old timers look here must be 50+ years only
05-07-2019, 05:32 AM
#6876
Dad served with the 7th AF 89th (Heavy) Bomber Group in the Pacific. They had their B-24s replaced with B-29s. He was in charge of the armor crew but would fly relief ball gunner as needed. It said being a B-29 Ballgunner was the most boring job he ever had. The Japanese pilots wouldn't fly under the plane because it was suicide.
05-07-2019, 09:08 AM
#6879
Thread Starter
The b-24 wasn't as pretty as the b-17 but it did a lot of butt kikkin, I read a story of a raid on the Ploesti oil fields that was almost a total disaster because several squadrons timing was off and caused them to meet from different directions over the oil field some as low as 100 feet while dropping bombs. I bet the pucker factor was in high gear. all in ugly all the 24 did one hell of a good job. some say it was a better bird than the b-17.
05-07-2019, 09:16 AM
#6880
I hear that too about being better. It carried more payload, that's what made it better, but had some flaws that were killers, such as fuel leaks and vapors in the bomb bays that Flak would ignite. The big difference is that the B-17 can be shot to hell and still bring the crew home where the 24 didn't. That is what makes the 17 more popular.
05-07-2019, 10:16 PM
#6882
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Measnes, La Creuse, France.
Posts: 2,133
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I heard somewherethat there were more B24 Liberators in the US Army 8th Airforce than there were B17s but I don't know whether it's true. If it is true, I find it curious that all of the films, Mississippi Belle, Twelve O'Clock High etc feature the B17!
The B24 was the preferred anti-submarine aircraft and there is an interesting story about a B24 which flew with 200 Squadron RAF Coastal Command. On 11th August 1943, out in the North Atlantic, this aeroplane, piloted by Lloyd Trigg, a New Zealander, attacked the German submarine U468 which was on the surface at the time. The Germans returned fire and the Liberator burst into flames but Trigg continued to press his attack depite taking further hits, including hits in the bomb bay once the bomb doors were open. His bombs fell on and around the U Boat which caused it to sink twenty minutes later but his aircraft crashed into the sea. There were no survivors. Seven of the submarine's crew survived and were picked up by a British ship. Oberleutnant Schamong commented on the pilot's bravery and Trigg was awarded a post-humous Victoria Cross, Great Britain's highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, the equivalent of the American Medal of Honor. These are not handied out like sweeties!
His is the only Victoria Cross ever awarded solely on the evidence of the enemy.
The B24 was the preferred anti-submarine aircraft and there is an interesting story about a B24 which flew with 200 Squadron RAF Coastal Command. On 11th August 1943, out in the North Atlantic, this aeroplane, piloted by Lloyd Trigg, a New Zealander, attacked the German submarine U468 which was on the surface at the time. The Germans returned fire and the Liberator burst into flames but Trigg continued to press his attack depite taking further hits, including hits in the bomb bay once the bomb doors were open. His bombs fell on and around the U Boat which caused it to sink twenty minutes later but his aircraft crashed into the sea. There were no survivors. Seven of the submarine's crew survived and were picked up by a British ship. Oberleutnant Schamong commented on the pilot's bravery and Trigg was awarded a post-humous Victoria Cross, Great Britain's highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, the equivalent of the American Medal of Honor. These are not handied out like sweeties!
His is the only Victoria Cross ever awarded solely on the evidence of the enemy.
Last edited by Telemaster Sales UK; 05-07-2019 at 10:19 PM.
05-08-2019, 03:53 PM
#6885
Banned
While the 8th did have the 24, due to their increased range over the 17 they were sent to areas that could benefit from that. Mainly the Pacific. But as an airplane the 17 "came together" better than the 24 did and so was the preferred bomber in areas it could be used.
12 O'Clock High is based on the war history of a real group. The 918th translates into the 306 Bomb Group. Brief History They were based in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England during the war. Google Map Link The 306th flew the B-17 so it's natural that 12 O'Clock High would also fly the B-17. The Bell, being a B-17 couldn't very well be portrayed by a 24. BTW, the original Memphis Bell has been fully restored and is at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
The 24 was used extensively for the Polesti Raids. Many of them came up from Africa, along the length of Italy and into Romainia. Simply because they had greater range than the 17. But the 17 captured the hearts of Americans.
My Father (101st Airborne) recounted seeing wave after wave of bombers flying overhead going for targets. For hours he said, Then quiet. And after a bit wave after wave going the other way back to England. A thousand plane raid must have been a sight.
12 O'Clock High is based on the war history of a real group. The 918th translates into the 306 Bomb Group. Brief History They were based in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England during the war. Google Map Link The 306th flew the B-17 so it's natural that 12 O'Clock High would also fly the B-17. The Bell, being a B-17 couldn't very well be portrayed by a 24. BTW, the original Memphis Bell has been fully restored and is at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
The 24 was used extensively for the Polesti Raids. Many of them came up from Africa, along the length of Italy and into Romainia. Simply because they had greater range than the 17. But the 17 captured the hearts of Americans.
My Father (101st Airborne) recounted seeing wave after wave of bombers flying overhead going for targets. For hours he said, Then quiet. And after a bit wave after wave going the other way back to England. A thousand plane raid must have been a sight.
05-10-2019, 01:21 PM
#6886
If any of you remember an older 3 channel plane by Sal Taibi called "Powerhouse" I have a scratch built one all boned up from plans. Its 84" span has been increased to 91.5" otherwise it's built to print by one of our club builders. It's not my style airplane so it's free to anyone that might be passing through the Clinton Arkansas area sometime this year.
Full size plans are included.
Full size plans are included.
Last edited by Glowgeek; 05-10-2019 at 03:43 PM.
05-10-2019, 03:39 PM
#6888
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_YF-12
Also the Belle is on a pedestal. They did a remarkable job restoring it. I have some pictures, but due to it being so dark in there, they did not come out well. Going back in August and will bring my tripod so I can do time delay photos, which come out really good if I can keep the camera steady long enough.
05-11-2019, 03:52 PM
#6889
My Feedback: (2)
My bad I didnt know the difference but to see the Valkree was worth the visit. I was headed to my one and only visit to Toledo Ohio for the weak signals show in the spring of 1997! That same year I moved to Houston Texas and I am still in Texas but now I am 120 miles NW of Dallas! what a difference in scenery!
05-12-2019, 07:59 AM
#6891
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Measnes, La Creuse, France.
Posts: 2,133
Received 146 Likes
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Gentlemen, having talked about building a lighter wing for my reserve Baron for long enough, I've finally done it.
I've used the Baron's wing rib which has the same chord as that of the classic British trainer, the Super 60. However, the Baron's wing rib is thinner than that of the Super 60 and instead of having seven spars including turbulators the Super 60 only has only three. Its leading upper leading edge is sheeted back to the upper spar. I chose to use balsa sheet on the underside of the wing as well as far as the lower front spar just producing a full D section.
I also reinforced the 1/4" sq (6mm sq) balsa spars with carbon fibre tow and used full depth plywood dihedral braces and 1/16" (1.5mm) webs between the spars as well.
This has produced a very rigid and lightweight wing for this year's Coupe in September.
The standard wing is shown below the new one.
Lightweight three-spar wing for my reserve Baron on top of its new fuselage, the nose of which has bee shortened by 2 cms to allow for the extra weight of a 52 four-stroke.
The original Baron wing as supplied in the kit has seven spars including two turbulators.
I've used the Baron's wing rib which has the same chord as that of the classic British trainer, the Super 60. However, the Baron's wing rib is thinner than that of the Super 60 and instead of having seven spars including turbulators the Super 60 only has only three. Its leading upper leading edge is sheeted back to the upper spar. I chose to use balsa sheet on the underside of the wing as well as far as the lower front spar just producing a full D section.
I also reinforced the 1/4" sq (6mm sq) balsa spars with carbon fibre tow and used full depth plywood dihedral braces and 1/16" (1.5mm) webs between the spars as well.
This has produced a very rigid and lightweight wing for this year's Coupe in September.
The standard wing is shown below the new one.
Lightweight three-spar wing for my reserve Baron on top of its new fuselage, the nose of which has bee shortened by 2 cms to allow for the extra weight of a 52 four-stroke.
The original Baron wing as supplied in the kit has seven spars including two turbulators.
05-13-2019, 04:52 AM
#6892
My son and his wife asked us to babysit our 6 year old grandson the weekend of May 31 so they can chaperon the CAP cadets working the Tinker AFB Air Show. This year "Doc" the recently restored B-29 from Wichita will be on display and flying. I think grandpa just might take him to see the show. Dayton is the best aviation museum I have ever visited. Seeing the B-36 blew me away!
05-13-2019, 05:14 AM
#6893
The SAC museum in Nebraska, has a B-36 as well and I believe it has the original wheels. The one that is about 8 feet tall. I was a bit disappointed in the Dayton one, they have the P-61 in such a dark spot and you can't see the tail of it. Very hard to get a decent picture of it unless I use a tripod and slow shutter setting without flash. Same with the Memphis Belle, it is hard to get a good picture of it with a normal camera. The phone takes a decent shot, but loses a lot of clarity.
05-13-2019, 07:38 AM
#6895
Thread Starter
That's to make you buy their pictures. I was at Chanute A. F. Base in the late fifties for tech. school a b-36 was on the parade grounds and I spent quite some time sitting in the cockpit day dreaming ..Impressive bird! but not as mind blowing as the B-52 in the hanger. there was several other planes on display also.
05-13-2019, 08:05 AM
#6896
My Feedback: (2)
back in the mid 1980s I was a student at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa Oklahoma. One morning I was in class when the walls started rumbling and the instructor told us to take a break and we ran outside to see That A B-52 had just took off from airfield and it was maybe 100 feet in the air! wow what I sight to see it had so much grace in the air at that attitude!
Michael Johnston
Michael Johnston
05-13-2019, 08:39 AM
#6897
What is really impressive is that the first B-52 to go into service was in 1955, and the last one produced was in 1962. Here we are 64 years later and they are STILL in service!
05-16-2019, 01:01 AM
#6900
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Measnes, La Creuse, France.
Posts: 2,133
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We are in the process of organising an "Inter-Clubs" or fly-in for Sunday 19th May. The event will feature a Mini-Coupe Des Barons for those who are up for it. I'll let you know how we get on, photographs as well.