Originally Posted by
tartare
Knowing absolutely zip about the B-17 - a few questions.
With that number of people on board, and fuel load - how close would they be to MTOW? (which wiki tells me is 65,000lbs for the G model).
160 gals of 100LL @ 6lbs per gallon = 960lbs of fuel weight?
13 (I think) POB @ 140lbs per average person = roughly 2000lbs?
I know that's a very back of the envelope calculation, but it's a WW2 Bomber - designed to carry a heavy payload - I'm trying to understand why one engine out would see them struggling to make the airfield.
Extra drag from the dead prop, combined with the payload?
Had always thought one engine out on a four engined bomber such as this didn't necessarily mean a critical loss of control.
Happy to be enlightened.
And I should add - no intention to cast any blame on the pilots - just wondering.
No bombs, no 'real' guns, no .50 cal ammo, no high altitude oxygen equipment, no armour plating, no heavy WW2 radio equip etc., and only 3 more people on board than its designed combat crew of 10, I don't think '909' was anywhere near MTOW, even if it had had full tanks.
More interesting is the info in the report that may have indicated that engine No.3 was almost feathered at time of impact?
4 out and 3 on the way out or almost out for whatever reason would have made life more difficult at the low level they were already at?