[ 457th Bomb Group Message Board ]
Posted by Art Vaughan 2. Presuming the main runway was usually used, was normal take off & landing east to west (29) or the reverse (10)? 2. In regard to hardstands, did the same planes normally use the same hardstand day after day? 3. Were the hardstands marked and if so, where? 4. How were the planes moved to the runway before a mission and returned to the hardstands after? Was there someone who guided the pilot or was he just supposed to watch the other planes and know where to go? Art
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Posted by Alan Morton I know nothing about you or what prompts you to ask about the runways or the hard-stands. What amazes me is why your questions haven't at least been answered by one of the former Pilots that went through this ritual every time we taxied out, took off and landed as we headed out and returned after every mission. Actually, it reminds me so much of the current traffic congestion in the morning and returning home 24-7 on the Los Angeles freeways... sans bombs. I hope some 457th BG B-17 pilot will see your comments and answer your questions. Something else amazes me ... initially Hap's 457th BG website dealt almost totally with the trials and tribulations encountered by the various flight crews flying combat missions and targets in 1944 and 1945. In the past year, Hap has included narrative and pictorial coverage of the entire ground support system that supported the flight crews, plus a POW matrix par excellence. Come on 457th BG Glatton Air Base old timers ... help answer Art's posted questions. And also, his posted message: B-17 GP/HE bombs and fins - Art Vaughan 3/18/2007, 3:23 pm Cheers, Alan
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Posted by Art Vaughan |
