Masters of the Air

[phil65]

So I'm finally getting around to watching Masters of the Air.
And I keep seeing a bunch of numbers and stuff on the back of the pilot's and co-pilot's seats. I've never seen this before. Does anybody know what this is ?

Thanks,
Phil

[JohnB]

I haven't seen it, but period photos of some B-17 seats show Army Air Force painted on them. I believe some had Lockheed as well.

[JohnTerrell]

The diagrams/charts you're referring to, Phil, are an authentic factory-applied detail of the upper portions of the pilot's and co-pilot's armor plates (behind their heads). The co-pilot's side featured "B-17 Operating Instructions" (mostly procedures), while the pilot's side featured "B-17 Flight Operation Instructions" (mostly performance charts) - all of which is amongst the same information as found in the pilot's manual.

[phil65]

Okay, thanks for the information. That's kind of what I thought.
Not the best locations for them..

Phil

[Richard W.]

The Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner is directly behind the pilots.

Are the charts there for his reference?