This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Patty Scott Halpen-Family
to remember
Scott, Ralph Gordon (Scotty), MSgt.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
I was retired from the News Journal Company, Delaware's only newspaper. I was in their employ for 44 years, and retired as Plant Engineer.
I lived in Oscoda, MI, with my daughter and son-in-law. I spent my time doing oil paintings for family and friends, reading, and enjoying the good life.
I was Secretary/Newsletter Editor for the B.A.D. 2 Association for over 30 years, which was formed to perpetuate the memory of those who served at Base Air Depot 2 in Lancashire England, during WWII. BAD2 was a modification and repair depot, which worked on B-24s and P-51s. The site today is the home of British Aerospace, with whom our Association has a close rapport.
Other Comments:
I was a 62 year member of the American Legion (life member) and also a life member of the V.F.W. and also of the 8th Air Force Historical Association, in Savannah, GA.
I was a Senior Member of the "Friends of the Air Force Museum"
I was fortunate to make several trips back to my old base in England, for reunions with English families, and former Base personnel.
Other Comments:
I am survived by my daughter Patty, my three grandchildren Heather, Laura and Whit, my great grandsons Joshua and Jeffrey, and my cat, Sebastian. I was preceeded in death by my wife Virginia, my half brother Victor, and my infant son Ian Michael.
1943-1944, B-17 Flying Fortress
From Year 1943
To Year 1944
Personal Memories
Work on aircraft coldn't wait for good flying weather. Every plane worked on had to be test-flown. I recall being in a B-17 in dense fog while we waited for a Jeep to drive down the runway and report "all clear"..taking off in the fog and later landing in it in zero visibility.
Image
B-17 Flying Fortress Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications
Model Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Length 74.74 ft | 22.78 m Width 103.74 ft | 31.62 m Height 19.09 ft | 5.82 m Engine(s) 4 x Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 radial piston engines generating 1,200 hp each. Empty Weight 36,136 lbs | 16,391 kg MTOW 72,003 lbs | 32,660 kg Max Speed 287 mph | 462 km/h | 249 kts Max Range 2,001 miles | 3,220 km Ceiling 35,597 ft | 10,850 m | 6.7 miles Climb Rate 540.5 ft/min (164.7 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered dorsal turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered "belly" turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail gun position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left front "cheek" position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right front "cheek" position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left waist position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right waist position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in radio operator's midship position (removed on later models) 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered chin turret (later models)
Maximum internal bombload of 7,983 kg (17,600 lbs). Accommodations 10 Operators United Kingdom and the United States of America.
