B-17 Bomber Crew Training ...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7818

... 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

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7818

Part 2

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7818

Part 3

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:00 pm

fantastic Mark! :drink3:

lmritger · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:43 pm

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 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:14 pm **Posts:** 126

Fasinating....

cco23i · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:22 pm

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

pjpahs · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 5:09 pm

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:09 pm

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:28 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:

Part 3

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

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:06 pm

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:10 pm

JohnB wrote:

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.

Warbird Information Exchange

B-17 Bomber Crew Training ...

Who is online