B-24

My uncle flew one against Japanese shipping for the RAAF. He would tell me stories of flying a stripped down (no armor, minimal guns) B-24 loaded with fuel and bombs at 50 feet above the sea.

He commissioned an artist to depict one of his attacks, if interested a copy of the artwork is over on this site:

http://www.rquirk.com/203.html

Peter

:-) Great picture, thanks for sharing
Mal

The B24 just looks too modern... I prefer the retro looks of the B17 !

B 17 for me. It´s an icon airplane

I just now saw this thread so I'm late jumping on the bandwagon for the B17. It was the first model I ever built. It was the first, and so far only, "wingy thingy" I've built since getting back into the hobby. My Father in Law was a waste gunner in one, though at 6 foot 4 inches I don't know how he could fit in it. My Dad was a truck driver at a field where shot up 'forts came home to roost.

I've seen, and heard, both B17s and B24s in the air. While I LIKE the B24 I LOVE the B17. There is just something about that bird that makes you think, "this bird will get me home."

For the record I like the Lanc too. I've just never seen one in real life so I can't feel the same way about it as I do the B17.

Here is the picture of the 17 that Mavrick mentioned. Flying that rascal home had to be about a 10 on the pucker scale.

Shaun

B-24 till Death!

definatly the B-17.

Of all the interviews I have seen by 8th Air Force vets, B17 & B24 crews, they all would prefer, if they had the choice to fly in the B17. reason is easy - survivability. That was in ETO. In the Pacific, the B-24 was the preferred bomber because of its better range and speed.

As for the Lancaster, because of its weak armament, it never would have survived for daylight bombing.

Also the B-17 is the oldest of the three, first flying in 1935 - the first modern, successful, purpose built four engines bomber!!

the 24 could take a beating too. I saw a picture one in air and space where a 109 whose pilot got shot flew through the side of one creating such a big hole that it was only held together the some skin and a few spars yet it made it all the way home.

from a modelling point of veiw got to be the 24 got the coastal command white and grey the formation start up plane colour schemes truley mental looking.if any ones has the mighty 8th book by roger freeman you can see some terffic schemes in that, but of all time got to be the Lanc you cant beat hearing it buzz over the Southport beach during the show with a spit and hurricane beside it

It hasta be the "Fort". When my wife and I were on our honeymoon to Victoria B.C.(back in 1987), we were on the ferry boat with a group of 8th AF B-17 vets doing a reunion in Seattle. I got to see 12-15 B-17s actually fly in the "Box" as they headed for Boeing Field in Seattle. WAAAAYYYCOOL!!!!!!!!

B-24. A real war winning bomber, coastal command patrol, transport (LB30), flew consistently through Asia/Pacific war, Western/Central European war, Middle East/Med, North Atlantic and everywhere else.

The Lancaster as well is a favourite. . . well, I work with one (see my link for where) who's name is George and he is a very famous Lanc