B17 Flying Fortress.

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Discussion

Eric Mc

121,768 posts

264 months

Thursday 7th August 2014
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Thanks - that was very informative.

You can see the effect fitting a turbo system had on the design of the P-47.

PanzerCommander

5,026 posts

217 months

Thursday 7th August 2014
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I saw Sally B at Dragstalgia this year, she put in a fantastic display for the crowds. Such a graceful machine, the big radials certainly have a different sound to the Merlins in a lancaster but its different rather than not as good. I can imagine that being stood watching a whole squadron take off was an incredible sight.

I will see if I have any half decent photos to post.

f1rob

316 posts

175 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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Eric Mc said:
She went through various permutations in her career.

When she first arrived in the UK she was in bare aluminium and the main "restoration" required was the application of USAAF markings.

A couple of years later a remote control chin turret was added to make her look more like a wartime B-17G.

By 1984 the aircraft had been repainted in dark olive drab/neutral gray colours - which was the norm for B-17s up until early 1944 or thereabouts.

In 1989 she one of the B-17s used in the film "Memphis Belle" and was repainted in a lighter shade of olive drab and received markings to make her look like the original Memphis Belle (the original Memphis Belle was a B-17F - which didn't have the chin turret.

She has carried those colours ever since.
My father use to tell me about working in the fields in north Norfolk in 1943/4/5 an how they use to count the American bomber formations as they formed and went overhead in their hundreds and the stories always fascinated me
Fast forward to the early 90,s and I was working for Team Lotus based at Ketteringham hall which ironically was the wartime headquarters of the 8th air force and two evenings we had a formation of 6 b17,s fly over
the second night they had a ME109 buzzing them doing fake attacks with mock machine guns firing
Still one of the most memorable /evocative and moving things I have ever seen

RichB

51,429 posts

283 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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f1rob said:
Still one of the most memorable /evocative and moving things I have ever seen
What more so even than the birth of your first child? wink

dr_gn

16,140 posts

183 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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matchmaker said:
FourWheelDrift said:
B-17G used the R-1820-97 version of the Cyclone which was Turbosupercharged.

It helped it get to 35,000ft with a full bomb load.
Which means turbocharged...
No, it means turbosupercharged.

The outlet of the turbocharger feeds the inlet of geared supercharger on the rear of the engine. This supercharger increases pressure further and helps to distribute the compressed fuel/air radially to the cylinders.

The P-47 and P-38 were also turbo-supercharged NOT soleley turbocharged.

Turbo compounding is different again, and usually refers to feeding power form an exhaust driven turbine mechanically back into the engine.

PanzerCommander

5,026 posts

217 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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One of several taken from Dragstalgia 2014:


steviejasp

1,646 posts

164 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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And one from today at Shoreham.

JVaughan

6,025 posts

282 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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Saw her flying low over Anna Valley nr Andover as she climbed up and over the A303 this afternoon. smile

aeropilot

34,288 posts

226 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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It's nicer when you are lucky enough to get a bit more up close and personal with a B-17G biggrinwink


steviejasp

1,646 posts

164 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Lucky, Lucky Git

Edited by eybic on Wednesday 3rd September 12:42

paulrussell

2,084 posts

160 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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It flew over where I work, but I didn't get to see it as I was inside for those few minutes when Sally B flew overhead.

f1rob

316 posts

175 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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RichB said:
hat more so even than the birth of your first child? wink
No that was messy and dirty and a traumatic
Hence why he is an only child !
Would willingly watch another. B17 thou

Eric Mc

121,768 posts

264 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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f1rob said:
No that was messy and dirty and a traumatic
Hence why he is an only child !
Would willingly watch another. B17 thou
Agreed. I know what experience I'd prefer smile

RichB

51,429 posts

283 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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laugh

insurance_jon

4,054 posts

245 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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I think I saw her over brands hatch yesterday

TTmonkey

20,911 posts

246 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Saw her at the airshow yesterday,. Beautiful.

Mr_B

10,480 posts

242 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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insurance_jon said:
I think I saw her over brands hatch yesterday
Came directly over my place near Dartford yesterday afternoon around 4pm I think it was.

geoffers360

41 posts

149 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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If you get yourself over to the US you can go up in one. I was lucky enough to be at the "fun in the sun" airshow in Florida in April and got a flight in the B17G "Texas Raiders". Fantastic experience and would recommend it highly - I even got a certificate.



Edited by eybic on Wednesday 3rd September 12:41

steviejasp

1,646 posts

164 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Wow, really? I never knew that!! I'll have a look....

Eric Mc

121,768 posts

264 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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It's possible to buy flights in warbirds in the US. Sadly, there are risks involved -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2474769/US...