Pigeons in B-17's?

[frank3]

Did B-17's carry pigeons in case of a crashlanding? (so they could send a message back to base)
I read that in a B-17 bail-out manual.

Never heard of this before though, is it true?

[SunTracker]

Never heard of it.  I dont think pigeons would be able to survive at 30,000 feet due to cold and hypoxia.  This is probably the reason they did not carry them.

[frank3]

Hmm, I read it on this site: http://www.stelzriede.com/ms/html/mshwpmn2.htm#ditch

It's the bombardiers duty for taking care of the pigeon:

'Bombardier
Jettisons bombs, closes bomb bay doors, destroys bombsight, goes to radio compartment, closing compartment door. Takes first-aid kits to radio compartment.


Takes position, partially inflates life vest by pulling cord on one side.


Directs and assists exit of men through radio hatch. Stands above and forward of hatch and receives equipment from navigator and hands it to crew members as follows: signal set and radio to radio operator; ration kit No. 1 to tail gunner; ration kit No. 2 to right waist gunner; navigation kit to ball turret gunner; pigeon crate to left waist gunner . Assists flight engineer in making exit.


Goes to right dinghy.'

[GREENTENERAL]

Wow! thats so funny that it was the bombardiers job to care for the pigion...having so much in common!

When I read all this, I had this vision of a pigeon in a little puffy coat with a hood, and being fed warm soup by a fellow bombardier.

Luke and his little yoda!

[Bodhi]

Originally posted by GREENTENERAL
Wow! thats so funny that it was the bombardiers job to care for the pigion...having so much in common!

When I read all this, I had this vision of a pigeon in a little puffy coat with a hood, and being fed warm soup by a fellow bombardier.

Luke and his little yoda!

lol