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 Lincoln 23/11/44; Dow Fd 16/12/44; Assigned 8AF 18/12/44; Returned to the USA Bradley 2/7/45; 4136 BU Tinker 21/10/45; 4112 BU Olmstead 24/10/45; 4104 BU Rome 3/9/46; 1504 BU Fairfield 25/12/46; 4104 BU Rome 10/1/47; re-ass Pacific TSP 15/1/47; re-ass 30/4/47; PAC Hickam 1/1/48; Recl Comp 10/8/49.
Delivered Roswell 18/5/44; 3030 BU Roswell 2/6/44; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 7/1/46.
Delivered Long Beach 10/9/43; Scott 28/10/43; ass 570BS/390BG [DI-J] Framlingham 13/10/43; MIA Augsburg 13/4/44 Pilot: Don Zollers, Navigator: Howard Cizek, Bombardier: Frank Farnsworth, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Forrest Faire, roCarl Fessel, Ball Turret Gunner: -Ray Percival, Waist Gunner: Bob Murphy, Waist Gunner: Byron Elmer, Tail Gunner: Germany. ld De Ainza (9POW); Co-Pilot: Len Gallant (KIA- found dead in a quarry at Ispringen, NW of Pforzheim); flak, crashed near Mannheim, Ger. MACR 3946. HEY MOITLE.
Delivered Alexandra 24/5/44; 221 BU Alexandra 16/10/44; 329 BU Alexandra 1/3/45; 330 BY Dyersburg 25/3/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 17/12/45.
Delivered Denver 11/12/43; Kearney 24/12/43; New Orleans 3/1/44; Morrison 5/1/44; Assigned 353BS/301BG Tortorella 21/12/43; Missing in Action {19m} Regensburg 25/2/44 with Alex Kisselburgh, Bromley, Sorenson, Dunn, Bertone, Jessup (6 Prisoner of War); Molloy, Facilla, Dravecky, Watts (4 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Kranj; Missing Air Crew Report 2723.
Delivered Sioux City 14/5/44; Gt Falls 13/5/44; Sioux City 16/5/44; 224 BU Sioux City 7/11/44; 273 BU Lincoln 11/11/44; 224 BU Sioux City 6/3/45; 222 BU Ardmore 15/6/45; 332 BU Ardmore 16/6/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 7/12/45.
Delivered Kearney 4/7/44; Grenier 16/7/44; Assigned 816BS/483BG Sterparone 17/7/44; Missing in Action Vienna 16/3/45 with Homer Anderson, Hatcher, Axler, Alexander, Kramp, Leal, Owens, Bob Smith, Schraeder, Zachritz (10 evaded capture & ret. 30/3/45); flak, crashed Igal, Hungary; Missing Air Crew Report 13059.
Delivered Denver 7/10/43; Las Vegas 27/10/43; 3021 BU Las Vegas 8/10/44; 4134 BU Spokane 16/9/44; 3017 BU Hobbs 31/1/45; 3021 BU Las Vegas 3/2/45; 2126 BU Laredo 24/4/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 5/1/46.
Delivered Lincoln 21/2/45; Grenier 5/3/45; Assigned 483BG Sterparone 14/3/45; Returned to the USA Morrison 2/10/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 5/1/46.
Delivered Dyersburg 2/4/44; 330 BU Dyersburg 1/3/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 18/12/45.
