More aviation stuff..............

[Bob Wright]

This photo from 1938 shows early B-17s intercepting the ocean liner Rex far out at sea:



Following the bombing and sinking of naval ships by air power, advocated by Gen. Billy Mitchell, this was a feat, to locate a ship far out at sea by warplanes.

The navigator was 1st Lt. Curtis LeMay, the commander was Lt. Col. Robert Olds. Col. Olds, later Maj. Gen. Olds, was the father of Col. Robin Olds, triple fighter ace.

Bob Wright

 

[Merle1948]

Nice !!!

 

[WendyZXZ]

Nice picture and early B-17 which I have not seen all that many pictures of, thanks for sharing!

 

[CGDustDevil]

Great photo and history!

Thanks Bob!

Best regards, Pete

 

[Bull Barrel]

That was actually a YB-17, one of three preproduction prototypes sent on the mission to photograph the ship.

 

[Scout943]

Neat !

 

[Fox Mike]

The 'blisters' on the side threw me off till I did a search. Found a bunch of photos here: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0LEVxDTjj1YuecALuZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEybXVoN2kxBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjI3ODJfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=YB-17&fr=yfp-t

 

[Bob Wright]

That was actually a YB-17, one of three preproduction prototypes sent on the mission to photograph the ship.

Are you sure about that? those were from the 2nd Bomb Group, which at that time was flying the XB-15 in trials. Later they flew the only B-15 to South America to fly supplies to Peru following an earthquake there.

Bob Wright

(Oh, yeah. the "Y" meaning limited procurement, as opposed to "X" for experimental. I believe you're right.)

 

[Bob Wright]

The 'blisters' on the side threw me off till I did a search. Found a bunch of photos here: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0LEVxDTjj1YuecALuZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEybXVoN2kxBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjI3ODJfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=YB-17&fr=yfp-t

I'm not quite sure how those blisters worked. On the PBY the forward part of the "teardrop" remained in place as a windshield while the top opened up. A manually aimed .50 (or .30) caliber machine gun was fired. On the B-32 (?) and PB4Y the turret rotated vertically while the guns swung from side to side. I believe on the B-17 it was the former, but not sure. The old nose turret rotated vertically with the side swing gun.

Bob Wright

 

[Scout943]

Little info on the YB-17 http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/aircraft/Boeing-299.html

 

[kenv1950]

Don't want to change the PO's post.
My Dad was flight engineer on B-17's.
Thats him with the RayBans.... 1945 France.

 

[Fox Mike]

The 'blisters' on the side threw me off till I did a search. Found a bunch of photos here: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0LEVxDTjj1YuecALuZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEybXVoN2kxBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjI3ODJfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=YB-17&fr=yfp-t

I'm not quite sure how those blisters worked. On the PBY the forward part of the "teardrop" remained in place as a windshield while the top opened up. A manually aimed .50 (or .30) caliber machine gun was fired. On the B-32 (?) and PB4Y the turret rotated vertically while the guns swung from side to side. I believe on the B-17 it was the former, but not sure. The old nose turret rotated vertically with the side swing gun.

Bob Wright

If you go to the link I posted and scroll way down it shows an inside shot of the gun and operator in the blister.