Up date--3/3/09. My wife and I have had to quit square dancing due to our health, much to our regret. We still belong to our club and go the lessons and dances on occasion just to keep attached.
We enjoy our family very much. Our Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I only have one crew member left with which I am able to communicate.
Other Comments:
I was at Arizona State College (CTD) from January 1943 to April 1943. At this time the AAF said that they had enough of pilots, but needed gunners. A large number of my class was then sent to Las Vegas Nevada for basic gunnery training on B-17s.
From there, we we sent to Lincoln, Nebraska for crew assembly and then to Sioux City, Iowa for crew training on the B-17.
We ended up at Foggia, Italy in the 15th Air Force,99th BG. I was in the 348th Bomb Squadron and had 25 Missions when VE Day came.
1944-1945, B-17 Flying Fortress
From Year 1944
To Year 1945
Personal Memories
Not Specified
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.
