B-17 vs. B-24
L.T. and flight, this from a close family friend who "was there":
"A very interesting web site [PPRuNe], but I could not enter comments since I was not signed-up. I would prefer answering to you, anyway. As for the commentaries, I had not heard before of the Brits flying B-17s for any purpose, so that was news to me. However, the discussion as to the mission for which the B-17 was designed, there is no question it was designed as a long-range bomber. The Army Air Corps Chief was Major General Benjamin Folois from 1931 to 1935 (I actually had the privilege of knowing him) was the person who initiated the development of the B-17, which saw the light of day in 1935. The B-24 came along in 1939. Those were very lean years for the American military right up to Pearl Harbor. There are no technical reasons why the B-17, which I have flown, could not accomplish the missions assigned to the Coastal Command. They may have flown U. S. coastal patrols - I have not researched the item - but I know first-hand that the B-24D was used for that purpose as my bomb group, 491st (B-24), was formed from a cadre of coastal patrol officers and men. The type of back-and-forth banter on the web site is fun but very esoteric and speculative - that is why it is fun, but illustrates how history is sometimes re-written.
There were several comments that I found particularly interesting. Comments #10 ("PASIR") AND #11 (Jetex Jim) are generally true. A good part of Comment #14 ("Tornadoken") is BS, but stated as a certainty, and reads like the author was a college professor. Comment #18 ("Mr. Fish") is amusing and reminded me of similar stories. It was a common story when I was in England in WW-II about a Martin B-26 crew cruising around the cloud-filled skies of England when they spotted a Mosquito flying below and in front heading in their same direction. It was well-known to all of us that the Mosquito was the fastest twin-engine aircraft around, so the Yanks decided to have fun. "Cruising" around England was common in order for crews to get more flight time. We went to England with minimum of experience. So the crew of the B-26 decided to have fun. They dove the hell out of the plane, behind and approaching the Brit. By the time they reached the Mosquito, they were pushing ahead at a high-speed, whereas the Brit was just cruising. Just as they reached the Mosquito, and still out of view of Brit pilots, the "Marauder" pilot feathered both engines and went sailing by the Mosquito. I doubt that ever happened, but it illustrates how these stories get told, revised and live-on forever.
There is some truth in the circumstances. When I was flying P-51s, we were encouraged to get extra flying and engage in mock dog fights because we had so little time in the aircraft. I had ten hours in the P-51 when I reported for duty with the Second Air Division Scouting Force. One "cloud-filled skies" day I was tooling around and did spot a Spitfire below and in my front going in the same direction, just as with the B-26/Mosquito. Having at least the grand total of 11-15 hours in the P-51, "fighter pilot" Bill decided to jump the Spit. Mistake! As I dove down on his tail to get into a good mock firing position, the Spit pilot - who obviously saw me coming like any real fighter pilot - just pointed his nose straight up, full-throttle obviously, and climbed. I quickly went after him and stalled out in a short time as the Spit continued to climb happily into the heavens. At least that is a true story."
(Posted here with permission. Bless all those who served, who survived, and those who didn't).
Cheers,
Tom
Last edited by Trolltuner; 16th May 2010 at 19:29.