B-17E 1970s

FlyingFortB17 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:55 pm **Posts:** 217

Was curious to know if anyone knew what Fort this is/was. It is a picture taken back in 1970s, and I am assuming it is a B-17E due to the fancy-schmancy control wheel. I didn't think there were any B-17E's flying until they resurrected Paul Allen's -17 in the 90's. Could this be the only possible plane, or was there more of them flying in the 1970's?

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:33 am

I knew that picture looks familiar!!!. It looks suspiciously like this one...
http://community.webshots.com/photo/475 ... 1814jAKAye
...in fact is is the same picture!!! Where did you get the picture? It is definitely the same picture, but the credit has been conveniently cropped out of the shot. Ethically this is a no-no. Someone should have their wrist slapped! It sort of a mild form of theft.

To give full credit to the photographer, the picture was taken by Bob Wheelans sometime between 1958 and 1962 when he was working for Kenting Aviation. Kenting carried out aerial surveys using Lockheed Hudsons, Boeing B-17s and Consolidated Catalinas and Cansos. My notes, and the notes for the picture in the original album, indicate that Bob couldn't remember the exact type, and thought maybe it was a Hudson. However, you seem to indicate it is a B-17E, and you are likely correct. He is a picture of the airframe it likely to be...
http://community.webshots.com/photo/475 ... 1814Azooqh

Here is the infomation I have on this airframe...
Model: Boeing B-17E-BO Fortress
S/N: 41-9210 USAAF
C/N: 2682
C/R: CF-ICB
Owner: Kenting Aviation

You were also correct. This airframe is now with Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection in Arlington (north of Seattle) and is currently undergoing restoration.

To see more of Bob's pictures visit the album on line at...
http://community.webshots.com/album/475148300VYmKxK

To read more about Bob and the pictures he took pick up a back issue of Warbird Digest #4.

Any questions?

Mike

FlyingFortB17 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:55 pm **Posts:** 217

That most certainly is the same photo. Cut my hands off! Did a search on the said site and only that pic came up. Definitely not mine, nor did I intend to make it look like mine. As far as cropping? I don't know, I did not hotlink it from that site but from my comp. at work. To that gentleman, credit is due.

Well the outside shot of this gives it away. It is a B-17E. Cool stuff!

Question: Where was this flying out of?

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:11 am

FlyingFortB17 wrote:

That most certainly is the same photo. Cut my hands off! Did a search on the said site and only that pic came up. Definitely not mine, nor did I intend to make it look like mine.

I figured that was the case. I put a complaint into Photobucket. I'll see what kind of a reply I receive.

They are some very cool pictures aren't they? I liked the photo survey P-38 the best.

Mike

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:43 am

FlyingFortB17 wrote:

Question: Where was this flying out of?

I forgot to answer this question before... Kenting with their B-17s did aerial survey work anywhere from Northern Canada while operating out of DEW line sites, all the way south to Peru! So this picture could have been taken anywhere. I would guess the picture was taken someplace around Peru simply by the clothing they are wearing.

I'll update that picture with new comments and move it to a position in the album adjacent to the other B-17E pics.

Mike

Swiss Mustangs · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:45 pm

absolutely awesome collection, Mike -

that P-38 indeed is a stunner, but for me the winner is that FAG T-6 !

cheers
Martin

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:49 pm

Swiss Mustangs wrote:

absolutely awesome collection, Mike -

that P-38 indeed is a stunner, but for me the winner is that FAG T-6 !

cheers
Martin

If you look in the background of that FAG T-6 shot you will see the B-17E.

As I indicated, if you would like the text to go with the pictures it is all in WD #4.

Mike

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:46 pm

FlyingFortB17 wrote:

Was curious to know if anyone knew what Fort this is/was. It is a picture taken back in 1970s, and I am assuming it is a B-17E due to the fancy-schmancy control wheel. I didn't think there were any B-17E's flying until they resurrected Paul Allen's -17 in the 90's. Could this be the only possible plane, or was there more of them flying in the 1970's?

FlyingFortB17,

Before I understood this was an innocent mistake I had submitted a complaint to Photo Bucket. They really brought the hammer down! Sorry about that. I'll reload a copy of this picture onto my website tonight and provide you with the link so that you can edit your original message.

Mike

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Sat Jul 01, 2006 3:22 pm

The picture in question has been reloaded...

Bob Wheelans, the photographer of this photo, just sent me an email today with comments about the photo...

Quote:

Thanks for the most interesting recent E-mail. I had it in my mind that the picture in question was from a Hudson but if you look at the lower right I think I can see a portion of a seat which would not be there if it were a Hudson. The right side of a Hudson had a pass through to allow access to the nose for the navigator. There was a seat but it was a minimal fold-up kind of affair. The radar profiler I was operating was directly behind and below the co-pilots position and if I stood up my frame of reference would be exactly as the picture shows. The picture must have been taken when we were ferrying somewhere because if we were working the oxygen masks would have been on.

Mike

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B-17E 1970s

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