How to Start a B17

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

How to Start a B17

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

How do these guys remember all that vital information, amazing. The guy doing all the talking is actually the famous actor Arthur Kennedy from 40's and 50's movies. Thanks for sharing.

-- Edited by long stroke on Saturday 11th of January 2020 09:42:00 PM

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I often wonder if I would have had what it takes to learn such a complex task. Today...nope. 40 years ago, just maybe.

It's a task better left to the young mind, and probably to a mind that comes in knowing little to nothing about things mechanical.

JetRider · Addicted!

In June 2016 the Regina Flying Club hosted a B17 for a few days of a plane tour on the tarmac and an option to go for a flight of around 40 mins.What an absolute thrill!! The B17 was called Aluminium Overcast and was built in May 1945 and never seen action in WW11.You couldn't help but think of those young guys in those planes as you took off and experienced the sounds and smells of that plane.

They encouraged you to get up after take off and explore every inch of that plane during the flight.From the 50 Cal waist gunners positions to the clear nose where the bomb site was it was amazing and something I will never forget.

They produced over 12,500 of those planes during the war and there are only about 9-10 flying to this day.They actually lost one of those B17s this fall when "Nine O Nine" crashed during a similar flight that included interested people wanting to experience the B17 just as I did.

Can you imagine being a 22-23 year old young man in that seat taking the training to fly those bombing missions?? Unbelievable what those guys did and the sacrifices they made!!

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Now we know why some of these guys were such great Hot Rodders. They had to know all about fuel octane, manifold pressure, fuel mixture etc. I went down the rabbit hole and watched a number of videos on flying the B17 last night. Incredible machines for the time.

64PARCONUK · Addicted!

What amazes me is how little the procedures have changed, at least with the piston aircraft I have the privilege to fly. Although I haven't flown multi-engine for a number of years, even the single engine aircraft in my Club all have dual mags, a manual mixture control lever and similar check list procedures. Our Piper Arrow has a third power lever for pitch commands to the variable pitch prop, but no cowl flaps. Oh, you also don't need to be young or clever to learn this stuff. I started in my early thirties, with a very average intellect, but I'm still learning forty years later!

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MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Wow! Thanks for posting those, Todd!

An amazing level of detail involved just to get it off the ground! Then comes the cold temperatures and low pressure (non pressurized cabins), not to mention the perils of combat.

I'm left speechless and in awe.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Imagine coming back from a 12 hour bomb run, half the plane tore apart, casualties on board (and maybe you with wounds) and then trying to remember the landing procedures. Unbelievable..

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I had a flight on B-17 "Sentimental Journey" in Phoenix about 10 years ago. Back in the mid 80's I flew on a number of DC3's up to the arctic, so I was used to the sound and feeling of a WW2 vintage aircraft.

It was still an amazing flight.

MC · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Canadian Poncho wrote:
Imagine coming back from a 12 hour bomb run, half the plane tore apart, casualties on board (and maybe you with wounds) and then trying to remember the landing procedures. Unbelievable..

Check out the end of this video, when they are returning from the mission - it's amazing how some of them stayed in the air after being so shot up.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Here's some training just in case your B17 has a problem..

64PARCONUK · Addicted!

Thanks for all 3 of those Todd. Even in #3, not a lot has changed. In the stall training however, we no longer lift a dropped wing back up with the rudder (and I have to make sure no candidate tries to do so when I'm examining), we just use enough rudder to prevent further wing drop. Also, we teach (and test) no movement of the flap lever at all when close to the ground.

I love that there was so much emphasis on angle of attack, at too many flight schools it's often not given enough time and attention in briefings or ground school.