B-17 Taxi Question

[Arty163]

Good Morning, Please excuse if this seems a silly question. I have been watching the 12 O'clock High TV series and noticed that while taxiing in some of the airplanes have engines 1 and 4 running while others taxi in with 2 and 3 running. Was there a procedure which described which engines should run for taxi or was it pilots preference? I have no idea why this has piqued my curiousity but I have been puzzling over this for a few days now.
Thank you,
Arty

[Second Air Force]

The "normal" procedure in the 8th Air Force (I'm not certain about the 15th or Pacific) was to taxi on only the outboards. It saved fuel and wear on the inboards. We were just talking about seeing a line of Fortresses on the taxiway heading to the active with only the outboards running and what a sight that was.

Scott

[RickH]

You have more leverage with the outboards, it's easier to make the S turns.

[the330thbg]

On the -29 I know either 2 or 3 drove the internal generator.., was that the same case on the -17.., did one of the engines drive the electrical power?

Last edited by the330thbg on Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Chris]

Sentimental Journey has generators on all four engines and Vacuum pumps on #2 and #3. Almost all current B-17s taxi in and out on all four since their taxi time is relatively short. During WWII, startup and taxi times were prolonged due to the high number of aircraft taking off and the length of the missions were critical to saving fuel. Normally by the time we do our runup checks, we are cleared to takeoff. On landing, the taxi is generally short,and by the time we finish all our after landing checks, we are close to the ramp. We also scavenge all four engines for sixty seconds just before shutdown. Hope this helps.

[mustangdriver]

Would using the outboards to taxi also help in safety for ground crews pulling chocks and stuff as well?

[Chris]

We pull chocks and set the parking brakes before we start any engines and wait until after all engines stop turning and confirmation from the pilots that ALL switches are off before they replace chocks. That's the best safety tip. Never a need to be around a turning prop.

[bdk]

Taxiing on outboard engines woud also kick up more dust on narrow taxiways, inhibiting visibility to the aircraft downwind.

[TonyM]

With the C-47, we don't pull or place chocks until everything stops moving.

I was taught to make it a habit not to pass through the arc of a non-moving propeller while working around the airplane on the ground if at all possible--that way you'll be less likely to do it when the propeller is turning.


TM

[retroaviation]

On the -29 I know either 2 or 3 drove the internal generator.., was that the same case on the -17.., did one of the engines drive the electrical power?

The B-29 is a completely different animal than the B-17, including the generator setup. I won't drag this too far off topic, but as mentioned in other threads, we would usually shut the outboards down (if we needed to) on taxi, to keep the props from hitting obstructions, such as taxiway lights, fence posts, etc.

Gary

[Matt Gunsch]

I know this will raise the hairs on some, but, I will set chocks about a foot in front of the mains and leave them there until the plane is ready to taxi. The expander tubes are a weak point and they can fail with no warning, if the chocks are pulled, engines running, and a tube lets go, you could lose control of the plane with no way to stop it. The chocks have a hunk of rope on them, lay the rops aft, approach from the trailing edge, and there is no danger from the props. If I am going on the flight, I pull the chocks, and climb on, then go to the cockpit to let them know the chocks are pulled and hatches closed.
if I am staying, and working the plane alone, on the pull chocks sign, I respond with a hold brakes sign, then walk around the wing to the trailing edge behind the wheel, move forward, place a hand on the wheel and I will not remove it until I have the rope and am moving aft and at the rear of the wheel. around the back of the plane and repeat on the other chock, after I have both chocks pulled, I go back the direction I came from until I am at the starting location, and hold the chocks for the crew to see, and give them a thumbs up to show they are clear to taxi.

[Second Air Force]

On the -29 I know either 2 or 3 drove the internal generator.., was that the same case on the -17.., did one of the engines drive the electrical power?

On the B-17G each engine has a generator. If the aircraft is equipped with a putt-putt you have a fifth.

Scott