Trailrider #896 Posted December 15, 2024 Posted December 15, 2024 As far as the B-26 was concerned, the approach speed was placarded way too low. Plus they needed to add several feet to the wingspan. The best thing was to ask Jacki Cochran how to fly the "widowmaker". That's what Hap Arnold did. 1 Quote
Subdeacon Joe Posted December 15, 2024 Author Posted December 15, 2024 1 hour ago, Trailrider #896 said: The best thing was to ask Jacki Cochran how to fly the "widowmaker". That's what Hap Arnold did. That was more of of a psychological operation than training. And it was the 2nd time he used her for that kind of thing. The first time was her proposal to set up the Women's Airforce Service Pilots when she found out that men were hesitant to fly Lend-Lease bombers to England. "If a woman can do it ... " Same thing with the B-26. It got the reputation of being a widow maker and men didn't want to fly it. Well, heck! Get Jackie trained up on it and have her give demonstrations across the country. (snort, scratch groin) "Heck fahr! Iffen a little bitty woman kin fly it it's gotta be a piece of cake for a real man to fly!" And somewhat the same with the B-29. The problems with the engines overheating and catching fire had the men not wanting to fly them. In comes Jackie and some other WASPs and after a few flights in which women were able to deal with overheating problems the men couldn't admit that they couldn't deal with it. 1 Quote
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted December 15, 2024 Posted December 15, 2024 It was Jimmy Doolittle who worked out the B-26 issues. He was a helluva problem solver/test pilot/engineer. His autobiography is a great read. https://www.amazon.com/Could-Never-Be-Lucky-Again/dp/0553584642/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=66969385839&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JV6EKDfT7xCaNry2JSrn8NZWyfaqhRAYAtsVi073UWmAdCKkKFU4z3oGnz58-GXzNRGNddgRerlPEg31ZxugBChU2ogWw0AZFBQKQkgiZfemg_3QFZ7KjiJmMZGne_N94gA43ZND9vEtbWXBtz8HNItw82SmB7bsCn2xVD08Sh4Y5iC48erQA1yexbCttWm9.V3y8xlbx-hcYak8giAKBSbPlwKC_KlsfUdUHbNULdNc&dib_tag=se&hvadid=337663121027&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9022860&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5008715496683210114&hvtargid=kwd-337878816230&hydadcr=22404_10176493&keywords=jimmy+doolittle+autobiography&qid=1734287969&sr=8-1 2 Quote
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