Hi
I am thinking about making a model of a Flying Fortress which crashed on the Cave Hill in Belfast on June 1 1944. I live not too far from the crash site and would like to make it in memory of the crew.
The B-17 was serial number 42-97862 and was a block 35-VE G model. It was intended to be assigned to the 401BG. It was on the final leg of a ferry flight when it crashed, and was the inspiration for the film ‘Closing The Ring’.
I have a few questions about some details of the plane before attempting the model.
– Would the plane have been carrying armaments if it was on a ferry flight from the U.S? A photo of the crash scene seems to show the right waist position with no machine gun.
-Would the waist guns be staggered?
– Would the plane have a Cheyenne turret? I thing this particular block had them but the photo is unclear.
-Would squadron codes have been applied once it arrived at it’s intended home base? The only markings I can see are the serial on the tail, and the ‘star and bar’ on the fuselage.
Thanks in advance.
By: Skipper - 4th February 2009 at 14:02
This B-17G had staggered cheek guns,No Cheyenne tail turret these were fitted from 55-VE onwards. It would have only carried national insignia,squadron codes would have been applied at it’s operational base. Staggered waist position. Aircraft in silver finish.
I don’t recall B-17s being fitted with staggered K-5 waist-guns. Think these K-5’s were always “unstaggered”. Not 100% sure without my references in front of me.
Also, it is quite possibly this ship would have had a Cheyenne tail turret fitted in Cheyenne, Wyoming en-route to the UK after leaving the factory. I say this, as I know that B-17G 4-297286 (Boeing Block 45) left the factory with no waist guns, a “stinger” tail turret and no cheek guns. She arrived in the UK with a Cheyenne turret, staggered cheek guns and “unstaggered” K-5 waist guns after two stops, one in Wyoming and another at a modification centre whose name and location escape me for now.
I would propose that this same set-up would apply to the one referred to here given the close proximity to the production numbers. However, as “my” B17 was delivered in Jan/Feb compared to this one in June in might be that the waist positions ARE staggered. As I say though, I don’t ever recall seeing the K-5s being staagered.
Regards,
Skipper
By: Onthecrowdline - 4th February 2009 at 09:23
This B-17G had cheek guns,No Cheyenne tail turret these were fitted fron 55-VE onwards. It would have only carried national insignia,squadron codes would have been applied at it’s opertaional base. Staggered waist position. Aircraft in silver finish.
Thanks T-21. I was coming to these conclusions as well. Though I think the waist guns maybe unstaggered. From the photo it seems to show the waist gun window close to the crew door as in an unstaggered position. My book ‘B-17 In Action’ says staggered waist positions were introduced on -50-VE.
By: T-21 - 4th February 2009 at 09:18
This B-17G had staggered cheek guns,No Cheyenne tail turret these were fitted from 55-VE onwards. It would have only carried national insignia,squadron codes would have been applied at it’s operational base. Staggered waist position. Aircraft in silver finish.
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February 4, 2009 at 7:41 am