Recent content by Big Jake

Some T-6s had the whole rear fuselage made of wood.

Why talk about Wellingtons, B-17s or Mosquitos? You are comparing prunes to plums to oranges... By early 1944, the ultimate High Altitude bomber of WW2 was already in operation - the B-29. Everything before it were never "high altitude" bombers - they were bombers that were called upon to...

Looking for information about Lt. Col. Mark T. Rifkin. He was a B-24 pilot, a member of 31st SQ., 72 BG, as well as the 5th BG (XIII Bomber Group) in the 13th AF. He survived the war.

Speaking of B-17E - I saw that B-17E 41-2395 was structurally tested to destruction in Wright Field in Oct '41. Does anyone have the test report? Jake

I still don't think it's R1820: 1. The front case in the R1820 is rounded and does not have the angular shape as seen in the picture. 2. The R1820 does not have the studs protruding from the front case either. 3. The R1820 has the push rods lifters located in the front of the front case...

The case does not look like a R1820 one nor are the fins on the cylinders. I'd guess it is a British or German engine. See if you can remove a bolt and check the thread - mm or inch.

I know that recycling is the thing to do nowadays...

In all B-17s, the bomb bay is the section of the fuselage stretching from aft of the cockpit rear bulkhead (Sta. 4) to the radio room's forward bulkhead (Sta. 5) There is enough room there for cots or hammocks (some seats in a pinch) even with the bomb carrying mechanisms in place. However, the...

There are two issues here: 1. Aerodynamic drag and its influence on the airplane's overall performance; and 2. Pilot's visibility. As for 1.: Canopy drag is only one of many drag related factors affecting the aircraft performance. In WW2 aircraft, wing profiles and configuration and engine...

The issue has been resolved and B-17 are back in operation. And they'll continue for as long as possible. And my colleagues and I will work hard to see to it - I am one of those fortunate people who maintain and fly one.

Amazing - 1000 hrs in 6 months means flying 5.5 hours every day!

One of the best aviation in general and transport pilot's memoirs in particular, read "Flying the Hump to China - The Early Days" by James Paul Segel.

Many years ago I read "The Big Show" by Pierre Clostermann who was a Typhoon pilot operating from forward bases in France during the fall and winter of 1944. As I recall he loved the airplane however what I remember most is his telling how during the bitter cold nights, mechanics sat in the...

Intercooler is installed only when there is either an external supercharger or a turbocharger. There was no R1340 installation where either was used. So the answer is no.

Wildcat does not have powered folding wing. You just swing it back and forth by hand (I did it numerous times).