Taking Flak

[cyberia]

A B-17 falls after flak blew off a large portion of wing






Amazingly, this B-17 made it back after flak blew a huge hole in the fuselage

[cyberia]

A section of wing shears away on a B-24 after a flak hit on an engine

A flak hit seriously mangled the nose of this B-17

[cyberia]

Flak hit on a B-17 that blew a hole clear through the fuselage

[cyberia]

A flak hit knocks an engine loose from a B-24 Martin

[Geek44]

The pic with the engine falling off is a B-26 mate. A Martin Marauder. Called 'The Flying Prostitute' by its crews because it had 'no visible means of support'. Its wing was small for the aircraft making it harder to fly. It had high landing speeds and killed many trainees. The other quote surrounding this aircraft was 'One per day in the Bay' meaning that many crashed. It was a real hot-rod though with high performance and was so efficient, it had the lowest loss rate of any US bomber type.
The B-17 was able to sustain more damage than the B-24. In fact, the B-24 was considered quite fragile compared. It's great advantage was its range due to its highly advanced wing, narrow and deep. This aircraft was able to fly from England clear across Europe to land in Africa or Russia. Quite a feat for its time. Compare the wing plan of the B-24 to modern commercial aircraft.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Geek44

The pic with the engine falling off is a B-26 mate. A Martin Marauder. Called 'The Flying Prostitute' by its crews because it had 'no visible means of support'. Its wing was small for the aircraft making it harder to fly. It had high landing speeds and killed many trainees. The other quote surrounding this aircraft was 'One per day in the Bay' meaning that many crashed. It was a real hot-rod though with high performance and was so efficient, it had the lowest loss rate of any US bomber type.
The B-17 was able to sustain more damage than the B-24. In fact, the B-24 was considered quite fragile compared. It's great advantage was its range due to its highly advanced wing, narrow and deep. This aircraft was able to fly from England clear across Europe to land in Africa or Russia. Quite a feat for its time. Compare the wing plan of the B-24 to modern commercial aircraft.

I stand corrected on the Martin and am rolling on the floor due to explanation of the nickname. Thanks Nick!

[Jim O]

It was also called "The Baltimore Whore" for the same reason. The Martin Company was headquartered in Baltimore.

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by Jim O

It was also called "The Baltimore Whore" for the same reason. The Martin Company was headquartered in Baltimore.

Is there a bay near Baltimore?

[salinator]

Originally Posted by Geek44

Is there a bay near Baltimore?

Chesapeake Bay

[Geek44]

That could be the one referred to. Thanks Sal.