[303rd-Talk] B-17 gross weight

[Rose & Herb Shanker]

July 18 '44  Heading for Peenemunde. Started take-0ff run and air speed 
indicator did not budge when we got up to what I estimated to be 70 mph. I 
called "no airspeed indicating" twice and our pilot pulled the throttles off 
and started some gentle braking. We ran off the runway but stopped in time 
before hitting a drainage ditch. We went over to the 358th where an aircraft 
was available and caught up to the 379th for the trip. We were 359th. 
Herb Shanker
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Van Pelt" <bvp6565 at yahoo.com>
To: "303rd Bomb Group Talk Forum" <303rd-talk at 303rdBG.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 2:29 PM
Subject: Re: [303rd-Talk] B-17 gross weight


> 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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>>
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