Posted on 04/18/2023 4:44:17 PM PDT by Jotmo
Last Saturday (April 15), the Yankee Air Museum announced it was grounding its World War II-vintage Boeing B-17G “Yankee Lady” in anticipation of an FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD), expected within a few weeks. Online sources, including a detailed article at Aerovintage.com, anticipate the AD will likely ground all currently flying B-17s due to “wing spar issues” cited by the Yankee Air Museum. The Michigan-based museum posted on its Facebook page: “Hello, The Yankee Air Museum decided to proactively cease flight operations of the B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Yankee Lady.’ Recent inspections of other B-17s have discovered wing spar issues. As a result, we expect a mandatory Airworthiness Directive to be issued by the FAA in the next few weeks regarding the matter. Out of an abundance of caution, we are temporarily ceasing our B-17 flight operations and awaiting direction from the FAA regarding necessary inspections and repairs that will be required. It is expected that the B-17 will not fly during the 2023 flying season. Please note that this only affects the B-17.” The announcement added that those who had scheduled “Air Adventure” rides on “Yankee Lady” would receive refunds and assured that its B-25, C-47, and Bell UH1 “Huey” helicopter will continue to fly with passengers. A 25-minute ride on the B-17 is priced at $525 ($425 for museum members) according to the museum’s website. “Yankee Lady” is one of the few B-17s currently operating in the U.S. Others include the Commemorative Air Force’s “Sentimental Journey” and the Erickson Aircraft Collection’s “Olde Pub.” According to Wikipedia and other sources, there are currently nine airworthy B-17s worldwide out of 12,731 manufactured by Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed between 1936 and the end of World War II in 1945. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” has remained grounded since April
(Excerpt) Read more at avweb.com ...
Well we still have the newer B-52’s flying so we still have offensive capability
According to photos I have the A-36’s that were operating in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy had the four 50’s in the wings like the 51’s but they also mounted an additional 50 on either side of the cowl just aft of the prop. The A36 was a lot like the B model 51 with the “birdcage” canopy.
The big performance difference was that the A36 had an Allison V1710 with no turbo as did the early 51’s. The 51 really came into its own with the Rolls Royce turbocharged Merlin. Both were quite formidable at lower altitudes but the Merlin equipped versions had much better high altitude performance.
My bad. It was called “Fuddy Duddy”.
Pretty dramatic:
RIP to the brave crew.
Ha I have almost the exactly same video, although not of the same good quality you have here.
The pilot stood the plane up on one wing tip in a tight turn directly over Moffett Field while I was standing with my head out the top. Fantastic.
That’s exactly what my Dad said: The B-24 was a better airplane, and a better bomber; but the B-17 was easier to fly.
“Let me guess. He preferred the B 17. My uncle was navigator on a B 24.”
Actually, he preferred the B-24, as he said it was a better aircraft. The Davis wing allowed for greater speed, a heavier bombload, and more maneuverability; but that did require greater skill flying it. I guess my Dad had that skill, because he liked to fly the B-24. He liked the B-17, but preferred the B-24.
I went back to the field the next day just to watch the B17 for a while.
There were another round of flights and just before the first people started to board, cancelled for the day. Some pump failed.
It seemed to have sat for a week before they got the plane fixed.
“B-17s were phased out of the bombing business immediately after the victory in 1945. They did some Air Sea rescue and Transport...They were only used as a bomber until 1946 except a few oddballs here and there like in Israel etc.” [DesertRhino, post 40]
While it’s true that B-17s were removed from the primary mission at the end of the war, they remained in active inventory for many years. As you noted.
Same difference to the maintainers, supply folks and administrative functionaries. Except for weapons and munitions.
Some did duty into the late 1960s as “water bombers” for wildland firefighting. As USFS assets, or provided by private contractors? Couldn’t say.
“According to photos I have the A-36’s that were operating in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy had the four 50’s in the wings like the 51’s but they also mounted an additional 50 on either side of the cowl just aft of the prop...” [FrozenAssets, post 43]
I stand corrected. Focused too tightly on wing guns.
I remember reading that the Germans thought the B-24 were easier to shoot down.
“I remember reading that the Germans thought the B-24 were easier to shoot down.”
Flak was its biggest worry.
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