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Always wondered why so many allied pilots delivered fully operational aircraft to the enemy, or (as in Philippines and Java) left them intact before retreating. The three (?) B-17s are a case in point.
 
Always wondered why so many allied pilots delivered fully operational aircraft to the enemy, or (as in Philippines and Java) left them intact before retreating. The three (?) B-17s are a case in point.
If you're referring to 42-5942 -- per the MACR, the pilot gave the order to bail out but one of the enlisted men likely didn't hear the order and went down with the plane. From the pictures of the plane, it was far from fully operational after "landing".
 
How a Norden Bombsight worked - Akhil Kadidal infographic B-17 cones of defensive armament fire - Akhil Kadidal infographic
B-17 Casualties.jpg

B=17 Fields of Fire.jpg
 
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Always wondered why so many allied pilots delivered fully operational aircraft to the enemy, or (as in Philippines and Java) left them intact before retreating. The three (?) B-17s are a case in point.
In both cases it was a panic retreat, especially at Clark Field. And in both cases Command underestimated the Japanese's ability to rebuild/repair abandoned aircraft. They were not fully operational.
 
While cataloging the items in a donation that came into the Museum a few years ago, I came across these two pictures. No additional information on this program. Note: This aircraft has the national insignia with the red stripe, so it does belong in this forum. The photos show the starboard and port sides of a USAF B-17G, 44- 85784, that has been modified with wing-tip gun turrets. The brief note on the back indicates that the starboard turret was to be manually operated and the brief note on the port view indicated the port turret was to be remote controlled. B-17G with Wing-Tip Gun Turrets
B-17G Manned Wing Tip Gun Turret.jpg
B-17G with Wing Tip Gun Turret+.jpg
 
Org. Photo: Aerial View 92nd Bomb Group B-17 Bomber (#41-9125; "PROWLER")!!! | eBay

42-9125 (97th BG, 342nd BS, "Prowler") flew on the first 8th AF heavy bomber mission to the Rouen/Sotteville marshalling yards on Aug 17, 1942. Aircraft was used to make courier flights to North Africa in support of Operation TORCH, transferred to 92nd BG Combat Crew Replacement Center at Alconbury 25-Aug-42 and used as a target


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