B-17 v B-24

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Peter Clare, Apr 8, 2006.

  1. jhor9

    jhor9 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    B17 V B24. So i need to make a decision? Hmm, toughy, but going on what Jules has said, then if i had to choose then I'll go for the 17. Though i still say the Lanc was better;)
    Kitty

    Kitty
    How do you think the Lanc would do in daylight bombing or the B17 in night bombing? I wouldn't even try to guess.
     
  2. Kitty

    Kitty Very Senior Member

    Kitty
    How do you think the Lanc would do in daylight bombing or the B17 in night bombing? I wouldn't even try to guess.
    I wouldn't want to even try! But I'm english, i have a very soft spot for the Lanc over the 17, even though both were perfectly suited to their own theatres of operations. It's my heart talking, not my head.
    Whilst in Africa did you get to see any of the Commonwealth bombers up close to compare with the 17?
    Kitty
     
  3. jhor9

    jhor9 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Due to its high-aspect ratio, thin Davis wing, the B24 was much harder to fly in tight formation at high altitude - exactly the tactics employed by the 8th AF Bomber command as the best protection against enemy fighters. However, the B24 was a much more modern aircraft than the B-17. For instance, it featured a steerable nosewheel instead of a tailwheel - something of a novelty on aircraft at that time.

    Adam,
    I agree with you that the B24 was harder then the B17, to fly in tight formation because of the Davis wing.
    Re: the nose wheel---- the 24 was easier to land then the 17. The 24 flew into the ground, flaring just before touchdown. The 17 had to make a 3 point landing, stalling 2/3 ft above the ground. It was every pilots dream to land without the slightest bump.

    I recall an incident that happened to me. I happened to make a perfect landing one day, when I was 1/2 way down the runway a crew member in the eadio room called and asked when we were going to land, I was just about at the end of my landing roll, he didn't know that we were on the ground.
     
  4. jhor9

    jhor9 WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I would go with the B-17. I own a documentary from The History Channel about the ball turret, Ande Rooney who was a editor for the newspaper of the 8th Airforce is interviewed. He says that the B-24 would win any comparison when it comes to technical data but if you asked any airman who had flown both planes, they would choose the B-17 because of its superior handling and durability.

    Durability being key the B-17 was a far tougher aircraft than the B-24 and could take insane amounts of damage yet bring its crew home alive.

    In my opinion the Fortress was the best bomber of the war.

    Hawkeye,

    You hit the nail on the head.--- I would say that 99% of airmen in the war didn't look at the big picture, they were mainly interested in their chances of surviving the conflict.
     

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