B-17F- Yes, an F

[RAMC181]

Ta Dave,

If it is Burtonwood, then it can only be at the original eastern end of the main runway to have the distant dispersal visible.

All the best,
PB

[390BG]

Interesting that this late model "F" has the staggered waist windows, while early block B-17G's did not have them. For Boeing (I think) staggered waist guns first appeared on Block -50 aircraft. Something to do with the armament testing at Eglin?

[tulsaboy]

The staggered waist guns were a direct consequence of the YB-40 program. That effort introduced the chin turret, staggered waist positions and a second dorsal turret. All but the second dorsal was incorporated into a few late F models and most of the G models. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be in the YB-40 with all of those guns going? Especially imagine how cramped it must have been with that second dorsal turret...

kevin

[gregv]

So with late F models being seemingly very close spec to the G, I wonder why they bothered with the new letter series; why not just keep rolling with the F but in higher block numbers? Or were there significant differences in other systems, such as electrics, hydraulics, fuel etc.?

Great shot of a late F.

greg v.

[RAMC181]

Just to clarify, this particular B-17F-115-BO was fitted with chin turret, cheek guns and staggered waist guns, effectively being the armament testbed for what became the B-17G.
The remainder of block 115 were standard B-17Fs, other than those which may have had bulged G-type cheek windows installed in-theatre.

All the best,
PB