b-17 41666

[hang the expense]

Looks like she survived the war and was broken up at albuquerque New Mexico in 45.The sent a bunch of these early war veterans back to the states to a training unit in new mexico and there are picures of these birds being re-assembled.Seems they didnt fly back but were shipped back to the states.someone needs to look at the serial numbers in the pics.

[ZeamerB17]

... and there are pictures of these birds being re-assembled.Seems they didnt fly back but were shipped back to the states. someone needs to look at the serial numbers in the pics.

Where are these photos? I'd be glad to look at them.

[ZeamerB17]

[hang the expense]

The guy who did the Talisman book on nose art has then.His name is John m Ccampbell of oklahoma. At one time he had these pictures on Evilbay.He has a few pics or more of these birds.I will look for a phone number for you.He must have a good collection of pics because he had one of MissCarry from the 390th BG.Its an upclose noseart pic at that. The phone number is 970-352-7424.I hope you find one of 666.

[JOHN MILLER]

I remember seeing a picture of one in a book. I checked mine just now and not in any of them, so must of been a library book. It had a article about them as "protection" for the formations and how they were so heavy with armament they could not keep up with the formation. Sorry, I don't know what book,been a whle, bu I recall they had a picture of one of them.
JOHN

[hang the expense]

I think you are talking about the YB-40 gunship(b-17).Early in the war in the pacific rarley did they have big formations of B-17s.I think most were single to five ship missions at best.In a bomber I would take defensive armament (all the guns I could carry) anytime.I dont care how fast a 17 would be it aint out running a zero.Unless its a sharkfin.

[tulsaboy]

Hang,

To the best of my knowledge, the only combat trials with the YB-40 took place in Europe in the 8th Air Force. After they were judged to be an operational failure as a concept (while nonetheless incorporating the added chin turret and staggered waist positions into the B-17G model) the remaining examples were rotated back stateside to be used as trainers.

kevin

[airnutz]

The YB-40 only carried 14 guns

Gemmer, the YB-40 carried 14 or MORE guns in those experiments. Up to 30 flex guns and various cannon
as well, though after 9 missions the AAF ceased the operational trial.

There was nothing preventing Col. Zeamer and the "Eager Beavers" from trying any "practical" modification
they dreamed up...other than mods found to hamper '666's mission capability.

[Chris Brame]

the remaining examples were rotated back stateside to be used as trainers.

And several of them show up in the last scene of The Best Years of Our Lives; check out the still grabs I sent to the Aerovintage site.

http://www.aerovintage.com/bestyrs.htm

[B-17 Buff]

YB-40 pics are easy enough to come by, i've got a few. - a/c like 666 a bit harder!!

[ZeamerB17]

YB-40 pics are easy enough to come by, i've got a few. - a/c like 666 a bit harder!!

You got that right!

[Jack Cook]

Up to 30 flex guns and various cannon
as well

30 guns and cannon and the a/c would've never got off the ground:idea:
Ok-I'll take that Pepsi challenge you've gotta prove that
I'd say 2 tail, 2 l waist, 2 r waist, 2 ball turret, 2 top turret forward,
2 top turret aft, 2 chin turret, 1 left nose (?), 1 right nose (?). So that 14 or 16.
Where were the others

[airnutz]

Up to 30 flex guns and various cannon
as well

30 guns and cannon and the a/c would've never got off the ground:idea:
Ok-I'll take that Pepsi challenge you've gotta prove that
I'd say 2 tail, 2 l waist, 2 r waist, 2 ball turret, 2 top turret forward,
2 top turret aft, 2 chin turret, 1 left nose (?), 1 right nose (?). So that 14 or 16.
Where were the others

I knew that wasn't gonna slide by without challenge, but it wasn't 30-flex and cannon. Various combos
were tried and tossed. I understand the 30-flex have been seen in drawings, but no photos. Until some
reference material come to light...we'll agree to 'bench story'. Jablonski skirted the details in "Flying Fortress"
when he stated, "the XB-40 carried no less than 14 .50's".

The XB and YB's were also adding armour, while Zeamer and crew were chucking all that and depending
on the offensive reach and range of the .50's negating the dependancy on the armour.

2-tail, 4-waist, 2 belly turret, 2-radio room, 2-top turret, 2-out each cheek(4), 2-nose and 1-fixed overhead nose
for pilot...or possibly some variation thereof.

[groundpounder]

im gonna get a freeze frame off of the dogfights episode and see what they have on there. i do remember they had a fixed gun for the pilots to use. ive seen some pics of other planes that also had twin .50's coming out of the nose glass instead of the chin, as at least one more .50 coming out of the lower portion of the glass as well. it looks like E model front glass wth a modified flat lower section and the planes name is spooook !. i dont have a scanner so sorry no pic. i'll get back to you you with the dogfights count later.

[Jack Cook]

Here's a few...............







Note the duals .50s and the fixed .50s plus all the ball mounts for the .30s.