If I anyone was lucky enough to takeoff in the 3 engine plane, which is doubtful because of the weight distribution. Once in the air I don’t know if the plane would be able to be trimmed enough, even if the power would be balanced on each side. I seriously doubt if the plane would get off the ground safely,
On my best day I wouldn’t volunteer to fly that aircraft.

Trumper
I have several wartime pics on the B17 thread, that Andy-in-bed put on that thread. You are welcome to put them on this thread

Hi Moggy & Trumper,
I just saw your posts. Last school year another man ( he was a waist gunner and was shot down and spent time as a POW)and myself spoke in 11 high schools in our county. The title of our presentation was THE AIR WAR IN EUROPE, we gave them some statistics, told a few stories followed by questions and answers. It went over quite well, the mentors enjoyed it more then the students.

Statistics– 8th and 15th Air Force–B17 & B24 heavies–94,000 KIA, missing, POWs, wounded
15th A.F.—less then 1 1/2 years, of 4951 heavies 2380 were shot down
B17—12,731 were built 4,750 with 10 man crews were lost
All types of U.S aircraft in Europe—-18,369 were lost
More heavies were lost to flak then to enemy fighters
Temperatures at 25,000 feet was -50 to -60F
15th 8th
Total air crews 19,176 21,000
% killed 14.09 8.4

In 1942-43 survival rate made by 8th AF was 35% for unescorted missions
1942-43 8th AF flew a tour of 25 missions for unescorted missions
12-15th AF flew a tour of 50 missions for unescorted missions
Note— Once P51 Mustangs came to the theatres the loss to enemy fighters dropped dramatically

Canadair;
There is a club here in S.Florida called “Condors”, they fly radio controlled planes, war birds and others, one man even flys a helicopter, and I’ve even seen a jet fly. I went to see them fly primarily because of a B17. It’s 1/9th scale. it has retractable landing gear, it can have engines leave a smoke trail and other goodies. The owner told me that it cost $10,000 to build, and it took him 3 years to complete. This past July it was donated to the Smithsonian Museum to be displayed. He said that his next project is to build a B24.