50; 3RES/6122 AB Ashiya Fd, Japan with Carl Dimmitt in landing accident with another B-17 43-39364 8/11/50; Recl Comp 5/12/50.
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