{"id":54,"date":"2015-12-26T19:43:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-26T18:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/webarbeiten\/b17\/?page_id=54"},"modified":"2022-07-03T14:14:20","modified_gmt":"2022-07-03T12:14:20","slug":"b-17f","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/versionen\/b-17f\/","title":{"rendered":"B-17F"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The main difference between the E and F models was the wider propeller blades with which the new model was equipped and which gave it better flight performance. The F model was produced in much larger numbers by three different manufacturers. Minor changes in details were made at each factory. The manufacturer was encoded in a suffix added to the model and block: BO stood for Boeing, VE for Lockheed Vega, and DL for Douglas. This made it clear that an aircraft with the designation &#8220;B-17F-50 VE&#8221; had been manufactured by Lockheed.<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_11236\" class=\"b17img-caption wp-caption mx-auto aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 600px; width: 100%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11236 size-new_medium\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/b-17_42-5077_-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"B-17F-30-BO #42-5077 'Delta Rebel No. 2' \/\/ [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/b-17_42-5077_-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/b-17_42-5077_-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/b-17_42-5077_-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/b-17_42-5077_-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/b-17_42-5077_.jpg 842w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><div class=\"wp-caption-wrapper\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text text-center\"><small>B-17F-30-BO #42-5077 &#8216;Delta Rebel No. 2&#8217; \/\/ [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons<\/small><\/p><\/div><\/div>The B-17F&#8217;s arrived in England in August 1942 and were destined to fly throughout 1943. However by the summer of 1944 they were a rare sight on operational bases. The planes were subsequently re-modifed by the idividual bases to cope with the unique problems that com to light in air combat. The aircraft, designed and tested in warmer climes, had to cope with the extremly low temperatures and high humidity of altitude flight. Problems encountered in the first few missions: the brushes in the electrical generators frozen up, the ball turret would not rotate, guns jammed, there was blind spot in the forward zone of fire and the tail was very heavy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-3\"><small>Werbung\/Advertisement<\/small><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8860322341892117\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"7270855245\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;To find out at the beginning as us tried as one attacks the B-17 best, tried we bomb to and so on everything, even the bombers bombs. But we found out that the best tactics consisted in attacking her from the front and we used the 190s for it as end of &#8217;43. The time at which you could shoot was very short since the approach-speed was very high. But, when you have hit the B-17 from the front, you have hit the cockpit or the engines mostly. There were only four 190s groups after this time which attacked from behind, which were called the &#8220;storm troops&#8221;. If the B-17 didn&#8217;t burn or the garrison didn&#8217;t jump down, then these 190s rammed the bombers at the tail unit or the rudder.&#8221;<br \/>\nWalter Krupinski<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_958\" class=\"b17img-caption wp-caption mx-auto aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 547px; width: 100%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-958 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-657-6304-24_Luftwaffe_Modelle_eines_Bombers_und_J\u00e4gers.jpg\" alt=\"Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-657-6304-24 \/ Meschke \/ CC-BY-SA 3.0 [CC BY-SA 3.0 de (http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/de\/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons\" width=\"547\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-657-6304-24_Luftwaffe_Modelle_eines_Bombers_und_J\u00e4gers.jpg 547w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-657-6304-24_Luftwaffe_Modelle_eines_Bombers_und_J\u00e4gers-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-657-6304-24_Luftwaffe_Modelle_eines_Bombers_und_J\u00e4gers-500x622.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 547px) 100vw, 547px\" \/><div class=\"wp-caption-wrapper\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text text-center\"><small>Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-657-6304-24 \/ Meschke \/ CC-BY-SA 3.0 [CC BY-SA 3.0 de (http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/de\/deed.en)], <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-657-6304-24,_Luftwaffe,_Modelle_eines_Bombers_und_J%C3%A4gers.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/small><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Weak point<\/h2>\n<p>By November 1942, the Luftwaffe fighter pilots had realized that they could attack a B-17F head-on and be safe from return fire from the actual plane. The fitted 0.30-calibre michine gun in the plexiglass nose was ineffective so individual Bomber Groups decided to replace it with the more destructive 0.50-calibre guns. A nose gun installation kit was provided by 8th Air Force Service Command and the importance of a forward mounted turret on a B-17 was impressed upon the manufacturers. The work on converting the nose turret was very slow and could be only be carried on when the aircraft was free from combat commitments. It was not until May 1943 that B-17F&#8217;s with a factory fitted nose gun mount landed in Britain.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;The Germans got to the beginning of the war from the side or behind. But they got for a lot counter-intelligence fire at 25 to 30 B-17s. When they found out that the B-17 had less fire strength in the nose, they changed the tactics. You came in V formations of the front. For us it looked like a line, now and then, however, they came in the inverted V and we shot onto the middle which, however, wasn&#8217;t in range yet. At the next trace it was a normal V perhaps again and the middle was nearer than the outer positions. These came toward us with really high speed. You came with 400 miles and we flew 160 and fired her with her 20 mm cannons on the cockpits as soon as we were within range in the hope to meet something. One could see coming the 20 mm and one hoped that they didn&#8217;t meet. After the attack they shifted and came back. Only if they found a single machine, they were not effective from the front, they then came back from the side or behind. A machine at which one or two engines had failed was alone put on herself and the guys of the air force took their time to hit the fuel tanks on the two fuselage sides.&#8221;<br \/>\nRobert Davila, Pilot der USAAF<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_861\" class=\"b17img-caption wp-caption mx-auto aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 600px; width: 100%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-861 size-new_medium\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/media-26791-600x486.jpg\" alt=\"http:\/\/www.americanairmuseum.com\/media\/26791 \/\/ CC-BY-NC 3.0\" width=\"600\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/media-26791-600x486.jpg 600w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/media-26791-300x243.jpg 300w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/media-26791-768x621.jpg 768w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/media-26791-1024x829.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/media-26791-500x405.jpg 500w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/media-26791.jpg 1546w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><div class=\"wp-caption-wrapper\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text text-center\"><small><a href=\"http:\/\/www.americanairmuseum.com\/media\/26791\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.americanairmuseum.com<\/a>\/\/ CC-BY-NC 3.0<\/small><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;At the beginning only the Fw 190 attacked the bombers and the Bf 109 only was used as escort. Most attacks were flown from the front. If the bombers noticed that the 190s came, they often flew a curve from 10 or 15 degrees. This made it hard to come flying up from the front again.&#8221;<br \/>\nWalter Krupinski<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Several problems<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_12058\" class=\"b17img-caption wp-caption mx-auto aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 600px; width: 100%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12058 size-new_medium\" title=\"Ball Turret Gunner\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/b17-ball-turret-600x477.jpg\" alt=\"Ball Turret Gunner\" width=\"600\" height=\"477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/b17-ball-turret-600x477.jpg 600w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/b17-ball-turret-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/b17-ball-turret-768x611.jpg 768w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/b17-ball-turret-1024x814.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/b17-ball-turret-500x398.jpg 500w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/b17-ball-turret.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><div class=\"wp-caption-wrapper\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text text-center\"><small>Ball Turret Gunner<\/small><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p>The failure of the ball turret was of greater concern on the early models. Apart from the problem with retaion, the oxygen line, throat microphone, and flying suit heater cords all became tangled during normal combat operations. The gunner also feced the risk of running out of oxygen. The bottle contained insufficient oxygen for a normal mission and it was the job of the waist gunner to re-charge the ball turret cylinder but the valve often froze open and supply quickly emptied.<\/p>\n<p>Other Problems included a leaking hydraulic unit, and a turret door that was prone to cracking. Getting out of the turret in an emergency was also a painfully slow procedure. The gunner had to hand-crank the turret in to the correct position, then lift himself out of the hatch and put on a parachute. Needless to say ball turret gunner was the least popular job amoung B-17 crews.<\/p>\n<p>By May 1943, the US VIII Bomber Command had listed a dozen priorities for standard modifications: nose gun fittings, upper turret charging handles, armor plate protection for the pilot&#8217;s panel, more ammunitin for the gun in the radio room, an increase in the oxygen supply to all turrets, new radio antennae, Mark III IFF sets, a remote indicating compass and a life-raft realease. there was also a list of less important changes such as bullet proof glass in windows, re-locating waist gun sites for a better field of fire, fitting of GEE and changes to the oxygen system.<\/p>\n<p>The cold conditions the aircraft operated in tended to freeze the bomb bay doors and the bomb shackles. In early missions this problem was overcome by one of the crew using a crow bar on on the frozen mechanism. Experienced crews would test the bomb bay door operation before they were on the bomb run.<\/p>\n<p>Nothing could be done to stop the plane from being tail heavy but crews were warned about storing equipment and ammunition near the rear.<\/p>\n<p>Another cause for condern was the ability of the waist gunners to inadvertently fire into the wing and tail. In July 1943 an electrical cut off system was fitted which automaticlly stopped the gun firing pins if the gun was aimed at any part of the plane.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most important changes in the development of the B-17F was the addition of extra fuel tanks giving the plane another 1080 US gallons. effectively, this increased the B-17F&#8217;s range by 1000 miles and the operational radius doubled to 650 miles. The extra fuel units were called &#8220;Tokyo Tanks&#8221; (supposedly adding enough range so that a B-17 could get to Tokyo from a carrier in the Pacific) and were made up of nine rubber self-sealing cells placed betwenn of ribs of both wings. These long-range versions first appeared at English bases in May 1943.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-3\"><small>Werbung\/Advertisement<\/small><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8860322341892117\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"7270855245\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<h2>Random B-17F from database<\/h2>\n\n\n\n        <div id=\"b17database\" class=\"row b17s-2col\">\n\n\n\n            \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-13843\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-5236\/\" title=\"42-5236\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-5236\" title=\"B-17 #42-5236\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-5236\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-5236\">42-5236<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Cheyenne 18\/10\/42; Wayne Co 3\/12\/42; Dorval 8\/12\/42; South Atlantic route to Prestwick 13-24\/12\/42 with Arthur Sims, to RAF [FA709]; 220 Sq (ZZ-B) Benbecula, Scot. 17\/4\/43; then to Lagens, Azores coded A, 25\/10\/43; 206 Sq Benbecula, Scot., Struck Off Charge and sold to International Alloys 15\/9\/47.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-3731\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-30502\/\" title=\"42-30502\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-30502\" title=\"B-17 #42-30502\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-30502\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-30502\">42-30502<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Cheyenne 11\/6\/43; Rapid City 19\/6\/43; Geiger 22\/6\/43; Grand Isle 1\/7\/43; Assigned 20BS\/2BG Ain M&#8217;Lila 16\/7\/43; Massicault 31\/7\/43; Missing in Action {3m} Foggia 19\/8\/43 with John Bradley, Co-pilot: Jim McPhee, Navigator: Bob Lee, Bombardier: Bill Peters, Flight engineer\/top turret gunner: Albt Kirby, Radio Operator: Maynard Rogers, Ball turret gunner: Gene O\u2019Brien, Waist gunner: John Westmorland,Tail gunner: Tom Hausler (9 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Jim Bradley (inj Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, four chutes seen; Missing Air Crew Report 429.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-7021\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-3027\/\" title=\"42-3027\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-3027\" title=\"B-17 #42-3027\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-3027\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-3027\">42-3027<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Tulsa 17\/1\/43; Cheyenne 31\/1\/43; Salina 6\/2\/43; Glen 4\/3\/43; Interned.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-2230\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-3546-ramblin-wreck-aka-wildfire\/\" title=\"42-3546 \/ Ramblin&#8217; Wreck aka Wildfire\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-3546 \/ Ramblin&#8217; Wreck aka Wildfire\" title=\"B-17 #42-3546 \/ Ramblin&#8217; Wreck aka Wildfire\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-3546-ramblin-wreck-aka-wildfire\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-3546 \/ Ramblin&#8217; Wreck aka Wildfire\">42-3546 \/ Ramblin&#8217; Wreck aka Wildfire<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Denver 28\/7\/43; Grand Island 10\/8\/43; Assigned 339BS\/96BG [QJ-A] Snetterton 29\/8\/43 RAMBLIN&#8217; WRECK; Missing in Action Bremen 29\/11\/43 with Tom Parks, Co-pilot: Earl Bason, Navigator: John Sweeney, Bombardier: Joe Leblanc, Flight engineer\/top turret gunner: Glen Richardson, Radio Operator: Blakley Seward, Ball turret gunner: George Gera, Waist gunner: Wesley Wright, Waist gunner: Frank Waizeneger,Tail gunner: Gordon Rodemark (10 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Eystrup, 28 miles SE of Bremen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 1393. WILDFIRE.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-2407\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-5764\/\" title=\"42-5764\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-5764\" title=\"B-17 #42-5764\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-5764\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-5764\">42-5764<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Cheyenne 28\/12\/42; Denver 2\/1\/43; Salina 10\/1\/43; Brookley 8\/3\/43; Morrison 13\/4\/43; Assigned 97BG Chateau-du-Rhumel 16\/4\/43; Pont-du-Fahs 1\/8\/43; Depienne 15\/8\/43; Cerignola 20\/12\/43; battle damaged Innsbrook 19\/12\/43 Amendola 16\/1\/44 transferred 840BS\/483BG Tortorella 31\/3\/44; Sterparone 22\/4\/44; Salvaged 30\/11\/45.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-5406\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-5468-qui-nine-the-bitter-dose\/\" title=\"42-5468 \/ Qui-Nine -The Bitter Dose\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-5468 \/ Qui-Nine -The Bitter Dose\" title=\"B-17 #42-5468 \/ Qui-Nine -The Bitter Dose\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-5468-qui-nine-the-bitter-dose\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-5468 \/ Qui-Nine -The Bitter Dose\">42-5468 \/ Qui-Nine -The Bitter Dose<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered at Denver 11-Dec-42; Salina 8-Jan-43; Assigned 360BS\/303BG [PU-I] Molesworth 8-Apr-43; On 25-Jun-43 the aircraft was depatched to bomb the construction shops adjacent to the submarine building at Hamburg, Germany. On the return the aircraft was attacked by German fighters, killing the Radio Operator, TSgt Dick W. Jones and wounding the Navigator and both Waist Gunners. The Pilot, Capt. George V. Stallings managed to fly the crippled aircraft back to England and the crew parachuted to safety over Coltishall, Norfolk. The pilot then flew the aircraft out over the sea off the coast at Waxham, Norfolk, baled out, and swam to shore. Capt Stalling was awarded both the British and American Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. See the Biographies of the other crew members for their decorations. 1KIA 10RTD<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-7897\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-6099-ruth-l-aka-winnie-c\/\" title=\"B-17 #42-6099 \/ Ruth L aka Winnie C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1222\" height=\"980\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/42-6099.jpg\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"B-17 #42-6099 \/ Ruth L aka Winnie C\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/42-6099.jpg 1222w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/42-6099-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/42-6099-1024x821.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/42-6099-768x616.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1222px) 100vw, 1222px\" \/>\n                            <\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-6099-ruth-l-aka-winnie-c\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-6099 \/ Ruth L aka Winnie C\">42-6099 \/ Ruth L aka Winnie C<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Long Beach 20\/7\/43; Palm Springs 23\/7\/43; Cheyenne 25\/7\/43; Dalhart 15\/8\/43; Assigned 337BS\/96BG Snetterton [AW-E] 9\/9\/43 RUTH L; transferred 339BS [QJ-R]; Missing in Action Oranienburg 22\/3\/44 with Nathan Young, Co-pilot: Ed Garney, Navigator: Bob Sulzner, Bombardier: Bob Smith, Flight engineer\/top turret gunner: Tom Kelley, Radio Operator: Henry Lee, Ball turret gunner: Bill Meyer, Waist gunner: Wesley Lane, Waist gunner: Bob Robertson,Tail gunner: Walter May (10 Killed in Action); hit by bomb from own group aircraft above, crashed Falkenhoehe, two miles NE of Falkensee, due E of Berlin, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 3420. WINNIE C.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-13363\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-29774\/\" title=\"42-29774\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-29774\" title=\"B-17 #42-29774\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-29774\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-29774\">42-29774<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Denver 17\/2\/43; Long Beach 4\/3\/43; Blythe 6\/3\/43; force landed base with Jack Fowles 20\/3\/43; Biggs 28\/4\/43; Dalhart 9\/8\/43; Pyote 22\/9\/43; Tinker 6\/12\/43; Clovis 23\/12\/43; 4117 BU Robins 13\/6\/44; 242 BU Gr Isle 14\/6\/44; 273 BU Lincoln 24\/6\/43; 242 BU Gr Isle 23\/8\/44; 4112 BU Olmstead 10\/11\/44; 268 BU Peterson 28\/11\/44; 224 BU Sioux City 25\/2\/45; 247 BU Smoky Hill 16\/3\/45; 554 BU Memphis 26\/8\/45; 224 BU Sioux City 9\/9\/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 29\/10\/45.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-5423\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-30623-vassars-virgin\/\" title=\"42-30623 \/ Vassar&#8217;s Virgin\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-30623 \/ Vassar&#8217;s Virgin\" title=\"B-17 #42-30623 \/ Vassar&#8217;s Virgin\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-30623-vassars-virgin\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-30623 \/ Vassar&#8217;s Virgin\">42-30623 \/ Vassar&#8217;s Virgin<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Amarillo 1\/7\/434; Cheyenne 27\/7\/43; Gore 7\/8\/43; Dyersburg 8\/8\/43; Assigned 326BS\/92BG [JW-L] Podington 16\/9\/43; Missing in Action Augsburg 25\/2\/44 with Chas Nashold{kept ship level so crew could jump}, Ball turret gunner: Earl Keller (2 Killed in Action); Navigator: George Fahlstrom, Bombardier: Fred Butler, Flight engineer\/top turret gunner: Bill Richardson, Radio Operator: Bill Schuff, Waist gunner: Leo Conners, Waist gunner: Paul Zeman,Tail gunner: Tom Rodman (7 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Jim Lyles (evaded capture); flak, crashed Les Quatre Seigneurs, 12 miles E of Thionville, Fr; Missing Air Crew Report 2754. VASSAR\u2019S VIRGIN.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n                <article id=\"b17database-13964\" class=\"latest-b17 col-12 col-lg-6\">\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-image\">\n\n                        \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-6199\/\" title=\"42-6199\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid b17-image\" alt=\"B-17 Bomber Flying Fortress &#8211; The Queen Of The Skies 42-6199\" title=\"B-17 #42-6199\" src=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/cms\/wp-content\/themes\/nine-o-nine\/assets\/images\/b17-no-photo.webp\" \/><\/a>\n\n                        \n\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n\n                    <section class=\"latest-b17-excerpt-box mb-5\">\n\n                        <h2><a href=\"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/b17\/42-6199\/\" class=\"\" title=\"B-17 #42-6199\">42-6199<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n                        <div class=\"latest-b17-excerpt\">\n\n                            <p>Delivered Long Beach 21\/8\/43; 4136 BU Tinker 1\/6\/44; 497BG Pratt 7\/6\/44; 4100 BU Patterson 11\/6\/44; 246 BU Pratt 26\/6\/44; 222 BU Ardmore 7\/8\/44; 332 BU Ardmore 16\/6\/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 13\/11\/45.<\/p>\n\n                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/section>\n\n                    <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n                <\/article>\n\n\n\n\n\n                \n\n\n\n\n            <div class=\"clearfix w-100\"><\/div>\n\n        <\/div> <!-- #b17database -->\n\n        \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The main difference between the E and F models was the wider propeller blades with which the new model was equipped and which gave it better flight performance. The F model was produced in much larger numbers by three different manufacturers. Minor changes in details were made at each factory. The manufacturer was encoded in [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":44,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-54","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.0","language":"en","enabled_languages":["de","en"],"languages":{"de":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19878,"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54\/revisions\/19878"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/b17flyingfortress.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}