PFF B17's How were they chosen ?

[Graham Boak]

Aircraft ordered by, and paid for by, the British Government were fitted out to the required standards. These may have lacked some equipment, but I suspect this would have to be investigated on an individual basis. The majority of aircraft supplied were under Lend-lease, so the standard was officially exactly that of any US aircraft. In this case differences were generally little more than a coat of paint, if that. US aircraft were fitted/modified to British requirements by partner companies in the UK, acting in a similar manner to the BADs.

I suspect that there may have been some detail compromises to these principles, but can't quote any. I do wonder about seat belts, for example.

It might be interesting to study the Liberators, which I believe passed through a US modification centre before going to the UK. Many, but possibly not all the bombers at least, then were worked on at Scottish Aviation. I shall have to dig out the recent Air Britain book to confirm, but I recall an example of a Coastal Command unit in West Africa being established with aircraft that did not pass through SA.

However, in case of possible confusion, Alex means USAAF PFF aircraft. The RAF PFF did not operate B-17s.