B-17 Pilots Manual.pdf

,-,-- .----~ .. -~c - SECTION~~IDESCRIPTION-Figure'~)::-~1 - B-17F in Flight-1. AIRPLANE.a. Model B-17F and G bombardment airplanes arefour-engine-midwing monoplanes. The approximateover-all dimensions are: length, 74 feet 9 inches;height, taxying position, 19 feet 1 inch; span, 103 feet9 inches.Q. ElectricallY operated landing gear, tail gear,wing flaps, bomb bay doors, and hydraulically operatedbrakes and cowl flaps are provided.c. The crew includes pilot, copilot, navig:J.tor, bombaraier,upper turret gunner, lower turret gunner, radiooperator,sidegunner(s),and tail gunner. The airplanecan be entered either through the main entrancedoor on the right side of the airplane justforward of thehorizontal stabilizer, or through the front hatch in theIbottom of the fuselage below the pilot's compartment.d. Defensive armament of the B-17F consists ofthree turrets, each mounting two .50 calibre machineguns, and five single flexibly mounted .50 mounted. 50calibre machine gunS, The B-17G has an additionalpower turret just below the nose of the airplane and controlledfrom the. bombardier's compartment.e. Provisions are made for loading 2000-pound orsmaller bombs on racks within the bomb bay, and onebomb, up to 4000 pounds may be carried under eachwing.~ Automatic flight control equipment is provided.2. POWER PLANT.~'. ENGINES. - The Wright model R-1820-97 engiIwsare air-cooled, nine-cylinder radial aircraftengines, equipped with integral reduction gears throughwhich the propellers are driven.Q. TURBOSUPERCHARGERS. -A type B-2 GeneralElectric turbosupercharger is provided for each engineto boost manifold pressure for take-off and highaltitudeflight. Superchargers are controlled by automatichydraulic regulators adjusted from the pilot'scontrol pedestal.Figure 3 - Power Plant.!;.. PROPELLERS. - The Hamilton standard threebladepropeller's are hydromatically controlled withconstant-speed and full feathering provisions.g. AUTOMATICENGINE CONTROL. - Should en.-gine control cables be shot away, four of the controlswill automatically assume predetermined positions:throttles, wide open; superchargers, 65 percent power;intercoolers, cold; and propellers, 1850 rpm. Functioningof the automatic control at one unit will notaffect placement of controls at other units, or ofsimilar controls on other engines.Figure 2Three-quarterRear View1