"Air America B-17 Missions over China" Topic
9 Posts
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| Kaoschallenged | 27 Oct 2012 7:01 p.m. PST |
While looking for information on the Chinese Civil War I came upon this site with information about aircraft used by Air America and the Khmer Air Force,
link
What I found very interesting was that Air America used B-17s
with at least 3 being shot down by PLAAF MiG-17s or AA fire. "Their activities included airborne intelligence flights over mainland China
as well as dropping agents, using aircraft and crews of Civil Air Transport. In 1952, the CIA
also trained 5 Taiwanese pilots and 2 mechanics in Japan in low-level flights and drop
techniques, and in 1953, this new "Special Mission Team" or "Special Operations Unit" was
supplied with 2 B-17s on loan from Western Enterprises – with more to follow.3 Between
1954 and 1959, 3 of these B-17s are known to have been shot down by the People's
Liberation Army:
- one over Fujian on 26 May 54 by anti-aircraft artillery, killing 4 crew members
- one in Jiangxi on 22 June 56 by a PLA MIG-17, killing 11 people aboard
- "835" of the 34th Squadron over Guandong on 29 May 59 by a PLA MIG-17PF,
killing 14 people aboard."
PDF link
Robert |
| Legion 4 | 28 Oct 2012 10:32 a.m. PST |
That is interesting … B-17s still in action well after WWII … |
| Kaoschallenged | 28 Oct 2012 12:42 p.m. PST |
I was surprised too. And that the one B-17 mentioned being sent to McMinnville is here where I live  . Robert |
| Legion 4 | 28 Oct 2012 2:40 p.m. PST |
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| Kaoschallenged | 28 Oct 2012 2:58 p.m. PST |
LOL. I wondered how it was doing.Especially since it is here in the Museum. N809Z "On 6 March 79, it was re-registered as
N207EV.16 The aircraft was current with Evergreen at least until 1992, when it waswithdrawn from use and stored. At that time it was registered to Evergreen Ventures Inc, who
transferred it to Evergreen Vintage Aircraft Inc., McMinnville, OR, on 29 March 99 and reregistered
it on 21 April 99; it was still current with them in March 2004." I have yet to go and see her though. Here is more of her history and photos,
link Robert |
| Kaoschallenged | 31 Oct 2012 7:56 p.m. PST |
I'm sorta surprised that they picked and used the B-17. I have seen and heard B-17s flying overhead and was amazed at the amount of noise the 4 engines made. Not exactly covert IMO. Robert |
Lion in the Stars  | 31 Oct 2012 10:35 p.m. PST |
Yes, but they sound a lot like a DC3 or other multi-engine transport bird. Covert is a relative term. |
| Kaoschallenged | 31 Oct 2012 11:42 p.m. PST |
I have heard both as they have flown over here a few times and there is definitely a difference in sound. 2 vs 4 engines you know. Robert |
| Kaoschallenged | 02 Nov 2012 4:36 p.m. PST |
4 1,200-horsepower Wright Cyclone Model R-1820-97 engines vs 2
Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3-G Twin Wasp. Robert |
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