Hope I'm not opening a can of worms, but I'm trying to determine the correct configuration of seat harnesses for B-17Fs in the spring of 1943. Would they have had shoulder harnesses or only seat belts at that time? And how about the yellow flotation devices they had later, would they have been present then? Over the years I've discovered that reference works aren't very good at depicting original seat belt set-ups, so I'm checking in here.

Thanks!

Michael

No to the shoulder harness and yes to to the yellow seat back and bottom cushions.

Thanks Karl, I was hoping you'd weigh in!

Michael

Here is the illustration from the IPC. This is from the G but everything was the same in the F (the stuff mounted on the back of the seat changed and there was a minor variation in the armor plate, but the seats and their cushions were consistent):

Back side of back cushion:



Seat Cushion:



Newly made to original specs for the Belle

OK, I'm stealing these pictures. Thanks again!!

Michael

They are mine, I share

Tank ooh!

Michael