Bombing Mission
The flight crew arrive as the last major checks are being completed. They are clutching their flight bags and parachute packs, waering olive coveralls, heavy brown sheepskin jackets and trousers. A standard crew for a B-17G, by rank and position, was:
| Pilot | 1st Lieutenant |
| Co-Pilot | Flight Officer |
| Bombardier | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Navigator | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Top Turret Gunner/Engineer | Technical Sergeant |
| Radio Operator | Technical Sergeant |
| Ball Turret Gunner | Staff Sergeant |
| Right Waist Gunner | Staff Sergeant |
| Left Waist Gunner | Staff Sergeant |
| Tail Gunner | Staff Sergeant |
The crew perform their own checks and they confirm over their throat microphones that they are all in postion. The engines are started up and the altimeter is set for the height of the airdrome above sea level. The chocks are signalled away. the B-17 taxis off and joins the other bombers in a set pattern at the edge of the runway. The pilot has to keep the 30 tons of plane on the tarmac whilst not being able to see ahead. He steers by watching the edge of the tarmac paths through a side window of the cockpit and tries to use the brakes as little as possible. He knows that over use the taxiing can burn out the brake linings. The engines are revved to 1,500 rpm to clear out any muck from the spark plugs and all the while the tail gunner keeps an eye on the plane behind; in case it gets closer than the standard 30 yards. When tha aircraft gets to th edge of the mile and a quarter long runway it waits with other members of its squadron and then a "take off check" is performed: aileron, elevators and rudder trim tab controls are zeroed. the wing flaps raised and the propeller pitch control tested. the generators are turned on, the turbo-superchargers tested, the parking brake and the tail whell lock turned off.
The Captain swings the aircraft into positon just after the plane in front begins to take off on the 150 foot wide runway. He locks the tail wheel to "on" to keep the B-17 straight during its run. Final checks are mede to gyros, generators and fuel booster pumps as the Captain waits for the double-flash of green light from the black and white chequered runway control van. The controller looks through the glass roof of the van and signals with an Aldis lamp. He tries to time each take off at one minute intervals. The Captain takes the pressure of the foot brake and selects the correct manifold pressure and opens the throttles. At 100mph, the B-17 takes off and the pilot eases up control column and raises the landing gear. This is an anxious time for most crew as the plane, packed full of bombs and fuel, climbs gradually and builds up speed. At the IAAS (Idicated Air Speed) of 150mph the Captain throttles back and reduces the rmp from 2,500 to 2,300 feet per minute and flying through any overcast, to assemble in formation above the clouds. this is the time when there is the greatest risk of collision with another aircraift in the Group.
