Picture of the day.

[Dana Bell]

View attachment 610889


Big Stink, The Great Artiste, and Enola Gay shortly before leaving for Hiroshima, August 1945. No photo credit available.

Great shot, but it was taken after the atomic bomb missions. The depot spearhead tail markings weren't applied until after the bombs were "delivered."

Cheers,



Dana

 

[syscom3]

A B-17 of the 486th BG is disintegrating after a direct flak hit in a fuel cell. Merseburg November1944.
Ser no 43-37883
Delivered Cheyenne 1/6/44; Hunter 10/6/44; Dow Fd 28/6/44; Assigned 833BS/486BG [4N-C] Sudbury 2/7/44; transferred 834BS [2S-T]; 27m Missing in Action Merseburg 2/11/44 with Dave Paris, Co-pilot: Gene Schmidt, Navigator: Bill Beeson, Bombardier: Walt Rousky, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John McGill, Radio Operator: Nick Puglia, Ball turret gunner: John Burch, Waist gunner: Calvin Herrick, Tail gunner: Warren Rudiger (9 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Merseburg, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 10168. BLUE STREAK.

 

[michaelmaltby]

... no words.

 

[michaelmaltby]

World War Photos

 

[nuuumannn]

Lanz Traktor Bogward Funkwagen Schlepper 16 Panzer 1944 Baranow Stopnica Polen | eBay

"Despite its obvious rough terrain capability, the first incarnation of the Pzkw VI Tiger I was not popular in service."

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Great shot, but it was taken after the atomic bomb missions. The depot spearhead tail markings weren't applied until after the bombs were "delivered."

Cheers,



Dana

Thank you for the correction Dana.

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Pz II Ausf C of 4th Panzer Division, destroyed by Polish troops at Grójecka St. in Warsaw, Sept 1939. No photo credit available.

 

[Snautzer01]

Photograph 1944 WW2 China CBI Kunming USO Tour Actress 907th Engineers HQ Photo | eBay

 

[Snautzer01]

1942 WW2 article KIDS RIDE WAR SCOOTERS ON THE PLAYGROUND PT Boats Tanks..013121 | eBay

 

[SaparotRob]

1942 WW2 article KIDS RIDE WAR SCOOTERS ON THE PLAYGROUND PT Boats Tanks..013121 | eBay

View attachment 611030

I want one! The PT boat, please.

 

[Wurger]

 

[syscom3]

A 383rd Bomb Group B-17G releasing its bombs over Vienna on February 7 1945

 

[Wurger]

 

[Hardlydank]

IJN Haguro with a Nakajima E8N in foreground

 

[michaelmaltby]

WORLD WAR PHOTOS

 

[Wurger]

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Once a standard B-17E, The Dreamboat received extensive modifications to its defensive armament under the supervision of Maj. Robert J. Reed. The nose and tail turrets were replaced with units from the B-24, the bombardier's station extensively modified, and both waist gun positions removed in exchange for a powered twin .50cal position in the old radio room.
As a result of the modifications, the aircraft's CG moved forward slightly, correcting an issue with the standard B-17E where the CG was aft of the center of lift; crew was reduced from 10 to 8 with the elimination of the navigator and a gunner; the bomb-bay doors were streamlined; the bombardier was moved into a gondola similar to the original Boeing Model 299; the oxygen system was strengthened with a redundant supply; and the fields of fire on the defensive armament, especially the nose and tail, were greatly improved. While test crews responded positively to the changes, they were too great to be performed at the depot level and were not approved for service as it would slow production too much.
Source: usaac-official

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

A Coast Guard gunner poses in the nose turret of a PH-3, likely 1942. No photo credit available.

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

A-20G Havoc No photo credit available.

 

[Capt. Vick]

View attachment 611108View attachment 611109View attachment 611110View attachment 611111View attachment 611112View attachment 611113


Once a standard B-17E, The Dreamboat received extensive modifications to its defensive armament under the supervision of Maj. Robert J. Reed. The nose and tail turrets were replaced with units from the B-24, the bombardier's station extensively modified, and both waist gun positions removed in exchange for a powered twin .50cal position in the old radio room.
As a result of the modifications, the aircraft's CG moved forward slightly, correcting an issue with the standard B-17E where the CG was aft of the center of lift; crew was reduced from 10 to 8 with the elimination of the navigator and a gunner; the bomb-bay doors were streamlined; the bombardier was moved into a gondola similar to the original Boeing Model 299; the oxygen system was strengthened with a redundant supply; and the fields of fire on the defensive armament, especially the nose and tail, were greatly improved. While test crews responded positively to the changes, they were too great to be performed at the depot level and were not approved for service as it would slow production too much.
Source: usaac-official

Despite what is stated, I believe "powered twin .50cal position in the old radio room." is in error. To my eyes, these pictures and others seem to indicate a single .50 cal mounted externally, with a remote sighting bubble just forward of it. I have been trying to get a detailed picture of this rather unique, one-off, defensive armament for some time now with only negative results. I still find it odd that arguably the most unique modification to the Fortress has gone so undocumented.