Bombing Mission
The Captain's next task is to assemble in formation with other planes of the squadron, as stipulated by orders. A radio compass is used that works with short range radio beacons in selected locations. A morse call sign (called a Buncher signal) is transmitted and the plane receives it via a small loop aerial loceted under the nose section. Lead aircraft fire different cloured flares at 10,000 feet to give a visual check for other pilots. Squadrons have to be built into Groups, Groups into Wings and Combat Wings into Divisional Columns. The whole process is very slow because everyone has to keep up with everyone else. Above 10,000 feet the crew are told to go to oxygen. The heating should already be operational. The two waist gunners have electrically heated flying suits under their sheepskins but the rest of the crew have warm air ducts that channel heat to their sections. the ball turret gunner is the last to get into position. The turret ist very cramped and always assigned to someone who is of small built. He has to spend about 5 miles below him, withoout the comfort of a parachute. If something happened to the B-17 it would take him, with help, about a minute to get out and get his parachute on; a minute in a crashing B-17 is an extremely long time.
At 13,000 feet, the aircraft climbs at 200 feet per minute. Above 19,000 feet, the ball turret gunner reports contrails; gases from the hot engine exhaust meeting the frozen air in areas of high humidity producing condensation trails. the formation levels off at 21,000 feet. The Navigator, even though they are travelling in formation, keeps an accurate track of their position using hie "GEE" box. The guns are loaded and test fired about 30 miles off the English coast, at the same time the arming pins are removed from the 10 bombs in the bay. The Captain looks at the Airspeed Idicator which registers 150mph but knows is not the true airspeed (about 206mph). Working on atmospheric pressure the AI reading declines with increased altitude.