B-17s at Low Level

Subject: B-17s at Low Level
From: Air Force Jayhawk
Date: 3/12/04 6:14 AM Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:

On 12 Mar 2004 12:02:27 GMT, (WalterM140) wrote:

Hi,

I am building a diorama with a 1/48th scale B-17 at low altitude. It will
have
two engines turning and two shut down.

My question is, would a B-17 have its landing flaps deployed at all at this
lower speed and altitude if it was not landing, just hedge-hopping home?
And
if so, how much?

Thanks,

Walt

I would doubt it. Flaps are designed to let you fly slower but
increase the drag tremendously. If an airplane is crawling home
wounded on less than full engine power, drag is the last thing you
want.

AFJ

Unless of course the hydraulic system has been shot out in which case both
flaps and landing gear would be down. As I vaguely remember it that hydraulic
sytem in a B-17 worked off one engine.I don't remember which one. But I might
be wrong about that, Check with a guy who flew B--17's to be sure. But you
could justify showing it with wheels and flaps down if an engine is shut down.
You might add a trail of smoke for reality. How about a red flare or two fired
from the B-17 to show wounded aboard?


Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer