How To Start The B-17 Engine
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- čas přidán 6. 04. 2010
- The B-17 engine starter was a inertia starter. The starter motor spun a heavy flywheel inside the starter.It took up 15 seconds for flywheel build up enough speed to turn the engine. When the co-pilot hit the mesh switch, that's when the flywheel engaged the engine starter gear.
A hand crank could be inserted into the starter and the flywheel could be brought to speed by hand to start the engine when the batteries were low and with no external power available.
Capt. Arthur Kennedy who plays the instructor in this film, was a actor on Broadway and in movies before joining the AAF. After leaving the Military, he remained in show business until his death in 1990. I don't know if he ever was a AAF Pilot.
That fuel quantity gauge is a piece of art!
Internet is great. I've had a B-17 sitting in my garage for 70 years, and now I finally know how to start her!
Cool! Let me know when you're ready, and I'll come over and be your right seat!
lmao
Pics or it didn't happen.
Better hurry up, the Luftwaffe is on its way.
4:13 Ahh no wonder my B-17 isn't starting. I wasn't pulling the #1 Mixture Control back when the engine fires. Thanks a ton for the helpful video!
We can only wish. I did have a friend of mine in Atlanta who owned a B-24. He lived in an airport resort, but said the neighbors hated, as in hated, it, when he started up the engines. They were used to the single engine personal planes, and here he goes starting up a bomber!
Come on, this war ain't going to win itself.
My late father flew B-17 during WWII on missions into occupied France, and Germany. He had nothing but positive things to say about it's flying characteristics. The flying characteristics were so good, and the airframe so tough, that it was decided to attach a thermite device the the Norden bomb sight to ensure that it was destroyed if the crew bailed out. The Germans had a couple of B-17s in their possession that crash landed in one piece. So ... if the crew had to bail out, the aircraft commander went last after he pulled the pin on the timer for the thermite device. I don't think the Germans ever got their hands on a functioning Norden bomb site. Essentially it was a mechanical/optical computer for calculating the offset required to hit their target.
Actually they did, and they were not impressed. The Norden was infamously overcomplicated and never delivered the promised accuracy.
This is great! Every once in a while I forget how to start my B-17, and I kept thinking. "I wish there was an easy, readily available source to remind me how to start my B-17". And now there is! Thanks! All kidding aside, this really is fascinating. Thank you for posting this.
Ours has been up on blocks out back for 8 years, no one could remember how to start the damn thing.
Happens to all of us I was trying to get my PzKpfw V Ausf. D started and couldn't until I found a guide. Thanks CZcams!
I can't believe how this complex beast could stay airborne after being shot full of holes. Incredible.
Because believe it or not, it’s not as complex as you might imagine! And because it has multiple engines, control surfaces and crew in the event half of that gets destroyed it can still make it home like that 😁
My Father was an Arial Engineer for B-17's during WWII. Back then the Air Force was called the Army Air Corps. He had lots of great stories about his time in service and the wonderful people who he served with. He logged so many hours in the Flying Fortress teaching the "Boys" to fly that later in life he never wanted to fly unless he had to, said he had used up all his luck. Oh how he loved those planes!
It wasn't called the Army Air Corps in WW2, that's a popular misconception.
In June of 1941, a full 6 months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, it's name was changed from the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), it spent the entirety of WW2 with that name and up until September of 1947 when it became it's own branch of the military called the United States Air Force (USAF).
It's amazing that just 50 years before this, people were still riding around in horse drawn buggies and human flight was just a fantasy. Aside from the horrors of WWI and WWII it would have been an incredible time to be alive. My grandfather was a tail gunner on B-17's over Europe. Thankfully he made it home!
My Great Grandpa was a FC Private in the Army as an anti-aircraft gunner.
Shawn; as I understand it, the two positions on the B-17 that had the highest death rate were the belly turret and the tail gun. Salute to your Granddad. What's really interesting, if not a little disconcerting, is that if it hadn't been for the wars in the last century we wouldn't be enjoying much of the technology we have today; aviation, communications, even food preservation. We tend to place more importance on winning wars than anything else we can do, and having the technological upper hand helps to win those wars.
If it weren't for the wars there wouldn't be much incentive to develop modern technology, (sad to say). Since WWII modern technology and knowledge has exploded.
Fast forward 73 years and the average graduate of public education, can't count change back at Burger King....
@@3DPDK Or the freedoms we enjoy. Let us never allow anyone to take them away lest all their sacrifices will be in vain!
Great Video. My Dad flew 50 combat sorties in B-17s out of Foggia, Italy in MTO Jan to June 1944. A few years ago, I had the privilege of flying in Collings Foundation's B-17 "909". One of the most memorable experiences in my 58 years. Thanks for this post.
My Grandfather flew out of Foggia as well. Sterparone Airfield. "BGASBRD" was their ship. B-17G. Great video!
Cool. God Bless Him...
While I didn't fly in it, I've been inside 909, too.
My father was also flying in and around Foggia as a B-17 radio gunner. He was just a kid and I don't know many people today that have taken on such responsibilities at such a young age. It was the pattern of his life, forged in the fires of necessity, he lived with commitment and loyalty.
As my mother developed Alzheimers, he applied that same commitment to her care until his heart just stopped.
RIP CMSgt Donald B Carrick. I had no idea how hard it was until I tried to fill his shoes.
Thanks I have been trying to start my bomber all morning, was almost late for work
that's a good one!!!
You must be rich
I just happened across this video, and your comment , and nearly fell out of my chair laughing! that comment made my day!
I'm having trouble finding the 2-stroke-cycle DC genny to get mine going.
OMG I just pee'd myself! Thanks buddy! That was too funny!
The Greatest Generation literally saved the world. Thank you all for your service.
They sadly didnt know they fought on the wrong side.
Today's generation can kick on an X-Box like a Pro..
No they didn’t.
They sat on their asses for two and a half years. Then they helped Joe Stalin put half of Europe under brutal occupation for four and a half decades.
Yep, they saved America from being invaded by the Germans 😆
@@svenbertil5036 mad wank
About four years ago I had the amazing opportunity to fly on the B17 Aluminum Overcast. One of the top three best moments of my life...look them up. They do tours across the US every summer and a half hour flight costs about 400 bucks...a deal at ten times the price! When u taxi to the end of the runway and they rev the engines for takeoff, the whole plane shakes, you can smell the engines, and suddenly there's nothing more beautiful than the experience. Riding in the nose and looking thru the bombsite is nothing short of a religious experience!
Two summers ago it was flying around Philly. I heard that beautiful rumble of those radial engines and tore through the house to go out and see it. Surprised my son who left his video game to see what I ran out for. Had to explain that that sound was unique to those engines.
Damn I gotta get on that thing and watch how they start her up, That’s my dream Job right there, flying a B-17 with passengers on so they can enjoy the experience nearly as much as I would.
I also got to fly on Aluminum Overcast back in 2015. One of the best moments of my life! I have a new appreciation for the boys who flew those beautiful warbirds over Europe. The video I took of that flight is on my page if you're interested in viewing it.
I had a flight in the 9-0-9 a couple years ago. absolutely fantastic and worth every penny. I'd do it again without hesitation.
I flew in the Aluminum Overcast in 2000. Amazing experience.
These Gentlemen are just simply Amazing and we owe our lives today to the thousands of men, just like them who made a stand. Thanks Guys for my freedom.
Stephen Smith : when for your freedom you find,
"Thank-a-vet to be true,
That you cherish, enjoy and share that freefom _ the vet thanks you.
.....U.S. American Veteran Soldier...
..............Thank You...........
@@jamescrane6908 Thank you James 👍💯
Almost certain that Instructor was Actor Authur Kennedy (1914-1990) Kennedy was in the Military during WW2 so he probably knew about how to fly a B17. My Dad was a B17 Mechanic over in England during WW2. He loved that Plane and told me and my brother numerous stories about how bad they came back from Bombing Missions, all shot to pieces but still making it back home. He said a couple made it back flying on only one engine and hardly looking like a Bomber any longer. I still have a Mechanic's Manual he brought home from the War after 1945. Not many of these Old Bombers still around. Usually have to attend an Air Fair / Show to ever see one. Probably paid a big part in helping win the war in Europe. Didn't know they were that complicated to start ...
it reminds me of starting 4 old lawn mowers, but a little more complicated. Thanks to your dad for his service and sacrifice.
+steve matz Recognized Kennedy right away.
I had an uncle who flew a B-17 named "Beautiful Bitch" over Germany during WW2. Just like your Dad, he told me many stories about the sad shape these planes were in when returning to England. Another uncle was a SeaBee in the Pacific theater.
@steve matz
"Probably paid a big part in helping win the war in Europe."
Your father certainly did. Those engineers worked their backsides off and deserve recognition for a dirty and dangerous job.
In fact not only is that Arthur Kennedy but this was made by the Film Services Unit nominally under Lt. Col Jack L. Warner (an Reserve Commission along with other Studio heads) and in reality produced by Cpt. Ronald Reagan. Probably March Field, CA.
Glad to see these pieces of our history are just not being preserved but readily available. Thanks so much for posting.
This is why they were true Aviators...
This was interesting to me because for years the Memphis Belle sat on display at the fairgrounds here in Memphis and as a kid I used to marvel at it. A better display home was later created for it down near the river, but it slipped into further disrepair, so was eventually sent to an aviation museum in Ohio. These planes were amazing, and could be shot up pretty good and still get their crews home.
I remember Arthur Kennedy, he was in a lot of great movies.
When I was in A&P school in 1985 we had an R-985 radial engine in a test cell. I loved running that beast. You needed three hands to start it, one for the inertial starter, one for the mag switch and another for the primer pump. Even though it spewed smoke and oil when it lit off, that thing made serious power. The sound has to be experienced in person, you can feel it as well as hear it. Nothing like it.
I was at East Coast Aero Tech getting my A&P in 1985. What school did you attend?
@@godofplumbing Spartan in Tulsa, seems like a lifetime ago.
@@daveb7663 I know, time is flying by.
Thank you so very much for your reply. The information is helpful. I had a distant cousin who was a flight engineer/top turret gunner,. He is with God, and I miss him a lot. Be safe, my friend, and thank you for your service.
You can't imagine how happy the folks were to see your Dad!
Sweet, my Dad had friends who dropped food over Holland, he would loved doing that after dropping tons of ordinance. His friends told him that they wrote out Thank You in big letters with picked tulips in the drop zone. My Cousin's maternal Uncle was a Canadian soldier in Holland. The folks he saw had such malnutrition the babies looked like the skeletal starving babies they show on TV. He wouldn't return when invited 50 years later the memories haunted him so much.
@2:23 You have to manually turn on everything in a B17. Even the air filters.
wow I didnt know just starting it up was so complicated, thanks for the cool historic video !
Coming in from a flight lesson at my small local airport and getting readyto sign out I have to waLk around this very large hanger to get to the parking lot its a bit of a walk when I turn the corner HOLY CRAP did my mouth drop like a brick! I saw that shinny badboy out there relxin was I shocked! As soon as I got home I wanted to search all about this plane but I don't know much, But I have evey respect for the people that supported and are supporting this plane an all others like it thanks
B-17 had been almost refused by the military as a "too complex plane to fly". Look up the fatal crash they had during initial evaluation. High respect to the people of vision who fought to keep the program from cancelling.
Piotr Szafranski The Boeing Model 299 crashed in 1937 because the pilot rushed through the preflight walk around and failed to notice that the flaps were locked in the neutral position.
Huh? Have you seen what it takes to get any of the fighters of the day going? Watch the the startup video for any Double Wasp aircraft. Sheesh.
By 1945 the a1 skyraider could carry 8,000lbs compared to the b 17 at 4500lbs. Amazing.
@@nutsackmania it's amazing what they had to know I guess that's before computer-controlled engines. Just imagining they had to know all that navigate fight fly unbelievable
'To complex plane to fly' ? Then what about the B29? Even a lot more complex and more rutines to make in pre-flight and startup checks ... and listning to pilots from the era flying more than only the B17 .... they all say "she's the most rugged and steady plane"
The instructor is one of my favorite character actors, Arthur Kennedy.
Listen to that music that engine is making! Phew! Sweetest sound ever ! 💞
This guy is the greatest trainer I have ever seen
I think most people assume that starting the engines on these bombers is nothing more then turning the key and hitting the "start" button.
+delavalmilker That would be lovely but I didn't think that.
i did...hahah wow starting the b17 was pretty complicated
That’s how it is on my bomber.
What's so bad about that. It's quite an improvement over the way they do it.
My dad used to work on planes like that!!
I love these instructional films! Thank you!
Man I LOVE stuff like this!!
Ever little bit of WWII stuff fascinates me!
jeff sanders:::: Don't think fear was not involved, they had balls but kept them close.
It's when you except that you may die at any time that kept you slugging it out.
My uncles and Dad never talked at all about the bad stuff only the fun times they had over seas in WWII.
But the Drinking my Uncles did told us different, my dad was always two drinks I'm good.
My uncles would put down a case of beer each when we all went fishing in Michigan.
Holy crap that external power generator is tiny compared to modern generators!
I had to do the same thing to start my old '73 Monte Carlo.
My father was s pilot and when I was growing up seldom a werk went by without hearing a Stearman, Beaver or Beech 18 fire up. Still love the sound of a radial engine, that's what flyong is supposed to sound like.
I have to hand start my 45 IH Farmal tractor. Is fun to work with. Love how the motor sounds.
Absolute brilliance at this time, the knowledge and creation was real like today even back then. Far out
The co-pilot is Arthur Kennedy, a well known Hollywood character actor at the time. Probably fulfilling his WWII service making training films.
That is an engineering marvel, remember almost none of those gauges is electric meaning they had fluid running from all the way from the back to the cockpit. That is just astounding given the technology of the era.
This was a nice surprise catching this unique vid....enjoyed that //
Imaging building one of these planes?. Amazing!!,,,,really amazing.
Awesome video. Thank you for finding it.
Instructions unclear, my cat is now glued to a revolving door.
Next time I see a b17 sitting around, I'm going for a lil flight.
Thanks for uploading, really enjoyed the vid.
26 Volts Right in the button. Good job Mullins checking the inverters!
By the time I'm finished checking all that it's ww3
Well this will come in handy if I ever find myself in a B-17.
What a great video! Thanks!
".....and it's as simple as that. Got it?"
beautiful
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
Omg being and A-10C Thunderbolt II Crew Chief, this whole video sounds so familiar, with the exception of external power connected. I've had to do Engines runs and the process is so similar. Battery on, Inverter on, APU start on....check your gauges, A/C generators on, #1 Engine ignite the idle after ITT and gauges are settled, check left hydraulic pressure to 3000, primary flight control check, #2 Engine ignite then idle after ITT and gauges settle, right hydraulic pressure to 3000, so on.. etc
The Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is about 15 miles south of me. They offer rides for a price in a B-17 and their flight path often comes over our house. I can hear those radial engines and can instantly recognize them. Amazing to see the procedure necessary to start those engines.
absolutely fascinating!
Glad I caught this. You never know when you need to start a B17
I saw on TV show 12 o clock high the term "Mesh-1". Looks like they got it correct.
Tom L. I saw that
Sounds like Arthur Kennedy was a B-17 Pilot in WW2, he certainly knows his stuff.
Dad was a command pilot out of Foggia, Italy at 17 years of age. He did not learn to drive a car until 1945 on his return to the “ good ol’” USA. 56 missions and never lost a crewman.
Actor Arthur Kennedy is the instructor. Was cast of many films including "A Summer Place" with Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue.
Boing's obssesion with number 7 is legendary
it's finally nice to put a face to that epic old ass narrator's voice.
Now I know why it takes so long for Ryanair to take off
Almost 81,000 views.
Internet...an enigma, wrapped in a riddle
ah sir we lost the war while you were explaining everything !
So simple! I wish there were a few more steps.
And this is a short one. There was another video a few years ago, which continued the instruction after airborne, and there were like 200 more steps, all of which had to be done in precise order. Makes you wonder if the young pilots of today appreciate how outrageously simplified the mechanics of current aircraft are.
"Yeah, ya' mug! Switch on dat inverter, see?"
this helped me start up my A2A B-17
Holy smokes that's a lot to keep track of.
Love all round engines!!
Induction, turbocharger s complex system...so you had to know what your doing.
I hear on the B 29 left,they leave superchargers off to save on maintenance.
Good idea.love to wrench on them on the weekends...most relaxing....any round engine for that matter
It’s easy to forget how dangerous the bomber’s mission was. Most of these guys didn’t make it through their 25 missions. Of corse they would never tell you that in a training film.
I would be so lost trying to remember how to do this. Id be yelling HELP!😂😂😂
I got a ride on the only B-24(D) still operating. Her name is "Witchcraft" She is sponsored by the Collings Foundation as a flying tribute and museum dedicated to servicemen in WWII. It has four Turbo-supercharged Twin Wasp 1830ci 14 cylinder(tandem 7's) Pratt and Whitney's, each rated at just over 1200 hp. Ten passengers, three crewmen went on the flight and we were able to walk the entire ship (sans cockpit) during flight that lasted about 45 min. We even had to all line up before takeoff and "walk the props through". Gross takeoff was rated at 85,000 pounds. We maybe weighed 50,000 pounds. We shot up into the sky like a Christian Eagle bungee corded to a Pitts Special.. Never ever forget it. $400 bargain of a lifetime.
While I didn't fly in it, I have been inside it.
Awesome! Starts like my 1974 Triumph TR-6---The B17 is a bit cooler though! I gotta ask Santa for one!
Cool, inverters , not too much limelight on those things till todays world. These guys had them.in the 40s
I just wanted to thank you so very much. Dad was a pilot and flew out of England. He never talked much about it. He was always my hero. Where in the world did you find this movie and is there more to it?
And that's how I start my Honda Civic
It only takes you that long?
Andres Mendez And Your Girl too.
I was thinking that for my accord. Test the battery, open the door. It's dinging, we may make it somewhere today. Slap the starter with the starter hammer. Now turn the key, ok... now everyone pray.
*rainbow check engine light*
me too...
Now if i ever accidentally go back in time and need to be able to fly a B-17 to return to the future, i'll be fine!!!
Now being followed to start up the Memphis Belle!
Very interesting!
Great historical video - I live near CAF Airbase Arizona (Mesa), and have watched them firing up Sentimental Journey’s engines (B-17G, of course!) at a distance, but always wondered about the complete procedure. Thanks! 🇺🇸
Believe it or not, the fire-up procedure on a P-51 is almost as complicated as this, despite the fact that you are dealing with only one engine.
Love the B17's and other WW2 aircraft!!
Good info, esp on the actor
Respect!!
I think these guys were able to keep these things flying through hell due to the fact that everything had to work manually so they had more control of the plane in a way... by pieces.
Imagine going through all this if you were under attack.They must have had it down to a fine art
They attacked. They did not scramble when they were attacked.
Perhaps he's the crew chief. If you can find it catch Arthur Kennedy (the instructor) in the film "Air Force"
Turn on the inverter, watch the levels, bake a cake, read newspaper. Turn on the plane.
Easy!
Just make sure the fuel pressure is good before take off... or the whole thing is a bust and I’ll have to bake another cake.
pump the primer line? sound like starting the old lawnmower. lol
Informative video 👍🇱🇷❗
It's a beautiful to see that i love it.
Ozzie and Harriet start a B-17!
Depois desta aula já consigo pilotar qualquer B-17 lol
unbelievable!
i have a thick book about the luftwaffe. it says that the luftwaffe fighter pilots in france (2 geschwader at that time. one with FW 190, one with ME-109) were very confident and experiensed but as they faced the first B-17 raids in france in late 1942 they were scared of the B-17. many fired too early because they couldnt belive the sheer size of the B-17. luftwaffe analysis said that the german fighters were not able to shoot down B-17's in great numbers with the 20mm armament. that led to the rapid development of the 30mm MK-108 rheinmetall canon which improved the situation.
Very cool...
Rotary inverters!, I remember my Dad had a few of those, from a Liberator. He also had the radio set.
Still using them in Convair 580s today.
Jesus!!!! That’s a long and complicated check list!!!!! Wow!
Great video and blurb. Id really like to watch someone hand crank a B17.
Was interesting to see the pilot (though he was in the starboard seat) having to prime each engine manually. A hole in that system by flax may of being troublesome
Instructor pilots are fairly regularly in the right hand side. Let’s the new pilot especially an upgrade candidate...Captain or Aircraft Commander military. Gets them familiar with the view, seating position, switches and instruments location and develop a flow for orderly efficient method of getting aircraft ready for flight. Also let’s them get to know the major switches by muscle memory in the event of a emergency.
@@stephencannon3140 Thanks, thats good info. I wonder why the pilot seat is always on the port side but i suppose there is a reason for that, perhaps due to starting number 1 engine out that side first
The captain giving the instruction in start up,and takeoff is an actor who has stared
in some great war movies of the early,and late forties. He was in "AIR FORCE", the
story of the Maryann and her crew with John Garfield,and Harry Carry Sr.