What would you like to be on a B-17 or B-24 - Aircraft of World War II

B-17engineer · 02-18-2008, 04:35 PM

I am Just wondering what position you would like to fly in a bomber.

A B-17 or a B-24

Pilot, Co-pilot, Engineer, Navigator, Bombadier, Left Waist, Right Waist, Ball Turret, Tail Gunner, Radio Operator.

Personally a Engineer. I know a lot with aviation and I would get to use those .50 cals on the B-17

ccheese · 02-18-2008, 05:18 PM

I have been the Radioman on the Navy PB-1 (B-17) and the PB4Y-2
(a single tail version of the B-24). As far as I'm concerned it's the best
spot on the airplane. I've had the pleasure of sitting in the right front
seat, too. Of course, when someone is shooting at you, you wanna be
someplace where you can shoot back.

Charles

syscom3 · 02-18-2008, 05:43 PM

Having flown on both, I say the B17.

B-17engineer · 02-18-2008, 06:08 PM

Cool, and what postion were you?

syscom3 · 02-18-2008, 06:35 PM

I flew on the Collings Foundations B17 and B24.

I sampled all of the positions that were open for us to sit at, and decided that the B17 was the best.

ToughOmbre · 02-18-2008, 06:43 PM

Waist gunner on the Fort.

TO

B-17engineer · 02-18-2008, 07:17 PM

Nice.......

Erich · 02-18-2008, 07:18 PM

none .....especially during a heavy flak barrage or under LW attack

orion549 · 02-19-2008, 12:05 AM

Tail gunner on a B-17, or the top turret, not sure who would normally man that. I'd say Ball as well, but it seems too cramped for me, and I'm not really claustrophobic at all even...tho I'm a little guy, so I'd fit.

Njaco · 02-19-2008, 11:43 AM

Radioman on a B-17. I think they controlled the top turret. Wanta good view all around.

ToughOmbre · 02-19-2008, 11:53 AM

I think the engineer manned the top turret. The radioman had the single .50 that fired out of the hatch in the radio compartment. That gun was removed after a while since it's range of fire made it mostly ineffective.

TO

ccheese · 02-19-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njaco

Radioman on a B-17. I think they controlled the top turret. Wanta good view all around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToughOmbre

I think the engineer manned the top turret. The radioman had the single .50 that fired out of the hatch in the radio compartment. That gun was removed after a while since it's range of fire made it mostly ineffective.

TO

Our PB-1's didnt have a top or belly turret. I had a little cubby-hole on
the starboard side with all my gear. The only weapons on board were our
Govt. issued Model 1911's.

Charles

FLYBOYJ · 02-19-2008, 12:38 PM

Either one - as long as it was over the Caribbean doing sub patrol duty. Pilot of course flying it with my Hawaiian shirt and my 50 mission cap!

Njaco · 02-19-2008, 11:28 PM

Charles I can see you popping off a few at a MiG through a porthole on the 17!

comiso90 · 02-19-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

Either one - as long as it was over the Caribbean doing sub patrol duty. Pilot of course flying it with my Hawaiian shirt and my 50 mission cap!

I agree... and to that I'll add SAR missions looking for island girls.

.

02-18-2008, 04:35 PM	#1
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,684	What would you like to be on a B-17 or B-24 I am Just wondering what position you would like to fly in a bomber. A B-17 or a B-24 Pilot, Co-pilot, Engineer, Navigator, Bombadier, Left Waist, Right Waist, Ball Turret, Tail Gunner, Radio Operator. Personally a Engineer. I know a lot with aviation and I would get to use those .50 cals on the B-17 __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

02-18-2008, 05:18 PM	#2
ccheese Older Than Dirt Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 7,309	I have been the Radioman on the Navy PB-1 (B-17) and the PB4Y-2 (a single tail version of the B-24). As far as I'm concerned it's the best spot on the airplane. I've had the pleasure of sitting in the right front seat, too. Of course, when someone is shooting at you, you wanna be someplace where you can shoot back. Charles __________________ I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either....

02-18-2008, 05:43 PM	#3
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,281	Having flown on both, I say the B17. __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

02-18-2008, 06:08 PM	#4
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,684	Cool, and what postion were you? __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

02-18-2008, 06:35 PM	#5
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,281	I flew on the Collings Foundations B17 and B24. I sampled all of the positions that were open for us to sit at, and decided that the B17 was the best. __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

02-18-2008, 06:43 PM	#6
ToughOmbre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,233	Waist gunner on the Fort. TO __________________ *“Let's get Enterprise* and Hornet turned into the wind."**

02-18-2008, 07:17 PM	#7
B-17engineer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,684	Nice....... __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe36UMRkRbk

02-18-2008, 07:18 PM	#8
Erich the old Sage Join Date: May 2004 Location: Platonic Sphere Posts: 10,774	none .....especially during a heavy flak barrage or under LW attack __________________ Rip it up !

02-19-2008, 12:05 AM	#9
orion549 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 35	Tail gunner on a B-17, or the top turret, not sure who would normally man that. I'd say Ball as well, but it seems too cramped for me, and I'm not really claustrophobic at all even...tho I'm a little guy, so I'd fit.

02-19-2008, 11:43 AM	#10
Njaco The Pop-Tart Whisperer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Jersey, United States Posts: 10,236	Radioman on a B-17. I think they controlled the top turret. Wanta good view all around. __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!" http://www.njcacoa.org/

02-19-2008, 11:53 AM	#11
ToughOmbre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,233	I think the engineer manned the top turret. The radioman had the single .50 that fired out of the hatch in the radio compartment. That gun was removed after a while since it's range of fire made it mostly ineffective. TO __________________ *“Let's get Enterprise* and Hornet turned into the wind."**

02-19-2008, 12:38 PM	#13
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,050	Either one - as long as it was over the Caribbean doing sub patrol duty. Pilot of course flying it with my Hawaiian shirt and my 50 mission cap! __________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

02-19-2008, 11:28 PM	#14
Njaco The Pop-Tart Whisperer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Jersey, United States Posts: 10,236	Charles I can see you popping off a few at a MiG through a porthole on the 17! __________________ "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's English, thank a soldier!" http://www.njcacoa.org/

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