TB-17G 42-97887 & TB-40 42-5926, or Mating Season at Enid...

[Chris Brame]

On eBay right now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Org-Photo-B-17- ... Sw5VtZuz90

AAIR lists this at Enid, OK on September 18, 1945 and the other plane as B-17F/YB-40/TB-40 42-5926.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/ ... Submit2=Go

Osborne again:

42-97887 Del Denver 26/3/44; Hendricks 27/4/44; Slated 457BG, 2137 BU Hendricks 17/11/44; 2518 BU Enid 20/9/45; RFC Kingman 6/12/45.

42-5926 Del Long Beach 13/5/43; YB-40 Tulsa 21/5/43 then to a TB-40; 2137 BU Hendricks 13/10/44; 2518 BU Enid 20/9/45; Recl Comp 13/2/46.

[FoCoB17G]

Why does 42-97887 not have any turrets? 42-5926 seems to be missing ball turret, can't see the top.

I'm not familiar with TB-17, but I thought the YB-40, if anything, should have extra turrets.

[terveurn]

Why does 42-97887 not have any turrets? 42-5926 seems to be missing ball turret, can't see the top.

I'm not familiar with TB-17, but I thought the YB-40, if anything, should have extra turrets.

TB-17 was the training B-17

Hendricks AAF was a B-17 pilot training station -- they removed a lot of turrets (particularly the upper) to give room for the other student pilots in the cockpit.

Removing the ball and chin made life easier for the ground maintenance - less crap to break plus they sent these turrets to the station where the gunners were being trained

[NickV]

I've attached the Individual Aircraft Record Card of 42-5926 for your viewing pleasure.
Nick