Need Help Please ASAP!

Blue Yonder · 06-21-2008, 07:05 PM

I just started building an Academy 1/72 scale B-17 C/D and noticed that there were four seats located in the cockpit. I think of myself as an airplane fanatic, and the B-17 was my all time favorite heavy bomber of World War Two, but I never remember reading or seeing a picture of a B-17 cockpit with four seats in it. Any help would be extremely appreciated. Pictures of any B-17 C's or D's would also be nice. Thanks.

ccheese · 06-21-2008, 07:19 PM

Blue Yonder: I flew in PB-1's in the Navy, back in the '50's. This is a Navy
version of a B-17. We did not have four seats in the cockpit. I don't recall
what model B-17 we had, because they had no weapons or turrets. The
radioman and the navigator sat behind a small bulkhead several feet behind
the pilot/co-pilot. Maybe someone on the forum knows something I don't.

Charles

Blue Yonder · 06-21-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccheese

Blue Yonder: I flew in PB-1's in the Navy, back in the '50's. This is a Navy
version of a B-17. We did not have four seats in the cockpit. I don't recall
what model B-17 we had, because they had no weapons or turrets. The
radioman and the navigator sat behind a small bulkhead several feet behind
the pilot/co-pilot. Maybe someone on the forum knows something I don't.

Charles

You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of your plane would you? Also, not to sound like a little child, but what was it like flying in a B-17?
-Pete

Njaco · 06-21-2008, 08:38 PM

Blue, you sure you're not missing that bulkhead that Charles is talking about? If you check through the Aviation Photos section or some of the museum threads I remember some interior pics of B-17s.

Blue Yonder · 06-21-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Njaco

Blue, you sure you're not missing that bulkhead that Charles is talking about? If you check through the Aviation Photos section or some of the museum threads I remember some interior pics of B-17s.

I looked at the instructions to double check and see whether it was the result of a missing part, but it says that the bulkhead goes behind the second set of seats. This is a C/D varient, and I have been extremely unsuccessful at finding any interior views of this variation. The kit was made overseas, along with the instructions, maybe they messed up the whole kit's cockpit design? It's really hard for me to figure out the inside, mainly because there are no B-17 C/D's around today. Only F's, G's, and E's (and the other variations)

Wurger · 06-22-2008, 07:03 AM

Hi BY,

I think Academy is right.I have found these pics in "In detail & scale" publication about B-17 Flying Fortress - part1.
I hope these will make it clear.

Wayne Little · 06-22-2008, 07:51 AM

Looks like 4 seats to me.... you've done it again Wurger..

Well done mate!

Wurger · 06-22-2008, 10:03 AM

Blue Yonder · 06-22-2008, 02:53 PM

Thanks Wurger. I can't tell you how much this has helped. Where did you find these images?

Wurger · 06-22-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Yonder

Thanks Wurger. I can't tell you how much this has helped. Where did you find these images?

You are welcome.

I have written it above in my post.The book "In detail & scale" serie about B-17.

Blue Yonder · 06-22-2008, 06:47 PM

Oh, noticed it after I thanked you. Sorry. Have you ever seen any color images of an early B-17 C? I read somewhere that there was only a single C variant and it was not airworthy, you wouldn't know anything about that would you?

Wurger · 06-23-2008, 03:20 PM

Hi again.
Unfortunately, no I haven't.But as memory serves all the US early Flying Fortress were of bare metal colour mostly.There were rudders and fins painted only.TLater it is possible these were paited with Olive Drab on upper surfaces and Natural Grey on undersides.These early B-17s that served in RAF were metal finished initially.But later these were painted with RAF camo scheme.I have found some examples of these.I hope these will help you a bit.

As far as being of the C verion airworthy is concerned.To be honest bombers aren't my favourite aircraft but I've read somewhere that the B-17C was equipped with more machine guns, self-sealing fuel tanks, more armor plating, up-rated engines, etc.. than B-17B.Even though all these increased the weight of the "C" model to 49,650 pounds, the installation of the 1,200 Wright Cyclones made the B-17C capable of 320 MPH, the fastest of all B-17 variants. So I think that the variant was a good bomber rather.Of course it was one of whole serie of B-17 and as a one of the first variants had like all aircraft some "child's" problems.

Njaco · 06-23-2008, 08:42 PM

Blue, if you get the chance, watch the movie "Air Force". It features a B-17B or C named 'Mary Ann' that has several interior shots that might help.

Air Force (1943)

I know it sounds crazy but it might help.

Blue Yonder · 06-23-2008, 09:00 PM

Thank you very much to both of you. Consequently, I heard some more information on the only early B-17 that survived the scrapyards after the war, it is called the Swoose and is located in Maryland. Another member actually gave me the link, you can find it under my thread that I started. I really appreciate your help. It's funny you should mention that movie, Njaco, I used to love watching that movie an awful lot. Even though it was more of a propaganda film that showed aircraft in use before they were even produced. I was actually thinking of painting the kit olive drab and finding some way to paint "Mary Ann" on the side fuselage. In fact I just recorded it again, the copy my dad had wore out from over use.

A4K · 07-01-2008, 08:26 AM

Wojtek, you are a legend, my friend! Great photos and info!