The B-17 dropped more than just bombs for the US.

[USCGAV8R]

 

[Matt308]

Great pics.

 

[davparlr]

Very interesting. I didn't know that the USCG had B-17s.

 

[syscom3]

B29's also did this.

 

[Matt308]

I believe that the CIA also used B-17s extensively. For intelligence gathering and clandestine operations.

I wish that I had kept my book, "Blind Man's Bluff". I believe there might have been a couple of B-17 operations documented therein.

 

[evangilder]

Most of the heavies also dropped food and supplies over the European continent at the end of the war too.

Good reading about Operations Manna and Operation Chowhound here:
Welcome on the website about operation Manna / Chowhound

 

[twoeagles]

Was it in the John Wayne movie "The High and the Mighty", that there
is lovely footage of a coast guard B-17 dropping a life boat?

 

[R-2800]

The B-17 dropped all kinds of stuff, they even tried a cargo version but decided to use the B-24(C-87)(C-109)

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

not to be out done of course wouldn't mind seeing some shots of the B-29 doing it though!

 

[HealzDevo]

Is that third image a boat being dropped from a B-17? Interesting I always thought of it as just a bomber. Never realised it was that adaptable.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

The USCG used them for many years after WW2 - PB-1G