Flight Control-Observer in B-17
 

Hello,
what was the job for the Flight Control-Observer in the B-17G TG-Positon?
Was this an NCO or Officer job?
Thanks!
hans

Re: Flight Control-Observer in B-17
 

Possibly? this was a lead ship where an experienced crew was used in the lead ship and the officer leading the flight was probably in the co-pilot's seat. The regular pilot stayed in his normal left hand seat. Then the regular co-pilot was put in the tail gunner's position, so he could observe the formation following the lead ship and could report to the officer leading the flight. In that position he was probably considered as the "Flight control-Observer". He probably was not a trained gunner. Often there would have also been an extra navigator, for example.

Re: Flight Control-Observer in B-17
 

Hans,

I think the text in following link may pretty well answer your question in detail: http://www.303rdbg.com/sop-observer.html

Grüss,
Leendert