michaelmaltby
Colonel
WORLD WAR PHOTOS
m36_35th_infantry_division_654th_td_bn_in_oberbrauch_germany_1945-jpg.611222
m36_35th_infantry_division_654th_td_bn_in_oberbrauch_germany_1945-jpg.611222
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1942 WW2 article KIDS RIDE WAR SCOOTERS ON THE PLAYGROUND PT Boats Tanks..013121 | eBay
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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
Douglas/Long Beach B-17G-45-DL 44-6149 384th BG, 547th BS, *Hot After It*) MIA Oct 11, 1944 on mission to Wesseling, Germany. This aircraft was credited with 40 combat missions with the 384thDelivered Tulsa 14/5/44; Kearney 26/5/44; Dow Fd 1/6/44; Assigned 547BS/384BG [SO-U] Grafton Underwood 12/6/44; Missing in Action Koblenz 11/10/44 4 Killed in Action; 5 Prisoner of War; flak, crashed Mayen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 9478. HOT AFTER IT.View attachment 611414
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
A better copy of the original photo as shown in the above post #18,992:Barely visible between the B-24 is this B-17 with B-24 nose and tail turrets, s/n 41-9112. Originally arrived with 97th BG: