Kostucha Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 (edited) Folks, This pinned thread here is intended for anyone who has any helpful information on B-17's (ranging from the 299 to all other variants), that can be of use. If you've got a question, by all means post it up here, we can try to get the answer for you too. With reference to B-17 model products and info, I ask that you keep that within your own build thread. Cheers! Mark. Edited December 28, 2010 by Kostucha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 (edited) I'll start, what the heck: There are NO screens in the intakes of the B-17. Yes, I know the B-17 currently flying in the Memphis markings has them. Now the oil coolers (between the engine nacelles) are a different story! :unsure: And those two tubes are for the battery vents. This is on the right side between the fuselage and the #3 engine. There is only one battery on the left side. Edited December 28, 2010 by 100th BG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 (edited) Here is the oil cooler. It has a couple of screens in front of it. They are slightly staggred and each covers a little over half of the opening. This was so that if ice were to build up on them, there would still be airflow to the cooler. Sorry it is kind of dark. The horizontal mesh is the ice screen. Edited December 28, 2010 by 100th BG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 (edited) Karl, Thanks for starting us out! If one were to take a flashlight and shine it down in there (in the air intakes from your first picture), what would be found or seen? Cheers! Mark. Edited December 28, 2010 by Kostucha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Karl,Thanks for starting us out! If one were to take a flashlight and shine it down in there (in the air intakes from your first picture), what would be found or seen? Cheers! Mark. The (unpainted) ducting runs back a ways and then turns. How far back depends on the engine: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 Here are a few quick links, threads that within them had a lot of great information: LMM research page with a lot of great info on what happens in the hangars. The First GB Thread where near the end there was some great information as well Phils hints on searching for B-17 images as well as a bit of info on the noses of B-17's Thread on B-17 Stencils Quick blurb on the Chin Turrets and colour Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Here is a good one for battle damaged B-17 units http://www.daveswarbirds.com/b-17/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Another forum, loaded with stories, and more, plenty of time to be wasted here Seems to populated by WWII vets as well, good for asking those pesky questions http://forum.armyairforces.com/Heavy-Very-...mbers-f155.aspx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Mark, weren't you asking about what was under the cockpit floor? Here is the view aft under the top turret: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 (edited) wow this is great! thanks gang. I dont have much to add as most of my research is on my PC, not the web. http://www.luchtoorlog.be/b17.htm This site is great, the thread is long and loads slowly but some great images! http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/...=26&t=29083 Edited December 29, 2010 by Shawn M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 Mark, weren't you asking about what was under the cockpit floor? Here is the view aft under the top turret: I was indeed asking. I'm a little confused on the placement though - I was under the impression that the floor was flat under the top turret, and aft of that it'd be the bomb-bay. I am so confused right now... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
majortomski Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 A good friend of mine runs this site: http://www.aerovintage.com/b17bits.htm Author of several B-17 books. He likes to document the history of the remaining eleven flying aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 A quick shot from the training fields where maintainers were learning how to do engine swaps of the Wright-Cyclone R-1820's... or so I thought... I started looking closer and saw that she's still got her 50's, as well as what's in the back ground... looks more and more like a full our swap of 4 of the radials on an active war time bomber. If anyone's got any more info on this one it'd be greatly appreciated. I'm putting this picture up mainly to show the 6 engines, and the 4 exposed firewalls: Cheers, Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 (edited) Would anyone be able to post up a good shot or information on what is found at the joint between the wings and the fuselage? Specifically, what is on the aft portion if you were to remove the wings. Thanks in advance, Mark. Edited December 29, 2010 by Kostucha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 mark, hit that wix link I posted (2nd one) its got what you need and then some i think Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 Yup! Thanks Shawn! Holy Crow there's a lot of stuff there! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 yeah its a treasure trove! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 So I remembered years ago I picked up this obscure DVD on ebay entitled "How to Fly The B-17". I've never actually watched it but it's supposed to be like an old army training video. I guess I'll throw it in now and see what it's about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 So I remembered years ago I picked up this obscure DVD on ebay entitled "How to Fly The B-17". I've never actually watched it but it's supposed to be like an old army training video. I guess I'll throw it in now and see what it's about. What!? I watch stuff like that as soon as it hits my house! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Those flight check series are really interesting I also have the one for fighters Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Norden bomb sight http://www.twinbeech.com/norden_bombsight.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mungo1974 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Ok Fortress freaks a quick question.... Was there certain production blocks at Boeing,Douglas & Vega when the vents were added to the upper wing tips to vent the fumes from the toyko tanks... Atleast i presume thats why they were added. The two B-17G's on my shortlist were -5-VE & -10-VE respectively so i want to know should these have the vented wingtips or not?. Cheers Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I remember asking about this a good while ago and a few people told there was no such thing, lol. I dont know what production blocks had them, I would try to see if the one you want to model has them or not. Here's pic for refference nother one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Don't forget, the wing vents are air VENTS; so no exhaust dirt coming out of them, just oil/dirt staining between them streaking back from the nacelles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 (edited) The vents circled in red were for the hot air heating system. This system did not appear until the B-17G-80-BO (Boeing built), -50-VE (Lockheed Vega), and -50-DL (Douglas). It seems to me that one of the aftermarket sets provides these, but I just thought I would give you a heads up to not use them indiscriminately. Thank you to Stephen for permission to use his photo! And if you are going to build a late airplane with that system, there is a mod to the inboard exhausts you would need to do. I still need to try and find out when the wing tip vents appeared (as in the posts from B-17 Guy and Mungo 1974), but they were also done as a mod as time and manpower allowed. So, to date, I can't come up with any hard and fast answers. Sorry about that! :unsure: Edited January 1, 2011 by 100th BG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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