MovieChat Forums > Fortress (2012) Discussion > 'We lost hydraulics in one engine'

'We lost hydraulics in one engine'


MISTAKE. The variant they are flying is the B-17F, and early version of the -G. The -G is distinguishable because of its nose turret, which this one did not have. It was slightly more advanced than the -F. It had all the major improvements the plane ever received, therefore, the B-17F DID NOT have hydraulics in the engines. The only hydraulics on the B-17G were the cowl flaps and brakes. All else was electric, with several exceptions...SOME chin turrets had hydraulic gun chargers, along with the Sperry gun Turrets, both top and bottom, were hydraulically actuated by an electric 28V DC double ended motor, that drove the self-contained hydraulic Vickers (two) wobble pumps..one for elevation and the other for traversing....a wobble pump rotor rotates and is at an angle so that the several cylinders in turn pushed in/out and thus create pressure.

My father was a copilot on a B-17G, 44-6465- the Fancy Nancy, accomplishing 36 missions in '44 and '45.

So that's just a minor mistake (but it stood out to me), but overall, considering it has a smaller budget than most Hollyweird WW2 plane movies, it was enjoyable.

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The closed caps are incorrect. He said, "We lost hydraulics AND one engine". They went on to discuss cranking the landing gear down because of the loss of hydraulics. The rest of your message is just boring BS. You do know that, don't you?

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The landing gear on a B-17 were operated Electrically not hydraulically. One of the main reasons the 17 could take so much damage and still function was a lack of hydraulic systems.

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The CC on this movie was so far off it was almost funny. What am I saying? It WAS funny! Like when they had an engine overheat so they opened the "cow flaps".

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Well, I enjoyed the detail on the B 17 that you provided. (But I also like to watch the old birds start up on You Tube.) Would love to hear some thoughts from "those in the know" about: the amount of ammo and the constant firing of the tail guns, looping a B-17, and out climbing a ME 109 in a P 40. In spite of some flaws, the CG was entertaining. This movie is kinda like science fiction movies--WW2 flying movies are so rare that you eagerly take what is offered and enjoy! My father flew a P 47 in the war. He was KIA.

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Hey Dutchusc,

I found your post quite interesting, and I certainly respect your father's service. I had two uncles and a brother-in-law who all served as infantrymen in the war in Europe. I expect you must have the same admiration for your father as I do for my relatives.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile


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Yea, whoever researched this POS, failed miserably ..German fighter pilots flying INTO their own AA fire?? Stupid. And the oh-so-tiresome grumpy Italian stereotype....." Do I look like leutenant Soandso....?" And being pissed off that the plane wasn't back from repair......!?!! " oh, we didn't get killed that last mission, we have a 95% chance of getting killed, so, let's be quick about it!!" Bunch of BS,

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Yeah, it's not a documentary.

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