My experience in 99th Bomb Group B17 WW2

[syscom_3]

Hi Jhor, good to see you again.

jhor, what was your opinion on the quality of the B17's you flew? Were they sent from the factory in good shape, or did your ground crews have to fix them up before combat?

[The Aviator]

Marvelous to share this forum with you Jhor. I like everyone else here, will be very keen to hear of your real life's experiences.
It makes us dreamers feel kinda humble.

Perhaps I might also ask if you are familiar with this particular B-17 that is in flying condition today? Serial number 124485.

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by syscom_3

Hi Jhor, good to see you again.

jhor, what was your opinion on the quality of the B17's you flew? Were they sent from the factory in good shape, or did your ground crews have to fix them up before combat?

When I and my crew were ready to ship out, I got a factory new B!7 in Salina KS. After a week or 10 days after checking out all the instruments and putting the plane through it's paces we flew the plane to Rabat Morocco,we were assigned to the 99th B.G. about 2 weeks later.
.I flew 8-9 different planes during my tour. the ground crews were fantastic in replacing parts and repairing batttle damaged planes.

[von Poop]

Have you any pictures of your time that we could see Jules?

Cheers,
Adam.

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by The Aviator

Marvelous to share this forum with you Jhor. I like everyone else here, will be very keen to hear of your real life's experiences.
It makes us dreamers feel kinda humble.

Perhaps I might also ask if you are familiar with this particular B-17 that is in flying condition today? Serial number 124485.

No, I'm not familiar with that particular plane. The Collings Foundation makes an annual circuit around the U.S. with a B17, B24 and B25. They will be in my area in mid Jan 08 sans the B24 which is going through heavy maintenance.

[debra]

I salute you, Sir. I look forward to any posts you make regarding your service. Thank you.

My father: Gunner Alfred Ernest New, 1150279, enlisted 28th May 1942, Q Battery, 56th Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery captured 20th April 1943 in Tunis.

Camp No. 98, Scilly 27th April 1943 to 20th June 1943.
Camp No 53, Macerta 23rd June 1943 to 20th August 1943
N.A.44.E. Konnern 1st September 1943 to 14th April 1945 working on the Railways.

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by Von Poop

Have you any pictures of your time that we could see Jules?

Cheers,
Adam.

I have a few pitures, but I don't know how to get them on this site

[P51fan]

JHor9,
thank you for your service during the war. I was wondering how many times your bomber came under fighter attack? Did you ever have P51 escorts and if so what was your thoughts on their abilities?

God Bless!
P51 Fan

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by P51fan

JHor9,
thank you for your service during the war. I was wondering how many times your bomber came under fighter attack? Did you ever have P51 escorts and if so what was your thoughts on their abilities?

God Bless!
P51 Fan

I don't know how many times I was under fighter attack, however my crew had credit for 6 kills. For me flak was worse then fighters, more bombers were lost to flak then to fighters.
I was flying the plane, keeping in tight formation so I really didn't see fighters. Flak was very scary, especially on the bomb run.The Germans would put up barrages and we just had to go through it, I had a plane directly in front of me explode, I went through the debris 1/2 second later, hearing parts hitting my fusilage.

P51s didn't get to my theatre until after I left. They were able to escort the bombers all the way to and from the target. Enemy fighters ceased to be a problem once the P51s came.

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but at 25000 feet the temp was -50 to -60F below zero, no heat, open waist windows.

[jhor9]

Originally Posted by von Poop

Have you any pictures of your time that we could see Jules?

Cheers,
Adam.

Adam,
If you go to armyairforces.com forum, and check canteen and heavy bombers, and scroll around,you will find an avatar of me standing alongside of a plane that I flew a few times.