The average age of the crew of a B-17 was less than 25, with four officers and six enlisted Airmen manning the aircraft. Their chance of survival was less than 50 percent.
What was the life expectancy of a bomber crew in WW2?
Everyone had to play their part to stay alive. The Lancaster was one of the most dangerous places to be in the entire war – the life expectancy of a new recruit was just two weeks.
What was the life expectancy of a tail gunner?
The Rear-Turret Gunners were in the most vulnerable position on the Plane. The life expectancy of a WW2 Rear-gunner varied but was never high, mostly about just 5-Sorties.
How many B-17 crews completed 25 missions?
In May of 1943, two B-17s (from two separate Bomb Groups) were the first two heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions in the European Theater. Both aircraft flew their first combat mission in November of 1942.
What was the life expectancy of a ball turret gunner?
37 seconds
“I later learned that the life expectancy of a ball turret gunner was just a mere 37 seconds. I didn’t know that going in,” he said. Recently read in the book “Masters of the air“ by Donald Miller, the story of a B-17 that had to make an emergency landing when its landing gear stuck.
What is the life expectancy of a tank crew?
His goal was to depict the reality of what it was like to be in the armored divisions fighting in World War II — the life expectancy of a tank crew was six weeks. Ayer wanted to show not only what it was really like to be a part of a tank crew, but how ferocious, and awful, the war was right up until the very end.
What was the life expectancy of a Lancaster rear gunner?
five sorties
Estimates for the life expectancy for a WWII Lancaster rear gunner vary but are never high, mostly about just five sorties. His remarkable figure of 60 missions included being shot down twice into the Channel, the first time seeing him and his crew spending about four days in a dinghy.
How many tail gunners died in WW2?
Some claim that as many as 20,000 Air Gunners were killed during WW2.
What was the life expectancy of a Spitfire pilot?
four weeks
The average life expectancy of a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain was just four weeks. Despite this alarming figure, aspiring fighter pilots continued to join the RAF throughout the conflict, supporting the efforts of ground troops and defending their country.
What was the life expectancy of a Huey door gunner in Vietnam?
Over 10% of Vietnam casualties were helicopter crew members, and most of those were the door gunners that protected the helicopter, its crew, and its transports, from their exposed position. The average lifespan of a door gunner on a Huey in Vietnam was just two weeks.
What was the average age of a B-17 pilot?
The average age of the crew of a B-17 was less than 25, with four officers and six enlisted Airmen manning the aircraft.
How effective were B-17 gunners?
The gunners were somewhat effective. The Luftwaffe determined the best way to approach B-17 formations was head on pretty early in the American attacks – BECAUSE the defensive machine gun fire resulted in losses using other approaches. B-17s didn’t have alot of firepower in the nose.
How long did it take to train a B-17 pilot?
On average it took between 18 months to two years (200-320 flying hours). The pathway taken to becoming a pilot also changed during the course of the war. The charts on the right/left highlight the differences between 1941 and 1944. Of course obtaining Pilot’s Wings did not mark the end of training.
What is the state in The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner?
The poem begins with the speaker “[falling] into the State,” and “hunch[ing] in its belly.” In the context of the poem, the State is the bomber itself—with the speaker scrunched up in the ball turret on the underside, or belly, of the aircraft.
Could ball turret gunners get out?
No. They were able to turn and move in many directions but were fixed to the aircraft. Andy Rooney wrote a story about a man stuck in a jammed ball turret on a B 17 with shot up landing gear that would not go down. That young man lost his life when the plane bellied in.
How many guns does a B-17 have?
Technical Specifications
| First flight | July 28, 1935 (prototype) |
|---|---|
| Ceiling | 35,600 feet |
| Power | Four 1,200-horsepower Wright R-1820-97 engines |
| Accommodation | 2 pilots, bombardier, navigator, radio-operator, 5 gunners |
| Armament | 11 to 13 machine guns, 9,600-pound bomb load |
What tank has the longest service life?
The T-10 is one of the longest lasting tank designs in the world. Adopted in 1953, the tank served for over 40 years before finally being decommissioned in 1997. Along the way, the design underwent several revisions to keep it modern, from the T-10A to the ultimate variant, the T-10M.
What is the oldest tank still in service?
Centurion (tank)
| Centurion | |
|---|---|
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1946–present (derivatives still in service) |
What is the most survivable tank?
The Jagdtiger was well armored having anywhere from 100mm to 250mm thick on the front. The large interior of the vehicle also allowed for good spacing of the crew. The combination of these two factors make this tank the most survivable tank in WWII.
Did Lancaster bombers have toilets?
During World War 2, large bomber aircraft, such as the American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the British Avro Lancaster, carried chemical toilets (basically a bucket with seat and cover, see bucket toilet); in British use, they were called “Elsans” after the company that manufactured them.
Which was better b24 or Lancaster?
Offensive Armament
Being able to get to the target is meaningless unless a bomber can carry enough bombs to do damage there. While the B-24 had a better capacity than its competitor, the Lancaster far outshone them both. At maximum bomb load, the B-24 could carry 8000 lbs of ordinance, split between the two bomb bays.