2nd_Bombardment_Group_Langley_Field_1930_s.jpg

2nd Bombardment Group Y1B-17s, Langley Field

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Date: About Mar 1937 to about Oct 1940
Location: Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia, United Statesmap
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A list in progress of aircraft and personnel of the 2nd BG between the wars in Langley that flew the first B-17's.

Contents

A quick note to understand the Y1 designation on this batch of 13 aircraft:

  • Although not followed that strictly, the original concept was the X also was an experimental aircraft (e.g. Bell X-1), X as a prefix to a designation was for a test (experimental) version of an aircraft, and Y as a prefix was for a pre-production version of an aircraft.
    So you might have the X-40 to try out a new technology in an airframe not remotely suitable to be operational, then you build the XF-1000 to try that tech out in a new design, with some expectation the design isn't final. Once you have most of the bugs fixed and the design looks final, you build a small set of YF-1000 to get the production kinks ironed out, and to give you enough for a trials unit to maybe work out how to actually operate this aircraft as a unit. Finally, once that's all ready, you start with the F-1000 as the actual production run you plan to be the service aircraft.[1]
  • The Y1B-17 instead of YB-17 designation comes from the bomber's very shaky ground "F-1" procurement program that was one mishap away from the whole program being cancelled.[2]
  • These 13 aircraft fit the description above of a small set of pre-production aircraft.
    • They had simple counterweight propellers
    • The Y1B-17 had engines upgraded from the prototype's Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet radial engines, to the more powerful Wright R-1820 Cyclone that would become the standard power plant on all B-17s produced
    • Landing gear was simplified from the prototype
    • The 13th Y1B-17 was the first to include ventral-nacelle-mount turbochargers thus becoming the B-17A
    • Testing of the Y1B-17s would result in increased rudder and flap sizes
    • The Y1B-17's separate triangular-shaped bombardier's aiming window, located further back in the lower nose, would be eliminated and replaced with the familiar framed window panel in the lower portion of the nose glazing
    • Y1B-17s had a pneumatic brake system that would be replaced with more efficient hydraulic brakes.
    • Features such as the ball turret, dorsal fin, large vertical tail and tail gunner wouldn't happen until the E model came about after a fatal crash of the B-17's airliner sibling model 307.
  • The four Bomb Squadrons that operated them, fit the description above of a trials unit.
    • The personnel came in as pioneers or became them while in this group.
    • The group put the aircraft through a number of training, demonstration and exhibition flight activities.

Y1B-17's

https://www.john2031.com/boeing/b-17/y1b-17_aircraft/photos_and_information.html
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/boeing-m299-36-161-37-369/
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=52227
https://warbirds.fandom.com/wiki/Boeing_B-17_serial_numbers
https://www.reddit.com/r/WWIIplanes/comments/x6446c/boeing_b17_flying_fortress_airplanes_over_new/
https://volavi.co/aviacion/historia/historia-del-vuelo-de-buena-voluntad-de-bombarderos-y1b-17-flying-fortress-del-us-army-air-corps-a-colombia-en-1938
https://www.dailypress.com/history/dp-nws-langley-air-power-20160424-story.html
Frank Andrews Biography https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/24/2001330071/-1/-1/0/AFD-100924-041.pdf Maj. Barney Giles, pilot of the first B–17 to land at Langley Field

Major Robert Olds was promoted to Lt Colonel coinciding with the delivery of the first Y1B-17 March 1st, 1937[3]
March 12 - Brig. Gen. H. C. Pratt, commanding officer of the Second Wing at Langley Field, relieved of duty and leaves for Maxwell Field; replaced by Brig. Gen. G. C. Brant.[4]
Major Harold L George Commanding Officer of 96th Bombardment Group in 1937.[5]
Major Barney Giles commanded the 20th Bomb Squadron at Langley Field in Virginia for a year and moved up to operations officer of the 2d Bomb Group there in July 1936. He flew the first Y1B-17 Flying Fortress service test bomber to Langley on March 4, 1937.[6]
Major Caleb V. Haynes after June 1936 , returned to Langley Field, where he served as commanding officer of the 49th Bombardment Squadron of the 2nd Bombardment Group.[7]
Major Vincent J Meloy commanding Officer of 20th Bombardment Squadron, Oct 1936 - 4 Aug 1939[8]

The first Y1B-17 Flying Fortress service test aircraft were assigned in March 1937 to the 2nd Bombardment Group, commanded by Lt. Col. Robert Olds.
Following Barney M. Giles in the first one, Haynes flew the second one to Langley.
The seventh arrived June 1st, at Peninsula airdrome with Robert Olds as Pilot[4]
The tenth was piloted by Ford J Lauer accompanied by Ala L Harvey and N B Harding to Langley on 18 July 1937[9]

Amarillo B-17 Mechanic School (Class-26 references below)[10]

First 13 Y1B-17's Delievered to Langley Field Air Base, March 1, 1937 - September 14, 1937
Type Serial
Number 		Construction
Number 		Delivery
Date 		Ship
Number 		Squadron TransferredWritten Off
Date 		FateNotes
Y1B-17-BO 36-149 1973 1 mar 1937
(16 jan 1937) 		49th BS 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40 		11 Dec 1942 Class-26 2/11/42
(71 flights)		 [11] [12] [13][14]
The initial flight of the aircraft took place on 2-Dec-36, but with Stan Umstead, five days later nosed over during landed but was not too badly damaged[15]
Y1B-17-BO 36-150 1974 11 mar 1937
(1 or 2 mar 1937) 		#60 96th BS 19BG
March Fd
force landed
engine failure
8-Oct- 40		 30 Dec 1942 19th BG 16/7/42
(66 flights)		 [11] [16]
Y1B-17-BO 36-151 1975 28 mar 1937 #80 49th BS 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40 		5 Jan 1943 Class-26 21/11/42
(64 flights)		 [11] [17]
Y1B-17-BO 36-152 1976 27 mar 1937 #50 20th BS 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40 		13 Apr 1943 (65 flights) [11] [18] [19] [20]
Y1B-17-BO 36-153 1977 10 may 1937 #61 2nd BG 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40
Langley
17-Dec-41 		22 Jun 1943 MIS in VA 5/3/42
(58 flights)

[11] [21] [22] [23]

Y1B-17-BO 36-154 1978 16 may 1937 #81 49th BS 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40		 15 Jan 1943 Class-26 12/11/42
(59 flights)		 [11] [24] [25]
Y1B-17-BO 36-155 1979 1 jun 1937 #10 2nd BG HQ 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40
Langley 		29 Jan 1943 Class-26 12/11/42
(56 flights) 		[11] [26]
Y1B-17-BO 36-156 1980 17 jun 1937 #51 20th BS 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40		 2 Apr 1942 (66 flights) [11][27]
Y1B-17-BO 36-157 1981 6 jun 1937 #62? 2nd BG 96th BS? 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40 		18 Dec 1940 Accident
The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located 3,5 miles northwest of Idyllwild. All six crew members were killed. Dec 18, 1940
(46 flights)[28] [29] [30]		 [11] (Bill Bentley force landed ? due to severe icing conditions 6-Jul-37)
However despite bent wings and losing some rivets it basically proved to be intact during salvage operation.
[23]
Y1B-17-BO 36-158 1982 30 jun 1937 #82 49th BS 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40		 18 Dec 1942 Class-26 13/10/42
(65 flights)		 [11]
Y1B-17-BO 36-159 1983 14 sep 1937 #52 20th BS 15 Jan 1943 Class-26 19/11/42 [11] [31]
Y1B-17-BO 36-160 1984 28 jul 1937 #63 2nd BG 5 Jan 1942 Class-26 19/11/42 [11] [12] [23]
Y1B-17-BO 36-161 1985 8 aug 1937 #89 49th BS 19BG
March Fd
Oct-40 		18 Dec 1942 Class-26 9/10/42
(63 flights)		 [11]

missing #62, #53[32], #63

https://warbirds.fandom.com/wiki/Boeing_B-17_serial_numbers

Y1B-17A of 96th Bomb Squadron, 2nd BG at Langley Field 11 March 1937 https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/y1b-17a-96th-bs-at-langley-field-11mar37/
https://rzjets.net/aircraft/?typeid=480
https://www.abcdlist.nl/boeing_seattle_01.html
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Accidents_and_incidents_involving_the_Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress
https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b17/yb-17-2nd-bg-in-flight/

https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/boeing-y1b-17/ 1st B-17 to Langley
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/y1b-17.32738/

Y1B-17 Deliveries

Delivery Details by Aircraft, with flight and crew details
  • 1st YB-17 groomed for 1st flight
  • 1st YB-17 nose over landing
    • 7 December 1936: After its third test flight, the first YB-17 service test aircraft, 36-149, landed back at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington. The pilot was Lieutenant Colonel Stanley M. Umstead, Air Corps, United States Army, who was considered to be the Army’s most experienced and capable pilot. (Lt. Leonard F Harman was also on board)
      When the airplane touched down, the main wheels locked and after skidding a short distance, the B-17 nosed over. The bomber’s brakes had welded. No injuries were reported. 36-149 suffered moderate damage.
      Capt. E.R. McReynolds, an army air corps observer who was aboard, said the air brakes locked, preventing the landing wheels from rolling when the plane touched the ground. It was reported subsequently in Washington, D.C. that the accident might result in suspending construction of 13 bombing planes of similar type pending an investigation.[36]
    • Boeing mechanics estimate the bomber will be flying in a week after a "facelift" repair following the crash.
      A board of inquiry established by the Army to determine the cause of the crash[37]
  • Jan 14, 1937 On Way To Wright Field
    CHEYENNE Wyo Jan 14, (U.P.) -The 4-motored Boeing bomber-the "flying fortress" took off from the Municipal Airport at 8:50 a (10:50 EST) today for Wright Field Dayton Ohio. Airport officials said the plane was due to arrive at Wright Field about 5:00 EST The huge Army plane carrying a crew of seven was held in Cheyenne yesterday on Its trip from the factory at Seattle Wash to Dayton by unfavorable flying weather in the mid-west[38]
  • 1st Y1B-17 delivered to Wright Field January 16th, 1937
    1st of 13 to be delivered at rate of one a month to Langley[39]
  • Feb. 25, 1937 (2nd Y1B-17 built) Four-Engined Bomber Takes Off for Fort Bragg Under Sudden Orders
    The army's four-engine "mystery" bomber took off from Barksdale Field Thursday on its first "local flight" - and kept going.
    It was learned afterwards that its pilot, Maj. Barney Giles and a crew of five had been ordered to fly the big flying fortress to Pope field at Fort Bragg, N.C.
    The plane was sent here from the Boeing plant at Seattle, Wash., to await future deliveries because of the unsafe condition of the landing area at its permanent base at Langley Field, Va.
    No reason for the sudden change in orders was announced; the pilot and crew climbed in, lifted the craft from the ground in a graceful take-off and pointed its machine-gun studded nose to the east.
    Major Giles later radioed a farewell massage to Brig. Gen. Gerald C. Brant, third wing commanding general, and asked for continuous weather reports along the route to North Carolina.
    Only a few staff officers were allowed to inspect the new craft during its brief stay of two nights and one day at the local airdrome.
    It was under a heavy guard while here.[40]
  • 1st Y1B-17 (2nd Y1B-17 built) delivered to Langley March 2, 1937
    Delivered to 2nd Bombardment Group at Langley after being flown from Pope Field, Fort Bragg, NC[41]
    36-149 was then assigned to the 2nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia, 1 March 1937[42]
    1. Ship 60 (36-1509)
      1. Major Barney Giles (Official Pilot)
      2. Capt O E O'Conner (co-pilot)
      3. Lt William O Senter (navigator)
      4. Master Sergt. Floyd B Haney (crew chief)[43]
      5. Staff Sergt. Arthur Jolly (assistant crew chief)
      6. Tech Sergt C E Moslander (radio operator)
      7. Lt Col Charles B Oldfield (commanding officer of 2nd BG)
    • (XB-15) Four engined bomber three to four tons larger than YB-17 already being built with P&W twin Wasp sr engines.[44] B-15 delivered to Langley August 6, 1938[45]
    • On March 10th, 1937 the first Y1B-17 was landed at Bolling by Maj. B M Giles for display[46]
      Large photo spread of new Flying Fortress flown in by Giles[47]
  • (2nd Y1B-17 built)  ?? ??, 1937
    • February 8, 1937 - To Try Again
      Seattle - (U.P.) - The army's second Boeing "flying fortress" will head for March field, Cal., again this week
      after being forced back Sunday (February 7, 1937) when ice formed on the wings of the giant bomber.[48]
    • ~February 11-12, 1937 - ITS FOUR powerful engines roaring southward on the long hop from Seattle to March, Field,
      the second of the new Boeing "Flying Fortresses" went into service with the United States Army Air Corps
      just three and a half weeks after the arrival of the first of the big bombers at Wright Field, Dayton, O.
      Piloted by Maj. John D. Corkille, Air Corps representative at the Boeing Aircraft
      the giant engined YB-17 left Boeing Field, Seattle, at 10:45 a. m. and landed at 4 p. m. at March Field, where it will be stationed temporarily.
      1. Ship ?? (36-???)
        1. With Maj. Corkille on the flight were seven Air Corps officers from Langley Field, Virginia
        2. Maj. Barney M. Giles,
        3. Maj. C. V. Haynes,
        4. Capt. Cornelius O'Connor,
        5. Lieut. William O. Senter
        6. Sergeant Floyd B. Haney,
        7. Sergeant Charles E. Moslander
        8. Sergeant Arthur Jolly.
    • Meanwhile, the third YB-17 was being prepared for test flights at Seattle, while 10 others were under construction for the Air Corps in the Boeing plant.[49]
    • Following Barney M. Giles in the first one, Haynes flew the second one to Langley.[50][4]
    • Major Giles arrived at Langley Field with the first YB-17 on March 4, 1937.
      Maj. Caleb V. Haynes picked up the second one for the 49th Bombardment Squadron;
      Maj. Vincent .I. Meloy the third for the 20th Bombardment Squadron.
      By August 5, 1937, the 2d Bombardment Group owned 12; the 13th plane went to Wright Field, Ohio, for experiments.”[51]
  • 2nd Y1B-17 delivered to Langley (3rd Y1B-17 built) after April 3rd, 1937
    Landed at March Field on March 28th after leaving Seattle on the 28th.
    Will stay at March for four days before heading east to Langley.
    (Considered delivered March 28th, when it landed at March Field)
    1. Ship ?? (36-151)
      1. Piloted by Major B M Giles,
      2. co-pilot Major V J Meloy,
      3. Lieutenant F E Glantzberg as Navigator[52]
    • Still only three Y1B-17s as of April 25th, 1937[53]
  • 4th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley (3rd at Langley, Other at Wright) April 25th, 1937
    US Army gets Fourth 16 ton Y1B-17, third at Langley, one at Wright
    (Must have landed at March Field and been considered delivered March 27th)[54]
  • 5th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley May ??, 1937
    (36-153 Considered delivered May 10th, 1937)
  • 6th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley May 15th, 1937
    (6th built, 5th at Langley)
    • Seattle - May 15th - The sixth "flying fortress" in a group of 13 being built for the U. S. army by Boeing Airplane company left here this afternoon enroute to Langley Field, Va. Pilots of the four-engined, 16-ton bomber planned an overnight stop at Spokane.[55]
    • May 15, 1937 Y1B-17 left Spokane at 04:10AM for non stop flight to Langley that would take eleven hours
      (Considered delivered after it arrived on May 16th)
    1. Ship 81 (36-154)
      1. Major Vance Haynes [56]
  • 7th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley June 1st, 1937
    • The seventh arrived June 1st, at Peninsula airdrome
      1. Ship 10 (36-155)
        1. Robert Olds as Pilot[4]
    • McReynolds and Olds have been flying No. 10 together since it left
      the final assembly line in Seattle, Washington, in May, 1937.[57]
    • Sergeant Boutty and Private Jester, the chief mechanic and his first assistant,
      who have also become a living part of No. 10 since it left the factory,[57]
  • 8th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley ~June 6th, 1937
  • 10th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley July 18, 1937
    to Langley on 18 July 1937, 2 more remain and 1 still at Wright
    (Considered delivered July 28th)
    1. Ship ?? (36-???)
      1. piloted by Ford J Lauer
      2. accompanied by Ala L Harvey
      3. N B Harding[59]
  • 11th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley ?? ??, 1937
  • 12th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley ?? ??, 1937
  • 13th Y1B-17 delivered to Langley August 6, 1937
    (12th at Langley, One at Wright)
    • Last huge Flying Fortress of group contracted for brought to Langley Field. Thirteenth to be delivered.[4]
    • Dayton, Aug 5, - The 13th bomber of the "Flying Fortress" type was serviced today for flight,
      presumably to Langley Field, Va., where it will join other craft of the army air corps.
      It arrived at Wright Field last night after a hop from Seattle, Wash., where it was built.
      (Considered delivered August 8th, s/n 36-161)[60]
  • April 16th 1937 XB-15 roll out
    XB-15 rolled out at Seattle[61]
  • June 26,1937 531 Wright 1000HP air-cooled engines ordered for Flying Fortresses[62]
    (look at ATC light gun article on same news page)
  • July 26, 1937 Boeing Co. Gets Fat Contract for 10 more B-17's with option for 3 more.[63]
  • July 29th 1937 Boeing Plant expansion
    Boeing producing Y1B-17s 307s and XB-15[64]
  • October 8th 1937 Purchase of 13 additional YB-17 B Models announced
    Purchase of 13 additional YB-17 B Models announced October 6th, 1937 part of build up going to 1940[65]
  • December 3, 1937 Flying Fortress Luxury Airplane Ordered
    • Captain George Whittell, Woodside millionaire sportsman orders Flying Fortress for Luxury Airplane.[66]
    • As suspected when seeing this, it was a 307.
    • "My wife Elia spawned the purchase of our DC-2 aircraft as she traveled each year to France.
      The plane couldn’t travel that distance so I replaced it with a Boeing 307 Stratoliner.
      When Elia lost interest, Howard Hughes relieved me of the Boeing.
      Except for occasional weekends aboard my Grumman Goose seaplane, by WWII we stopped flying."[67]
    • He had the interest in a 307 Stratoliner, which he sold before the plane was delivered
      because it couldn’t fly nonstop from the West Coast to Europe as he had hoped.”[68]
    • The first flight of a 307 was on December 31, 1938[69]

Training and Demonstration Flights

  • March 3, 1937
    Maj Barney M Giles pilot (piloted 1st B-17 from West Coast to Langley), 2nd Lt. P. G. Miller co-pilot left Langley March 3, 1937 going to Barksdale, then headed to March Field but not participating in maneuvers just used as transport.[70]
  • April 2, 1937 On The Air
    Highlights today John B Kennedy and Brigadier General Gerald C Brant from the "Flying Fortress";[71]
  • April 20th, 1937 Chicago too small for Pilots to bring in Y1B-17s
    U.S. may help Chicago obtain larger aiport. Chicago airport needs larger runways to accommodate new four engined Y1B-17 bombers being delivered[72]
  • May 5th 1937
    1st Lt. Ford J. Lauer checked out as Aircraft Commander and Pilot of Y1B-17 by 1st Lt. Frederic Glantzberg[73]
  • May 5, 1937 Flying Fortress on 2500 Mile Hop
    March Field, May 5, The Army's "flying fortress" giant four-motored bombing plane, roared away from this western air base tonight on a projected 2500-mile non-stop flight to Langley Field Va.
    The huge plane is flying the southern route, via Fort Hampton, texas, where it is scheduled to rendezous with three other Boeing bombers in a tactical manuever.[74]
  • May 6, 1937 Test Flights
    Major Barney M. Giles, Lieut. P. G. Miller as co pilot and navigation officer, Lieut. Louis Waite, co-pilot and engineering officer and two enlisted men (Y1B-17) 12-hour, 2,450 mile, non-stop hop from March to Langley
    Lieut. Robert Travis pilot, Lieut. C.F. Cochrane as copilot and Lieutenant Le May as navigator, (Y1B-17) Langley at 9:45 a.m. to Wright field at 1 p. m.[75]
  • May 11, 1937
    Flying Fortress - Flying non-stop from Barksdale Field, La., the huge four-motored Boeing Flying Fortress arrived at March Field, Cal., to take part in the coming Army Air Corps maneuvers. The plane carried a crew of five officers and five enlisted men. Pic of it after arrival.[76]
  • May 21, 1937 Flying Fortress left for Langley
    left from Maxwell Field after a test flight from Barksdale, La. Major Lester McDuffle commander of flight, Captain Edwin R McReynolds was pilot.[77]
  • May 23, 1937 Flying Fortress at Floyd Bennett Field
    Lts. Bentley and Morgan flew it there for the day from Langley[78]
  • May 23, 1937 Flying Fortress at Central Airport for sight-seers
    Flying Fortress at Central Airport from Langley, one of six[79]
  • May 25, 1937 FLying Fortress Nursed By Crew to Safe Landing
    Electrical system went dead during night fight at Shreveport, La., Major V. J. Meloy brought the plane in total darkness at Barksdale after flying over Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and nort Louisiana[80]
  • June 15, 1937
    Flying Fortress Salutes Mount Rainier[81]
  • July 6th 1937
    1. Ship 62? (36-157)
      1. First Lieut. W. C, Bentley pilot
      2. Major Carl McDaniel copilot
      3. Lt. William P Ragsdale bombing officer
      4. Lt P G Miller navigator
      5. Private J H Shealey armament control
      6. Unknown Enlisted
      7. Unknown Enlisted
      8. Unknown Enlisted
  • July 11th 1937
    Lieut. William C, Bentley Y1B-17 Langley to Barksdale[87]
  • July 28th 1937 Navigation Training flights including B-17s
    Capt Alva L Harvey Air Corps, Y1B-17, Langley Field from Patterson Field, arrived 4:55 PM
    Capt. Neil B Harding, Air Corps, Y1B-17, Langley Field from Wright Field, arrived 6:30 PM
    Lieut. William C Bentley, Air Corps, Y1B-17, Wright Field from Langley Field, arrived 5:30 PM[88]
  • August 12-3, 1937 Joint Air Exercise No. 4
    41 Air Corps bombers (including seven B-17s operating from March Field) would attack the USS Utah with Navy-supplied water bombs[89]
  • August 17th 1937 training and demonstrations at Langley
    Lieut. Col. Robert Olds, Air Corps, B-17, Scott Field from March Field, arrived 6 PM
    Major Vincent J Meloy, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Barksdale Field, arrived 2 PM
    Major Caleb V Haynes, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Wright Field, arrived 1:20 PM
    Major Harold L George, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from March Field, arrived 2:10 PM
    Capt A Y Smith, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Maxwell Field, arrived 12:15 PM
    Capt Niel B Harding, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Maxwell Field, arrived 1 PM
    Capt Edwin R McReynolds, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Barksdale Field, arrived 2:10 PM
    Capt Cornelious W Cousland, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Barksdale Field, arrived 1:20 PM
    Lieutenant Bentley, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Maxwell Field, arrived 2:15 PM[90]
  • August 18, 1937, B-17's will need fighter escort
    Alford Joseph William points out after close observers watch bombers in Spain, fighter escort will be needed.[91]
  • August 20, 1937 Training Flights
    Lt Col. Robert Olds AC B-17 Mitchell Field from Langley Field arrived 1505
    1st Lt John S Mills AC B-17 Langley Field from Mitchell Field arrived 1740[92]
  • September 22nd 1937 Navigation Training including B-17s
    Lieut. Col. Robert Olds, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Mitchel Field, arrived 12:40 PM
    Lieut. Col. Carl Spatz, air corps A-17, (Col. Cooper) Langley Field from Mitchel Field, arrived 1 PM
    Lieut. Frederic E Glantzberg, air corps, B-17, Langley Field from Mitchel Field, arrived 6:15 PM[93]
  • October 3rd 1937 Navigation Training Flights including in B-17s
    Lieut. Colonel Robert Olds, Air Corps, leading 3 B-17's Langley Field from Riley, Kansas, arrived 3:10 PM
    Major Vincent J Meloy, Air Corps, B-17, Langely Field from Mitchel Field, arrived 5:40 PM
    Major Caleb V Haines, Air Corps, B-17 Langley Field from Sherman Field, arrived 3:15 PM
    Captain Darr H Alkire, Air Corps, B-17 Langley Field from Patterson Field, arrived 1:55 PM[94]
  • October 24, 1937 Navigation Training Fligts
    Lieut. Col. Carl Spatz, Air Corps, A-17, Maxwell Field from Houston, arrived 5 PM
    Major Vincent J Meloy, Air Corps, Major Harold L George, B-17, Langley Field from Patterson, arrived 2 PM
    Capt. Alva L Harvey, Air Corps, B-17, Langley Field from Wright Field, arrived 1:23 PM
    First Lieut. Torgils G Wold, Air Corps, First Lieut. Clifford H Rees, A-17, Langley Field from Fairfield, OH, arrived 5:15 PM[95]
  • October 29, 1937 Navigation Training flights
    Capt. Hilbert M. Wittkop Air Corps
    Capt. Frank H. Robinson
    First Lieut. Eugene P. Mussett
    Second Lieut. Herbert Morgan Jr. , B-17, Langely Field from Maxwell Field, arrived 7:05 PM[96]
  • February 3, 1938
    News
    Captain Robert B Williams, Air Corps, headquarters and headquarters squadron 2nd bomb group, detached service, March Field
    First Lieutenat Douglas M Kilpatrick Jr., Air Corps, 49th Bomb squadron 2nd bomb group, detached service, Seattle, Wa
    Privates Thomas J Tiggins and Robert D Smith transferred last week from Chanute Field to 2nd Bomb squadron
    Private Charles H Horton, 49th Bomb squadron, transferred to Hawaiian department, air corps unattached
    Navigation Training Flights
    Captain Hilbert M. Wittkop, aircorps, Captain Frank H. Robinson, First Lieutenant Nicolas Powell, Staff Sergeant Duffy, Corporal Withers and Privates Moll, Flight and Williams, B-17, langley Field from Middletown Air Depot
    Captain A. Y. Smith, air corps, First Lieutenant Carebs Cochrane, B-17, Duncan from Randolph Field[97]
  • Summer 1938
    • “In the summer of 1938, Bill [ Captain William C. Bentley, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps, a B-17 test pilot at Langley Field] and his aircrew flew back to Seattle to pick up an additional aircraft, YB-17 tail number 36-149 from Boeing. This aircraft was different from the original thirteen. During its assembly phase at Boeing, it was packed with additional instruments for recording purposes. Once delivered to Langley, the plane was going to be subjected to a variety of stress tests in order to determine how much damage the plane could take and still operate. During its flight to Langley, Bill arrived over the field in a thunderstorm. The strength of the storm flipped the plane upside down, a stress never envisioned by the designers for such a large aircraft, much less one loaded to capacity with measuring instrumentation and a full crew. Using his fighter pilot training, Bill flew the aircraft at its maximum altitude then performed a slow roll to bring the airplane into its proper attitude. After recovering from a harrowing spin, Bill got control of the plane and landed successfully.
      Much to the crew’s amazement, the wings were slightly bent and some rivets were missing. But the measuring instrumentation had recorded all of the stress placed on the plane. Subsequently, this aircraft was equipped with turbo-chargers to study the plane's ability for high altitude performance.”
      —The Touch of Greatness: Colonel William C. Bentley, Jr., USAAC/USAF, by Stewart W. Bentley, Jr., Ph.D., AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2010, Chapter 2 at Page 45.
      (This meant that a fourteenth YB-17, which had been built specifically as a static test article, could be completed as a Y1B-17A, 37-369.)[98][99]
    • ("Flying Fortress" is worded slightly different) Meanwhile the thirteenth YB, the static test plane, was under going a long range test.
      Heavily loaded with instruments and piloted by Lieutenant William Bentley
      the plane arrived over Langley Field in the summer of 1938 during a storm.
      Bentley found himself inside a thunderhead which flipped the plane on its back.
      By the time he was able to bring the plane under control,
      Bentley and plane, had Spun down through the overcast.
      A plane of the B-17s size and weight was designed to be flown upside down or spun,
      so Bentley was not a little amazed to see the wings still attached.
      Upon landing it was found that although the wings were bent and some rivets popped, the plane was intact.
      In addition, the recording instruments had registered all the stresses through which the plane (AC 36-161) had gone.
      It had taken more than even the most severe critic could demand.
      It was decided then that the static test plane would be converted into a flying model,
      quipped with turbo-superchargers for the engines to study the possibilities of high-altitude performance.
      In order to achieve accuracy, the plane would have to attack by daylight;
      to be as safe as possible from enemy antiaircraft guns, it would also have to fly in the sub-stratosphere.
      Step by step the principles that would change the face of war, and more terribly the face of Europe, came into being.[100]
    • Bentley's spin is mentioned in the 307 fatal spin investigation:
      . . . while flying with a gross load of about 42,000 pounds at an altitude of 14,000 feet, went into an inadvertent spin and made two complete turns before recovery was effected. During the pull-out from the ensuing dive, permanent distortion occurred in the structure of both wings, necessitating the installation of new wings on the aircraft.[101]
  • October 11, 1938 Umpstead and Goddard fly from Wright Field to Rochester NY to talk with Kodak
    [102]
  • November 23, 1939 two B-17-B grounded by inclement weather
    [103]

Good Will and Exhibition Flights

Sources

  1. ↑ https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-US-have-two-designations-for-prototype-aircraft-the-X-and-Y
  2. ↑ https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AUPress/Books/b_0127_meilinger_bomber.pdf see pages 57-8/397 in the pdf
  3. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=GdtPtUYP6-MC&pg=PA161&lpg=PA161&dq=36-153+yb-17+2nd+bg&source=bl&ots=hBmFdv-H0i&sig=ACfU3U27IHInLWBrW6ibmruXDqBPuvQ3dA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja_t2FyaX9AhWxF1kFHecJAoI4ChDoAXoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q=36-153%20yb-17%202nd%20bg&f=false Birth of a Legend: The Bomber Mafia and the Y1b-17 By Capt Arthur H. Wagner Uscg (Ret), Arthur H. Wagner, Leon E. Braxton, Ltcol Leon E. (Bill)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 https://www.newspapers.com/image/230929285/?terms=fortress%20B-17%20Langley&match=1 Daily Press 02 Jan 1938, Sun · Page 17
  5. ↑ Harold L George
  6. ↑ Barney M. Giles
  7. ↑ Caleb V. Haynes
  8. ↑ http://usafunithistory.com/PDF/20-29/20%20BOMB%20SQ.pdf
  9. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121648730/10th-b-17/ Daily Press Newport News, Virginia 20 Jul 1937, Tue • Page 7
  10. ↑ https://www.aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=599
  11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 American Air Museum 36-149, 36-150, 36-151, 36-152, 36-153, 36-154, 36-155, 36-156, 36-157, 36-158, 36-159, 36-160, 36-161
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 https://www.91stbombardmentgroup.com/Aircraft%20ID/FORTLOG.pdf 91st BG Fortress Log
  13. ↑ https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/y1b-17a-96th-bs-at-langley-field-11mar37/ Ship 61, Y1B-17A of 96th Bomb Squadron, 2nd BG at Langley Field 11 March 1937
  14. ↑ 96th Bomb Squadron #61 has 96th BS devil holding bomb emblem so 49th BS is probably not what it was assigned to
  15. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/boeingb17/posts/boeing-yb-17-flying-fortress-36-149-the-initial-flight-of-the-aircraft-took-plac/2308531552547502/?locale=ms_MY&paipv=0&eav=Afax6KrIvUMx5nqapw6Nx3nfnWCliz_1yoi_rC_C-xi_rsfcoYNowSiUiYdgU6Zx_CA&_rdr
  16. ↑ https://www.aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=161 disputes first Y1B-17 to go to Langley Field
  17. ↑ https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/yb-17-49th-bs-selfridge-field-1939/
  18. ↑ https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/y1b-17a-96th-bs-at-langley-field-11mar37-2/
  19. ↑ https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/y1b-17a-96th-bs-at-langley-field-11mar37-3/
  20. ↑ https://www.john2031.com/boeing/b-17/y1b-17_aircraft/photos_and_information.html brush-painted with water-based paint in this camouflage scheme as part of some anti-aircraft manuevers in May, 1938
  21. ↑ https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/97285 disappeared with its 8 crew
  22. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156924794/edward-flanick Y1B-17 Flying Fortress #36-153 over the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, while on anti-submarine patrol from Langley Field (Virginia)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 https://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/question-about-photo-of-bombers-b-17.98828/#post-1005510
  24. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/598211762/?terms=liner%20rex&match=1 pic of 81
  25. ↑ https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/38902#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0&xywh=-209%2C0%2C1676%2C894
  26. ↑ https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/media/media-32216jpeg
  27. ↑ https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/unit/20th-bomb-squadron American Air Museum 20th BS
  28. ↑ https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-boeing-y1b-17-flying-fortress-near-idyllwild-6-killed uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located 3,5 miles northwest of Idyllwild
  29. ↑ https://veterans.oregonstate.edu/gold-star-project-member/mccauley-vernon-mathew Vernon Mathew McCauley killed in crash
  30. ↑ https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=97283
  31. ↑ https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/y1b-17-20th-bs-2nd-bg-langley-field-1937/
  32. ↑ https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/38901#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0&xywh=-218%2C-1%2C1695%2C905
  33. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/314252417/?terms=YB-17&match=1 The Indianapolis News 02 Dec 1936, Wed · Page 10
  34. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-worlds-biggest-b/125089686/ Democrat and Chronicle Rochester, New York • Thu, Dec 3, 1936 Page 2
  35. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-star-major-john-d-corkille-f/125090433/ The Lincoln Star Lincoln, Nebraska • Sun, Jun 26, 1938 Page 40
  36. ↑ https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/stanley-milward-umstead/
  37. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-platte-daily-telegraph-yb17-to-fly/125008765/ North Platte Daily Telegraph North Platte, Nebraska • Tue, Dec 8, 1936 Page 1
  38. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-news-sun-flying-fortress-hel/125425459/ Springfield News-Sun Springfield, Ohio • Thu, Jan 14, 1937 Page 20
  39. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/392378191/?terms=y1b-17&match=1 The Dayton Herald 18 Jan 1937, Mon · Page 12
  40. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/600014919/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Shreveport Journal 25 Feb 1937, Thu · Page 1
  41. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-mr-sgt-floyd-b-haney-crew-ch/117831405/ Daily Press 02 Mar 1937, Tue · Page 9 (lists crew names and duties)
  42. ↑ https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/boeing-yb-17/
  43. ↑ 43.00 43.01 43.02 43.03 43.04 43.05 43.06 43.07 43.08 43.09 43.10 43.11 43.12 43.13 43.14 43.15 43.16 43.17 43.18 2nd Bombardment Group Y1B-17 personnel still at Langley Field in 1940
  44. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/148001214/?terms=yb-17&match=1 Reno Gazette-Journal 04 May 1937, Tue · Page 11
  45. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/231515242/?terms=edwin%20r%20mcreynolds&match=1 Daily Press 07 Aug 1938, Sun · Page 25
  46. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/864651276/?terms=flying%20fortress&match=1 Evening Star 10 Mar 1937, Wed · Page 21
  47. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/147062514/?terms=flying%20fortress&match=1 The Pittsburgh Press 14 Mar 1937, Sun · Page 80
  48. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/932419659/?terms=second%20flying%20fortress&match=1 The Spokane Press 08 Feb 1937, Mon · Page 1
  49. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-yb-17-at-march-fiel/117837016/ The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Sun, Apr 11, 1937 Page 64
  50. ↑ Haynes
  51. ↑ https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/23/2001330114/-1/-1/0/AFD-100923-007.pdf
  52. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/563035138/?terms=y1b-17&match=1 Spokane Chronicle 29 Mar 1937, Mon · Page 34
  53. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/864655940/?terms=yb-17&match=1 Evening Star 25 Apr 1937, Sun · Page 60
  54. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/354866893/?terms=flying%20fortress&match=1 Chicago Tribune 26 Apr 1937, Mon · Page 8
  55. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/725909780/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Tacoma Daily Ledger 15 May 1937, Sat · Page 1
  56. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/506098848/?terms=yb-17%20coronation&match=1 Times Colonist 15 May 1937, Sat · Page 1
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 https://eaavintage.org/outstanding-south-america/
  58. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230890667/?terms=William%20C.%20Bentley&match=1 Daily Press 26 Jun 1937, Sat · Page 7
  59. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121648730/10th-b-17/ Daily Press Newport News, Virginia 20 Jul 1937, Tue • Page 7
  60. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/85783533/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Salem News 05 Aug 1937, Thu · Page 1
  61. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/722877383/?terms=yb-17%20coronation&match=1 The Idaho Statesman 17 Apr 1937, Sat · Page 1
  62. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/499488113/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Province 26 Jun 1937, Sat · Page 36
  63. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/568969408/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Spokesman-Review 27 Jul 1937, Tue · Page 27
  64. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/773691632/?terms=yb-17&match=1 The Seattle Star 29 Jul 1937, Thu · Page 20
  65. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/369953094/?terms=yb-17&match=1 Chicago Tribune 09 Oct 1937, Sat · Page 6
  66. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/682491725/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Sugar House Bulletin 03 Dec 1937, Fri · Page 4
  67. ↑ https://thunderbirdtahoe.org/images/magazines/spring-2012.pdf
  68. ↑ https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a1834211/thats-duesy/
  69. ↑ Boeing 307 Stratoliner
  70. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/828030137/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 Richmond Times-Dispatch 04 May 1937, Tue · Page 7
  71. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/315358998/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Central New Jersey Home News 04 Apr 1937, Sun · Page 35
  72. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/354862206/?terms=y1b-17&match=1 Chicago Tribune 20 Apr 1937, Tue · Page 14
  73. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=6371483519569745&set=gm.10160833485947728&idorvanity=9261317727
  74. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/721790379/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1&clipping_id=125441548 The Long Beach Sun 06 May 1937, Thu · Page 10
  75. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-flying-fortress-planes-to-u/127907840/ Daily Press Newport News, Virginia • Sat, May 8, 1937 Page 9
  76. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/707869260/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 Henryetta Daily Free-Lance 11 May 1937, Tue · Page 1
  77. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/570808001/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Selma Times-Journal 21 May 1937, Fri · Page 10
  78. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/52653438/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 24 May 1937, Mon · Page 5
  79. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/171137416/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Philadelphia Inquirer 24 May 1937, Mon · Page 2
  80. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/384682433/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Atlanta Constitution 26 May 1937, Wed · Page 4
  81. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/328012332/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Tampa Tribune 15 Jun 1937, Tue · Page 4
  82. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/797325117/?terms=B-17%20Langley&match=1 Covington Virginian 06 Jul 1937, Tue · Page 1
  83. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/913025047/?terms=b-17%20galax%20&match=1 The Roanoke Times 07 Jul 1937, Wed · Page 2
  84. ↑ https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=NVD19370707.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------
  85. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/913025047/?terms=J%20H%20Shealey%20B-17&match=1 The Roanoke Times 07 Jul 1937, Wed · Page 2
  86. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/828023199/?terms=William%20C.%20Bentley&match=1 Richmond Times-Dispatch 07 Jul 1937, Wed · Page 6
  87. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230900536/?terms=William%20C.%20Bentley&match=1 Daily Press 13 Jul 1937, Tue · Page 9
  88. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/231428574/?terms=William%20C.%20Bentley&match=1 Daily Press 30 Jul 1937, Fri · Page 9
  89. ↑ Joint Air Exercise No. 4
  90. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/231452665/?terms=B-17%20Langley&match=1 Daily Press 19 Aug 1937, Thu · Page 10
  91. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-term-flying-fortres/125418493/ The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Wed, Aug 18, 1937 Page 35
  92. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/231456513/ Daily Press 22 Aug 1937, Sun · Page 21
  93. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/231498656/?terms=B-17%20Langley&match=1Daily Press 24 Sep 1937, Fri · Page 13
  94. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/231513811/?terms=B-17%20Langley&match=1 Daily Press 03 Oct 1937, Sun · Page 29
  95. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/233405802/?terms=B-17%20Langley&match=1 Daily Press 26 Oct 1937, Tue · Page 8
  96. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/233406413/?terms=Herbert%20Morgan%20Jr%20B-17&match=1 Daily Press 31 Oct 1937, Sun · Page 32
  97. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230930315/?terms=B-17%20Cochrane&match=1 Daily Press 03 Feb 1938, Thu · Page 6
  98. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=OsIBdVV_YOAC&q=36-149#v=snippet&q=36-149&f=false
  99. ↑ https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/boeing-y1b-17/
  100. ↑ "Flying Fortress" page 14
  101. ↑ https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/wright-aeronautical-corporation/
  102. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/135836511/?terms=flying%20fortress&match=1 Democrat and Chronicle 12 Oct 1938, Wed · Page 37
  103. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230899992/?terms=B-17&match=1 Daily Press Newport News, Virginia · Thursday, November 23, 1939
  104. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/349431221/?terms=yb-17&match=1 The Montana Standard 03 May 1937, Mon · Page 3
  105. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/10542902/?terms=b-17%20Lindbergh%20flight&match=1 The Bee 20 May 1937, Thu · Page 4
  106. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-quartet-of-y1b-17s-on-tour/124999193/ Daily Press Newport News, Virginia • Sun, May 16, 1937 Page 29
  107. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230869917/ Daily Press 16 May 1937, Sun · Page 34
  108. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/384681342/?terms=B-17%20Langley&match=1 The Atlanta Constitution 23 May 1937, Sun · Page 28
  109. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/554276324/?terms=second%20%22flying%20fortress%22&match=1 The Morning Call 22 Sep 1937, Wed · Page 22
  110. ↑ https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0030848/trivia/?ref_=tt_ql_3
  111. ↑ Test Pilot (film)
  112. ↑ https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/838/test-pilot/#overview
  113. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/573340071/?terms=edwin%20r%20mcreynolds&match=1 St. Louis Globe-Democrat 11 Jan 1938, Tue · Page 7
  114. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/289228534/?terms=Robert%20Olds%20Buenos%20Aires&match=1
  115. ↑ Harold L George George was promoted to the temporary rank of major in July 1936. He graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the following year and returned to Langley as commanding officer of the 96th Bombardment Squadron. George flew to South America as a part of Air Corps goodwill flights in February 1938 and November 1939
  116. ↑ https://volavi-co.translate.goog/aviacion/historia/historia-del-vuelo-de-buena-voluntad-de-bombarderos-y1b-17-flying-fortress-del-us-army-air-corps-a-colombia-en-1938?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp History of the goodwill flight of US Army Air Corps Y1B-17 Flying Fortress bombers to Colombia in 1938
  117. ↑ https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/b-17b/b-17s-over-wright-memorial-at-kitty-hawk-39/
  118. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230179407/?terms=B-17&match=1 Daily Press 08 Jul 1939, Sat · Page 5
  119. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230879182/?terms=B-17%20Cochrane Daily Press 20 Oct 1939, Fri · Page 1
  120. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/230879495/?terms=B-17%20Cochrane&match=1 Daily Press 20 Oct 1939, Fri · Page 9
  121. ↑ https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/78892/i-wanted-wings/#notes
  122. ↑ https://www.impdb.org/index.php?title=I_Wanted_Wings




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Garver-384 Jason Garver
Natalie,

I am usually one that goes more into technical detail than the human side of things on something like this. My intent with the page was to set the stage that these men were put onto. Yes I have a list of aircraft but its really there trying to figure out who was where and what the historical significance was. IE privates 1-10 were on these three planes while someone more notable like Curtis Lemay creates a controversial event. You'll also see I have the planes there so I can keep track of the crew lists. On something like a person that was part of a particular squadron in a particular group in say the ETO I wouldn't get so focused on the planes being B-26G versus B-26F. That technical difference is historically and humanly insignificant. Consider the Y1B-17s more of a controversial, historically significant experiment. When you make your Y1B-17 category make it personnel not pilots. Also this time and place may not be what made these people notable to us today but it was being being in this group that gave them the experience and exposure to promote them to Colonels to Generals and Master Sergeants and Warrant Officers from the enlisted side. I have a feeling putting 2nd Bomb group Y1B-17 on their record mattered more than someone throwing around graduating with honors from an Ivy league college or an officer doing the same at West Point while rubbing shoulders with the right people. I have to leave some of the technical woven in because these people gave us things that continue to affect aviation as we know it today including the iconic checklists we all follow. I leave some of the technical backdrop in because some of the descendants of the officers know what their ancestors did but some of the descendants of the enlisted don't even realize what all their ancestors did. Thank you and I'm sure we'll talk more. Jason

posted by Jason Garver
Durbin-702 Natalie (Durbin) Trott
Hi Jason,

Great project. I'm renaming the 2nd Bomb Group Y1B-17's though. Also adding military stickers to the profiles. Natalie, Military and War Leader

posted by Natalie (Durbin) Trott
Garver-384 Jason Garver
Hi Natalie,

If you want to rename it to fit within the more standardized categories go for it. Do me favor when you're re-categorizing it, as narrow as this seems, I focused on 13 planes with this one. My goal is to get all the descendants I know of involved. I know of at least 3-4 without trying on one of the B-17 groups on Facebook. I'm being more narrow than just 2nd Bombardment group on this. 2nd had a bunch of other aircraft at the time. If I'm telling you something you already know, my apologies. The first 13 B-17's were responsible for the "Bomber Mafia". These planes were unique in many ways and yet they had some key features that stayed through the whole B-17 program. From a human element, it seems most that were involved with these 13 planes went on to very successful careers, every officer seems to have made at least Colonel. It was a pioneering part of the group. (Update I see the new category! Can we create a Y1B-17 project subcategory within 2nd Bombardment?) Thanks, Jason

posted by Jason Garver
edited by Jason Garver
Garver-384 Jason Garver
Natalie,

Also looking at your new category, there was a 2nd bomb group within 2nd bomb wing. The Y1B-17's were within the group. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Combat_Bombardment_Wing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Operations_Group#Interwar_years So do we create a subcategory for the group within the wing? Then create the Y1B-17 project within the group? Thanks, Jason

posted by Jason Garver
Durbin-702 Natalie (Durbin) Trott
Your project is a great way to feature such detail. Remember, WikiTree is about profiles of people and we're not Wikipedia. It's great to provide all of that information in the free-space page, and linking to the profiles of the men who served. If you need a special category for this "Bomber Mafia" we can do that as well, but we will need to figure out how it fits in the category structure. The men should also have their typical categories for medals earned, other wars (i.e. if they were also in WWI or Korean War or Vietnam). Their profiles should tell more than just their military story, since we are a genealogical site focused on a global family tree.

We usually do not break down a particular aircraft into all of its versions, although if I have a look, I'll probably find some done that way. For our purposes, a B-17 is a B-17.

So, what do you think of Category:2nd Bombardment Group Y1B-17 Pilots, United States Army Air Forces for he name?


Natalie

posted by Natalie (Durbin) Trott
edited by Natalie (Durbin) Trott

Categories: 2nd Bombardment Group, Y1B-17 Personnel | B-17 Bombers | United States Army Air Corps