[ARC5] Fwd: [Milsurplus] More Moron-ities. This Will Turn

[mac]

I remember something about a B-17 gunship that carried no bombs but a  
lot of extra .50 cal ammunition and maybe extra guns.  Idea was to  
provide additional protection for the rest of the formation.  Problem  
was it couldn't keep up with the rest of the -17s after they had  
dropped their loads and headed home because it was too heavy.  Anyone  
know more?

(OT but interesting...)

Dennis D.  W7QHO
Glendale, CA

*******************

On Oct 23, 2011, at 11:40 AM, Kenneth G. Gordon wrote:

> On 23 Oct 2011 at 12:25, gordon white wrote:
>
>> I think the B-17's guns were 50 caliber, not 30 caliber.
>
> First or early models were .30 caliber, and there were very few of
> them. Changed to .50 caliber very shortly after the first use of the
> B-17 in combat, and many more of those added later.
>
> Each .50 caliber machine gun weighs around 100 lbs.
>
> I believe at least one configuration of the B-17 included 13 .50s, or
> 1300 lbs of guns, less ammo.
>
> Ken W7EKB
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