[303rd-Talk] B-17 gross weight

[Bob Van Pelt]

Maximum Gross Weight
B-17E - 54,000 pounds
B-17F - 65,500 pounds
B-17G - 70,000 pounds

This according to Roger Freeman's Mighty Eighth War Manual, but on many, many occasions, more weight was added, especially on long range missions requiring max fuel load and more ammunition.  From what I have read, these ships struggled mightly to get into the air on takeoff.  If an engine was lost on takeoff, the ship was doomed. 

Any of you 303rd fellas care to tell us about your most hair raising takeoff?

Is "I'll Be Around," a B-17G painted out in 390th markings, still in the hangar of the 390th Bomb Group Museum at Pima?  Beautiful bird!!  I had my picture taken in the cockpit a few years ago.
Bob Van Pelt


--- On Sat, 1/17/09, Rose & Herb Shanker <shank1 at gis.net> wrote:

> From: Rose & Herb Shanker <shank1 at gis.net>
> Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] B-17 gross weight
> To: kvfly at yahoo.com, "303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum" <303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com>
> Date: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 9:27 AM
> Gene - 66,000 to 70,000 lb should do it if my memory is
> still working.  Herb Shanker
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "gene
> mccutchan" <kvfly at yahoo.com>
> To: "303rd" <303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com>
> Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:27 PM
> Subject: [303rd-Talk] B-17 gross weight
> 
> 
> > At the Pima Air Museum today while looking over the
> airplanes one person asked me what the gross weight of a
> B-17 was on take off.
> > 
> > Question, with 2700 gsls fuel and full bomb load, what
> was the gross weight.  Thanks.
> > 
> > 
> > 
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