JD and the B-17

[Jerry Dunlap]

I suppose this should be in "Off Topic," but I was really thrilled to see a full size B-17 flying over my neighborhood this past weekend. The B-17 was flying out of the Olympia airport as part of a fund raiser to support the foundation maintaining this rare World War II bomber. It was nicknamed the "Aluminum Cloud." I was surprised that the four engines didn't make more noise as it passed over at probably 2,500 feet.

JD

 

[Robert Pickard]

My Dad flew those in WW11 many missions over Germany that is one awesome plane

 

[P THOMAS]

That B17 visited here too I found this picture of it

Its name is Aluminum Overcast

 

[Hydro Junkie]

JD, what you have to remember is that almost all the noise you did hear was from the props, not the engines. Since the plane was flying low, unarmed and fairly slow, the plane was much quieter than it would have been had it been loaded with bombs, ammunition for the 13 machine guns and the normal crew of 10-12 men flying at the normal operating height of 20,000+ feet

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

b17_aluminum_overcast.jpg

That B17 visited here too I found this picture of it

Its name is Aluminum Overcast

Well, a "Cloud" is sorta like "Overcast."

JD

 

[Mark Bullard]

Best looking bomber there was in WW II

 

[Wally Marsh]

Since both my parents were involved in WWII I always take an interest in this. Several years ago the restored Memphis Belle came to Des Moines as part of a WWII display, it was so inspiring to walk through it and contemplate. A little personal trivia, my mom worked at Boeing in Wichita as a mathematician for the senior engineer developing the B-29, which was instrumental for ending that war. Years ago she gave me a book written at the time describing its development, including autographs of the engineer and head test pilot.

My dad served in the Army-Airforce getting supplies into the Chinese-Burma campaign, including support for Merrill's Marauders. ALWAYS thankful to all our veterans for serving!

Wallster

 

[Steve Anderson]

I was surprised that the four engines didn't make more noise as it passed over at probably 2,500 feet.

JD

The R-1820 engines used in the B-17 are turbocharged. The louder bombers are supercharged.

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

My Uncle Mimi was in the Army Aircorps and stationed in England during the WWII. He repaired B-17s that had been shot up and managed to return to England. After the war ended, he would fly on missions over Germany that dropped supplies to German citizens in bombed out cities. It seems like he flew in the military version of the DC-3 for those flights.

JD

 

[Al Hobbs]

Several years ago I took a ride in a restored B-17. The ride lasted about 20 minutes from engine start up to shut down. We circled Great Falls, MT at only a few thousand feet. I can tell you that inside the B-17 it is very loud. The crew members that flew these planes in WWII earned our respect.

Al Hobbs

 

[Robert Pickard]

Jerry do you know where in England they were stationed my Dad was in Eye England with the bombers

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

Jerry do you know where in England they were stationed my Dad was in Eye England with the bombers

I will check with my cousin. Just so happens we are meeting her for dinner this evening.

JD

 

[john v]

my favorate bird of ww2 was the corsair, they built them in Stratford ct, the next town over from where I grew up. truly a beautifull plane!

 

[Jerry Dunlap]

Jerry do you know where in England they were stationed my Dad was in Eye England with the bombers

I will check with my cousin. Just so happens we are meeting her for dinner this evening.

JD

My uncle was based in Knettleshaw, which is north of London some 90 miles. He was with the 388th Bomb group.

JD

 

[Robert Pickard]

OK my Dad was with the 490th