Y1B-17 Seeking details

Holedigger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:12 pm

I am working on a Y1B-17 and hunting for decent pics of the top and side blisters and belly tub. Found good ones of the 299, but I believe these were substantially changed on the production model. Engine cowl/exhaust pics also needed. Here is a small snapshot of the bird in progress. Good close-up pics of these 14 birds seem to be somewhat rare and hard to find.

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... c&start=75

Holedigger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:32 pm

Bingo! I knew I had seen some pics somewhere! Thanks!

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:33 pm

Here is one photo of a YB at the Amarillo AAF B-17 Mechanic School:

There are some new photos posted by Credible_Sport here: http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... c&start=75

I can PM or email you a bunch more tonight if this isn't enough material.

Looking good so far!
Scott

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

Hey Scott..,

Why don't you build a model of this aircraft?

That would be way cool!!!!

:wink:

Holedigger · **Posted:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:57 pm

Thanks, it will take me some time to dig through these and find if all the data I need it there.....since this really isn't my day job, it will be late tonight for me to review! Here is the level of detail I am after and hence, the seeking of more and better pics!

Mgawa · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:00 am

Hhhhmmmm- very interesting, I also start work on this type few weeks ago.

Jesse C. · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:51 pm

The new IPMS Journal has a write up on a kit conversion.

http://www.ipmsusa.org/

TonyM · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:28 pm

Holedigger wrote:

I am working on a Y1B-17 and hunting for decent pics... Good close-up pics of these 14 birds seem to be somewhat rare and hard to find.

HoleDigger,

According to my several reference books concerning B-17 airplanes, there are only 13 Y1B-17 airplanes, not fourteen.

36-149 through 36-161

See page 71

THE FLYING FORTRESS STORY

by Roger Freeman

The profile you put up in the first post of the thread is a YB-17A, not a Y1B-17.

There was only one of these: YB-17A # 37-369;
This one was a Y1B-17 with turbo-superchargers installed.

See photos on Page 16

B-17 FLYING FORTRESS
In Detail and Scale

By Alwyn T. Lloyd

The text says that the YB-17A was originally a non-flying static test version of the Y1B-17. After the successful tests involving the Y1B-17s, this airplane was made flyable and given a serial number and a new designation.

TonyM.

TonyM

Holedigger · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:19 pm

I am illustrating what I think is a Y1B-17, #61 of the 96th BS,and I don't think it was the one and only A? The Pics I have seen of this particular AC has the air scoops on top and no turbos visible. (I don't have those scoops on yet) The turbocharged version had the scoop removed from the top didn't it? That is what the photo evidence I have seen so far seem to indicate. (The "A" in the title below it is a typo and is gone now.) I have seen a lot of contradictory info on these early birds and a lot of mislabeled photos as well. I have yet to find a good pic of the engine cowling and scoops.
Here it is wit a bit more done to it.

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:30 pm

I can definitely help you with this project, but it will be later in the weekend at the earliest before I can get the pictures up. You're correct about the carb intake, it is located on top and the fairing terminates in the exhaust opening on top of the nacelle. The "A" had the turbos mounted in a huge fairing on top of the nacelle/wing in the original installation. If I can find a photo on my other computer I'll zap it out yet tonight.

Scott

Holedigger · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:36 pm

Thanks! Chasing details on these early forts is sure like chasing ghosts! My best B-17 picture ref book has soooooo many errors when it comes to the early forts, I don't even want to name it's publisher!! (I'd rather not get sued!)

Mgawa · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:40 pm

You are right about details, I am lucky to have some images fom one private collection. Once I finish series of profile I will display some of this profiles. Even with the same Y1B17 have variation in details.

Wish you best luck in project

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:53 pm

Here is ship #61. I apologize for the grainy blow-up.

I have LOTS of detail shots of the YBs. I promise to get them to you either in a PM or email. Sorry it'll take some time, but Chuckie calls and we also have visitors this weekend.

Scott

TonyM · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:00 am

Holedigger wrote:

I am illustrating what I think is a Y1B-17, #61 of the 96th BS,and I don't think it was the one and only A?

According to my reference books, there was only one YB-17A.

That was 37-369.

See:

B-17 IN ACTION
by Larry Davis

B-17 FLYING FORTRESS
In Detail and Scale
By Alwyn T. Lloyd

THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS STORY
By Roger Freeman

FLYING FORTS
by Martin Caidin

FLYING FORTRESS
by Edward Jablonski

B-17 FORTRESS AT WAR
by Roger Freeman

All of these books say that there was only one YB-17A. They could be wrong, but I doubt it.

Also, you cannot be sued by a publisher if you point out an error in one of its books. I am a published aviation author and I point out errors in books I reveiw on line all the time. You can even call out an author by name if you find an error. It will not get you sued. It is part of the process.

And Joe Baugher's excellent AAF serial number website lists only one YB-17A.

If you have reference to the contrary, please post it for all of us to see.

Thanks.

Tony M.

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