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By: - 3rd October 2016 at 19:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The Operating Handbook had drawings of bomb loads with the various bombs (100lbs to 2000lbs) that could be carried.
The diagrams are in several books, including The B-17 Flying Fortress Story by Freeman
and B-17 Flying Fortress by P.M. Bowers.
While not terribly detailed, it might be what you're after.
If so, I can post a photo of the chart.
By: - 3rd October 2016 at 22:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I did use to wonder (in the mists of time) if the B17 could carry some of the larger bombs the Lancaster carried, cookie and the bouncing bomb primarily.
By: - 3rd October 2016 at 22:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Would the chart below by the one you're referring to? Honestly it's precisely what I was looking for. I know the B-17 does get criticized for having a fairly small internal payload relative to some of its contemporaries (Lancaster & B-24 namely), but nonetheless I just wanted to know how they could configure it. I'm assuming even though this chart is a G-model that at least the E & F are similar.
By: - 3rd October 2016 at 23:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Actually, I was thinking of this one...
By: - 5th October 2016 at 22:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Jeep Shows The Comparative Size Of 4000-Pound Block Busters At An 8Th Air Force Service Command Depot In Sharnbrook England
By: - 7th October 2016 at 18:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
For general specs, Ray Wagner is good. He gives refs for his data. As I recall, the -17 was cleared to about 18,000 lb, including external stores, but I don't think anything like that was used in combat, except for the c10 tons of torpex or whatever loaded into the guided missile versions. The -24 was more like four than seven years after the -17 and was a direct response to that design.
The -29 was tested with up to 22 tons of bombs.
By: - 7th October 2016 at 20:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Presumably that 18,000lb includes fuel: as the charts above show a maximum possible carriage of 8000lb.
I've seen a photo of a B-29 flying with two Tallboys, which is 24,000lb. I think that they only flew operationally (in Korea) with one Tarzon, or guided Tallboy, but can't confirm.
By: - 7th October 2016 at 23:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The -24 was more like four than seven years after the -17 and was a direct response to that design.
The -29 was tested with up to 22 tons of bombs.
You're correct...
B-17 ff, 28 July 1935
B-24 ff, 29-Dec, 1939
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By: PhantomII - 3rd October 2016 at 14:10
Any particularly good resources for B-17 technical details that anyone is aware of? I'm going to do some digging, but I figured I'd ask here first to see what the collective forum may have as suggestions. I'm just curious about details of the bomb bay in the B-17 and how it could be configured as well as typical paylods, etc. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!