Just read this letter from another fourm and I think you guys should be able to help:
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Yes, you did read that correctly.
Two days ago, I interviewed my neighbor who was the pilot of a B-17 in world war II. He also shared with me his exploits as a ferry pilot for lend-lease aircraft to Russia, a F-51 training commander for pilots headed to Korea, an F-100 pilot trained to drop nuclear ordinance, and the pilot of numerous ground-attack aircraft in Vietnam, including the AC-47. However, he also told me about one aircraft that was used in Vietnam, about which I had never heard any information: the B-17. Apparently, it was one of the first gunship modifications, with two side-firing miniguns on the left side of the aircraft. Many internet and book searches have not turned up any additional information about the use of B-17's in the vietnam war, so I was wondering if anyone had any information about it.
Looking forward to hearing it!
Steve
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Sorry about the delay in posting.
Anyway, I was replaying the recording of my interview with my neighbor, just to make sure I had heard him correctly. According to him, and I quote directly, "I was a combat squadron commander, but we used 'B-17 Spooky Birds'." He was very clear that the B-17's were the first type to be used in this role.
I'm planning on interviewing him again in the coming days, so I'll get more information about the B-17 gunship conversions.
http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/t ... cseen.html