hypermiling circa 1943-44

[user removed]

This is Pop, 91 years old. He hypermiled a B17 to conserve his fuel, in case he had some holes in the fuel tanks from enemy aircraft and flack. Had lunch with him and Mom today. They were married in 1946 and still doing great.


VIDEO: Poquoson veteran was B-17 pilot -- dailypress.com

regards
Mech

[slowmover]

Too cool. I forget that the majority of Americans are too young to even "remember" carburetors on cars [as to tuning them].

My Dad and FIL were WWII pilots. Both flew civilian later. Dad had a few Bonanza's . . listening to a mini-lecture on "best lean roll" early in life was instructive. And I still use an oil/fuel additive designed to control oil consumption in those big sloppy radial engines (as it was also effective in two-stroke diesels and lived on in the oilfield after USAF transitioned away from radials circa 1970). Both are gone, so I enjoyed your addition to EM today on their behalf.

[ron]

good too see POP an original Flyboy. brings back memories , My mother worked for Convair in San Diego ca. she was the only one small enough to enter the fuel tanks and apply the sealant (by Brush) so that bullet holes would self seal in the 17s and 24s.