For B-52 fans (NOT the pop rock band!)

[intakexhaust]

Got your attention old rockers? Sorry but this is about the mighty B-17. This pics link was forwarded to me and is cordially encouraged to share with fellow enthusiast. Self explained but the first word in my mind was 'glorious'. Enjoy, Scott

B-17 Aluminum Overcast

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very cool! I was just looking at a B-17 yesterday at the USAF Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, amazing airplanes. Aluminum Overcast was in Wichita last year doing flights, operating from an airport about one mile from my house. It definitely sounded like nothing else flying over my house in the pattern.

[intakexhaust]

Does anyone know the real story behind the B17 gun turret? Wikipedia is vague about it but in the movie production of Preston Tucker, the historical clips talk of an American - Japanese engineer who designed it but Tucker received the credit and was used in the B-17.

[strupgolf]

Great photo's, thanks for sharing. Those planes were the best of the force in WW2. Those engines were so big, wow. My wife's uncle flew those. Over the English channel, he went to dump a bomb that didn't drop and was never seen again.

[azasadny]

Great pics! Thank you for sharing!!

[2.70Racer]

Absolutely spectacular and complete photo's.
I can't help but think how many of these Hero's have gone.
Gone, but never forgotten.
Thanks so much,

[HardDrive]

Looking at the those gun turrets, you can imagine how close the fighters were when they were being attacked. The gunner and the enemy pilot could see each other. The enemy pilot could pull away, but the guy in the turret was stuck. Even if you came back unscathed, I can't imagine how a person would process that kind of fear. True heros.

[doug_porsche]

the plane just does not sound the same on my laptop speakers

[red-beard]

The B-52s were "New Wave", not "Pop Rock".

[intakexhaust]

HardDrive- Thats exactly what I was thinking... eye to eye thousands of feet in the air. Chills.

Other: So today my friend sends me the link and I see the gunsight pic. Just recalled I have one those with the manual polarizing lens. Its a clever mechanical device. I also have the Navy sextant made by Bendix. All mechanical and no batteries needed... GPS today is for wimps! This sextant has a precision clockwork timer and has hang gravity mount for auto leveling. Its amazing to think how the nav's had to work and chart under pressure with this thing and keep the fleet moving forward into a wall of hell.

[tcar]

There are stories about ball turret gunners on the B17...

There was no room for a parachute in the turret, obviously.

Several stories of planes damaged where the turret would not rotate, so the gunner could not get back into the plane.

At least one jumped without a chute from a plane that was falling apart on fire (there's an outside hatch too) and lived. Fell almost 2 miles and landed in trees and very deep snow. No broken bones.

Another couldn't get out either way and the plane crash landed wheels up. The turret disappeared. He knew it was going to happen.

Almost everyone on the B-17s were in their teens or very early 20's.

Thank you for the wonderful pics.

Where's the B-52?

[Rusty Heap]

stunning photos, thanks for sharing.............but why the heck did you have to title this B-52?

[kach22i]

That link should be a great resource for scale and R/C modelers.

[Mark Henry]

My mum is an English war bride, many times I've heard the story of how when her and dad were courting they would lie in the grass at the end of the field and watch the B-17's land.
They would count the holes in the wings as they flew overhead.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

stunning photos, thanks for sharing.............but why the heck did you have to title this B-52?

Was looking at images of planes and got caught up into it with some 20 yr. olds. Interesting listening and talk of planes today and they thought B-52 was just the band. Rarely does the younger gen know of the B-17 and other planes of WW2. Then when they see early images of them with men who were about the same age, it makes quite an impact. Seeing planes of this magnitude at an airshow is one thing but the history behind them is even more awestruck. We must never forget.

[rouxroux]

[QUOTE=tcar;6558731]

Thank you for the wonderful pics.

Where's the B-52?[/QUOT

Well, here's one turning final for BAFB over our house (Many times they are low enough to read their #'s and see nose art) When they are flying at night it sounds as if you could just open the garage door & let them in.

[Rick Lee]

How can I get a ride in one of these for my dad?

[Jim727]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

How can I get a ride in one of these for my dad?

Great idea, Rick. I went up in one and was accompanied by a woman taking her dad along. He had 35 B17 missions in WWII. It's a bit spendy, but I had a moment of sanity and realized that in ten years I would have no idea what I did with the money -- unless I spent it on that flight. Some of the best money I ever spent. I've been a WWII history student for years, and to sit in the bombardier seat and look down was just indescribable.

Check: EAA's B-17 - Aluminum Overcast
and: Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress - The Collings Foundation

There are others, but I know these tour.

Jim

[Jim727]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Looking at the those gun turrets, you can imagine how close the fighters were when they were being attacked. The gunner and the enemy pilot could see each other. The enemy pilot could pull away, but the guy in the turret was stuck. Even if you came back unscathed, I can't imagine how a person would process that kind of fear. True heros.

Agreed.

The fighter jocks got most of the glory, but the bomber crews had most of the guts. Their courage levels were staggering.

[pavulon]

Ever look at an authentic WWII bomber jacket and think it has shrunken over time? If you're avg. sized or bigger and have the opportunity, crawl inside a B-17 some time...those jackets haven't shrunk much.