B-17's of 403rd BS Laverton 1942

Invader26 · **Joined:** Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:56 am **Posts:** 843

B-17C's or D's and a USAAF Lodestar last pic. RAAF "erks" helping out too.

I like the fixed gun in the nose of the first B-17. Fired by the pilot..

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2635

TriangleP wrote:

Don't want to be pedantic about it but the first three pics are B-17E's, based on the metal framing in the plexiglas nose and the top turret; the last B-17 pic is probably a B-17C judging by the lack of "gills" on the engine nacelles, the rest being obvious. B-17D's introduced these on the engines AFAIK, but I could be wrong. B-17C/D experts should chime in now...
I wonder about the identity/serial number of both of the B-17s. Not very many B-17Cs built...

The third pic down has "2061" written on the ADF if that helps.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2013 1:32 pm

B-17C s/n's 2052-2077, AN 520 -AN 537 as Fortress 1's

gemmer · **Joined:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:54 am **Posts:** 314

mike furline wrote:

TriangleP wrote:

Don't want to be pedantic about it but the first three pics are B-17E's, based on the metal framing in the plexiglas nose and the top turret; the last B-17 pic is probably a B-17C judging by the lack of "gills" on the engine nacelles, the rest being obvious. B-17D's introduced these on the engines AFAIK, but I could be wrong. B-17C/D experts should chime in now...
I wonder about the identity/serial number of both of the B-17s. Not very many B-17Cs built...

The third pic down has "2061" written on the ADF if that helps.

2061 doesn't correspond to any B-17E serial numbers.
The B-17C is 40-2072, used as a transport after being badly shot up in December of '41.
It crashed on June 14th 1943 killing 40 aircrew and passengers.

Duane

gemmer · **Joined:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:54 am **Posts:** 314

TriangleP wrote:

Duane, I recall that the crash was in Australia?

Yes. Bakers Creek, Queensland.

Duane

Invader26 · **Joined:** Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:56 am **Posts:** 843

Quote:

Don't want to be pedantic about it but the first three pics are B-17E's, based on the metal framing in the plexiglas nose and the top turret;

Since when do B-17E's have the lower ball turret looking like the "tub" on those aircraft?

SaxMan · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:14 pm

Invader26 wrote:

Quote:

Don't want to be pedantic about it but the first three pics are B-17E's, based on the metal framing in the plexiglas nose and the top turret;

Since when do B-17E's have the lower ball turret looking like the "tub" on those aircraft?

The first B-17Es had the nearly useless remote control turret, which pretty much looks like what you're seeing in pic 1. They were so bad, crews often pulled the guns to save weight, put in broomsticks or put .30 caliber guns in with tracer ammunition to discourage any attackers from that direction.

gemmer · **Joined:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:54 am **Posts:** 314

Two pics of 40-2072 after being shot up. Maybe someone can figure out how to enlarge the small one. I'm not very computer friendly.

Duane

gemmer · **Joined:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:54 am **Posts:** 314

Here's the other one.

gemmer · **Joined:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:54 am **Posts:** 314

Invader26 wrote:

B-17C's or D's and a USAAF Lodestar last pic. RAAF "erks" helping out too.

I like the fixed gun in the nose of the first B-17. Fired by the pilot..

The gun was mounted in a flexible socket mount that was installed in a steel plate that replaced the ventilator door, not to be confused with the later fixed gun installation in the extreme lower nose on some Es and Fs of the 43rd BG. I belive Zeamer'e 666 had one.

Duane

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Sat Nov 23, 2013 6:23 pm

Here you go (I tweaked it a little):

gemmer · **Joined:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:54 am **Posts:** 314

Chris Brame wrote:

Here you go (I tweaked it a little):

Much better.

Thanks,

Duane

Bomberboy · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:36 pm **Posts:** 64

TriangleP wrote:

Don't want to be pedantic about it but the first three pics are B-17E's, based on the metal framing in the plexiglas nose and the top turret; the last B-17 pic is probably a B-17C judging by the lack of "gills" on the engine nacelles, the rest being obvious. B-17D's introduced these on the engines AFAIK, but I could be wrong. B-17C/D experts should chime in now...
I wonder about the identity/serial number of both of the B-17s. Not very many B-17Cs built...

I'd go along with this in that the first three pics are E's, the fifth is a C, but the aircraft in the last picture with the Jeep, is not even a fortress.
At a glance, it looks like a Hudson or similar type.

ZeamerB17 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:38 am

CDF wrote:

If I'm not mistaken, that is Raymond E. Holsey, pilot, of the 43rd BG sitting in the driver's seat of the Jeep.

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B-17's of 403rd BS Laverton 1942

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