Aluminum Overcast (Pic. Heavy)

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xl_target
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Aluminum Overcast (Pic. Heavy)

Post by xl_target » Wed May 30, 2012 9:54 pm

I recently came across these photos that I took a few years ago.
A B17 bomber, on the way to the annual airshow in Oshkosh Wisconsin, stopped by at our local airport.
I don't remember how I heard about it but my boss gave me the afternoon off to go see it.
This was an aircraft that had been totally redone. The metal work, paint, cockpit furniture, etc all looked brand new. It was a rare treat to be able to crawl around inside it and touch everything.


A B17 "Flying Fortresss" bomber was crewed by 10 airmen. Initially it was hoped that their armament alone would protect them as they flew on their missions. This is a late model B17G. Bombers like this flew 1000 bomber raids over the Third Reich during WW2. The crew consisted of ten men. The aircraft was armed with twelve fifty caliber machine guns. Even that wasn't enough to protect them from the defending German fighters. Eventually they had to be escorted by fighters to protect them but they still took losses. About 45,000 aircrew gave their lives in B17 raids over Europe. An Apalling sacrifice!




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The Boeing B17G Flying Fortress "Aluminum Overcast"

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B17G with four Wright Cyclone engines
The four supercharged Wright R-1820-97 Cyclones delivered 1,200 hp (895 kW) each and gave a top speed of 287 mph (462 km/h), cruising at 182 mph (293 km/h). Service ceiling was 35,800 ft. (10,850 m), with a max. range of 3,400 miles (5,471 km)

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Here one can see the glassed in bombardiers position , the chin turret and the cheek guns

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The chin turret, with its two .50 caliber machine guns, was added to the G model of the B17 to defend against head-on attacks by Luftwaffe fighters.

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In WW2, it was common for crews to paint pin-up girls on their aircraft

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The bombardiers position showing the two cheek guns and the famous Norden bombsight.

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The catwalk in the bomb bay. This was the only way for crew member to cross from the front of the plae to the back and vice-versa. I'm sure it was a truly daunting task when the bomb bay doors were open as the walkway is mere inches wide.

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The waist gunners position. The top of the belly turret can be seen.


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This is the belly turret on the B17. A very tight squeeze!

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One side of the bomb bay

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The rear view

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The tail gunners position; the sting in the tail!

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If you would like to see larger photos, you can view them Here
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense” — Winston Churchill, Oct 29, 1941

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prashantsingh
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Re: Aluminum Overcast

Post by prashantsingh » Wed May 30, 2012 10:14 pm

So spick and span.
Even after so many decades.It looks like it's just out of the factory.

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xl_target
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Re: Aluminum Overcast (Pic. Heavy)

Post by xl_target » Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:37 am

She came back today.

[youtube][/youtube]

What a beautiful bird. It is amazing that she is in such good shape after 70 years.
It was worth going out there to see her, even though it rained.
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense” — Winston Churchill, Oct 29, 1941

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brihacharan
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Re: Aluminum Overcast (Pic. Heavy)

Post by brihacharan » Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:51 am

Nostalgia at its peak :D
Thanks for sharing xl_target - your pictures are awesome in detail & definition...
Briha

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Re: Aluminum Overcast (Pic. Heavy)

Post by essdee1972 » Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:59 pm

Thanks for sharing, XL.....!!

Reminds one of the times when "Big B" referred to Berlin rather than Mr. Bachchan!

The belly gunner was the worst position, as he had to sit almost upside down for hours when over Axis occupied territory.

I have a book which contains excerpts from the diary of a guy who served as bombardier. He died on his last flight. The day before, he had written about all the plans he had made for celebrating his return.

Salute to the guys who preserved the world from Nazism.
Cheers!

EssDee
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Vikram
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Re: Aluminum Overcast (Pic. Heavy)

Post by Vikram » Wed Jul 02, 2014 3:05 pm

XL,

Another excellent thread. Thank you for the fantastic photos and the description. I really enjoyed reading this.

my boss gave me the afternoon off to go see it.
Sounds like a terrific boss to work for.

Best-
Vikram
It ain’t over ’til it’s over! "Rocky,Rocky,Rocky....."

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