B-17 Bomber Crew Training ...

[Mark Allen M]

... This LIFE series seems to be focusing on a B-17 crew training in various ways. Ditching in the ocean, life raft training, gunnery training & maintenance etc. As usual not much for information as to when, (c 1943) where, who, etc.

Neat stuff.

Part 1

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

Part 2

[Mark Allen M]

Part 3

[Pat Carry]

fantastic Mark!

[lmritger]

Holy smokes, these are freakin' awesome! I love the overhead shot showing the crew in ditching positions with their B-3 vests already inflated... I've seen diagrams and explanations of how that should be done but that's the very first photo I've ever seen showing it.

Great find, my friend!

Lynn

[BAJ]

Fasinating....

[cco23i]

The gunnery practice with the shadows, MMMM now ideas for camp

[pjpahs]

Have been reading a Squadron Signal publication on the JU 88 and it showed the liferaft just forward of the rudder
also with outside access, obvious, and had a tether cord to keep it from drifting when in the drink. I didn't know the
B-17 and maybe all of our bombers had same. Just a good idea.

[JohnB]

Judging by the vehicles and buildings in the background, the photos were taken in the UK.
It's interesting to see the nose being used for bombardier training. Off a wrecked or war weary ship I suppose

[RAMC181]

Part 3

Nice.
RAF Shadowgraph Trainer with USAAF modification (the .50 cal mockup)

[Chris Brame]

At least one of the photos is reversed (Maybe more? Over to the experts...).
This film covers the territory quite well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4xTjvtS5W0
Starring Dyersburg-based B-17F 42-6092 (note the DY tail code is missing in some shots).

[RAMC181]

Judging by the vehicles and buildings in the background, the photos were taken in the UK.
It's interesting to see the nose being used for bombardier training. Off a wrecked or war weary ship I suppose

I'm pretty certain these were taken at RAF Bovingdon.