An interesting Liberty Belle cockpit overview by one of the B-17 pilots - dated 2011 but a couple of interesting points
:
1) Landing gear 45-50 seconds to fully retract or extend
2) Significant drag from cowl flaps - sometimes used to assist in trimming/turning the aircraft as in high crosswind.
3) Lands fine with flaps retracted
4) Good discussion on the prop feathering buttons and relationship to pitch control - interestingly mentions that in the event the prop feathering system failure for an engine out, pitch control was the only option to turn the blades at least partially. Curious that he would mention prop feathering failiure in discussion of pitch levers.
Several posts on other sites indicate feathering problems or inability to feather engines on the early G models due to the removal of the oil tank standpipe as part of weight saving measures. I have not been able to confirm and no source given. Anyone?