German Pilots and captured Allied Aircraft query

[John Beaman]

Originally Posted by George Hopp

Heinz Knoke (JG 1/11) liked the B-24 because it caught fire more easily than the B-17.

Hi George:

One reason the B-24 caught fire more easily than the B-17 was the incredibly complex, fuel transfer system between tanks. This resulted in most a/c having a lot of gasoline (petrol) fumes in the bomb bay and other areas. Fume and hot bullets do not mix!

[George Hopp]

Thank you both, Kevin and John, for your excellent comments. I know it wasn't a comment on the flying of the a/c, but it was a comment of how at least one German pilot perceived one American a/c.

And, yes, until the B-24 got servo tabs on the ailerons, the pilots of a B-24 were always easily spotted because they had arms like Arnie Schwarzenegger to move those ailerons, because the Davis wing was so very stable. And, a good reason for the B-24 combat formations being looser.

[Kapper]

Hi all,

I've just read Gunther Rall's book "MyLogbook". He states that in late 1944 while commander of the Unit Leaders school, the unit was co-located with "Zirkus Rosarius" that flies exclusively captured allied aircraft. He got to fly the P-51, P-47, P-38 and Spitfire making a few interesting comments and comparisons to German Aircraft (page 214-215).

He described it as a visit to Aladin's cave, It's worth a read.

Regards,

Craig...