Has anyoner tried this.................

[JOLT]

A fully manned B-17 against 3 or 4 fighter?
If so what happened? If not would someone like to try it?
JOLT

[jarbo]

Unfortunately since a B17 can only hold one gunner, you can't "fully man" a B17.  Our squad has taken 6 B17s w/ 6 gunners, was a real blast.  A tight formation really adds to the "safety" of the group.  

Jarbo
of the Buccaneers

[eskimo]

I will gladly take on 3 or 4 fighters in a B-17, as long as they come at me one at a time.  A well cordinated attack against a B-17 by two fighters from opposite directions is almost a sure kill, even if I am the gunner.  
eskimo

[Thunder]

I have been in this situation many, many times. It depends on who is attacking and how good they are. For example, I have killed as a gunner over five planes in a single sortie from a single bomber and lived. They all came up from the 6 o'clock possition and were climing or level and they died. But, am killed regularly and imediately by a single, skilled fighter pilots that are patient, get altitude advantage and plan there attack. They can make diving passes from an angles or directly above so that the top turret is unable to orient in time. Two good fighter pilots attacking from two different sides on a single buff can't be stopped. In a formation the damage from a two sided attack can be reduced by voice communication. This is a must in formation flying for gunners of several bombers. Typing messages doesn't get it when the fighters are (probably in voice too) co ordinating a two sided tandem run. Tight formations are good BUT beware of the classic mistake!!! When the fighters come in make sure that you have at least about 300 separation between bombers. Reason: On one run I remember we were trying to stay tight within (40 of each other)to concintrate our fire. One single (skilled) pilot in a P-51 lined all our wings and killed all three bombers in one firing pass!!! I learned a big lesson that day! A good fighter pilot will line for his initial target but will have another bomber in background to inflict multiple colateral damage when making passes on large close bomber formations. The bottom line is a good fighter pilot that takes his time and plans his attack can be very effective (at least 50/50) or better the more skill he has. Most don't plan or because of greed want to get there before there other buddies that are chasing the buff and they die because of haste and poor planing.. Hope that helps!  

Thunder

[This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 12-30-1999).]

[Thunder]

BTW Our squad has had 14 bombers up on a squad night in tight formation with 5 fighters as escort and still had 75% casualties. Many nights we do quite well though. I have to congratulate the "Flying Pigs Squadron". One evening they shot down our intire formation of nine bombers and didn't loose one plane! To date that was the worsed defeat we have suffered. Thats the difference  (skilled attacks and Dweebie attacks)that I was talking about! Bombers are not push overs but they are not difficult targets for the skilled hunter.

Thunder
XO Dickweed Heavy Bomber Group

[Fishu]

In B-17 skills of gunners matters more than anything else, you have to hit target already from 1600 yards without missing..
Its not a impossible to do 6 kills in B-17, just needs a crack shot  

[Thunder]

You don't gun much if you hit them regularly at  1600 LOL