Aero Vintage Books

I've always wondered why, given the the innovative modifications made to other pacific AAF bombers, the B-17Fs were never modified to replace the .30 cal nose guns with .50 cal as was done with their B-17Es, and the B-17Fs in the 8th AF in Europe. The Memphis Belle being a perfect 8th AF example.

The bubble was most likely removed as on the XB-15 or rotated to the bottom.

"08" is a Y1B-17.

Indeed, a number of 5th and 11th Bomb group, and to a lesser degree 19th Bomb Group B-17Es were retro fitted with the ball turret. The scanning windows, and the patch for the sighting bubble for the remote as well as the serial number made it easy to identify the aircraft so fitted.

I posted this in conjunction with the post about lack of waist gun blisters on some B-17Bs.

For comparison, here are the other B-17Es that returned with 41-2667. Here is 41-2444 https://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p250/BoeingFortress/41-2444%20Henderson%20Field.jpg I have the below listed in my files as 41-2444 , yet they do not show a tail number. Therefore, I am not positive the followi...

the whole airframe looks to have been repainted. Regarding the markings, the same thing happened with the Swoose when it was stripped to NMF. The markings were repainted but not at all the same.

Judging by the early type tail markings, I’d say it’s B model. But, converted Bs had a wide band around the flush waist widows where it was riveted to the fuselage in place of the blister. I’m not sure I see that in the photo.

More then likely, the Americans did not find anything from 1941. Well know that the Japanese did capture both a shipment of P-40's as well as A-20's. There was enough of both to equip a Japanese group of each type. The Japanese also captured enough Brewster Buffalo's from the British to have a full...

41-2488 (c/n: 2299). Assigned: 7th BG / 30th BS Ferried: January 1942 - (Florida - Africa - Singoasri Field) - (Pilot: 1Lt John D Bridges) Project X Assigned: 6 February 1942 - 5th AF / 7th BG / 9th BS - (Singoasri Field) Destroyed: 20 February 1942 (Bombing / Strafed) - Singosari Field, Java (Airc...

Interestingly, there's a P-39 in the background on the left.

I've always been curious about the possibility of
American forces that recaptured Clark Field coming upon any American wrecks in bone yards from the Japanese attacks in Dec. of '41.

New Orleans.

Where did the B-17E come from?