h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I don't remember any gas problems during any of the airplane flights I've taken. And why apple strudel in particular?

Paulh you would not you were sitting in a pressurized cabin, these guys only had warm clothing and an oxygen mask.

I posted a more detailed reply here Paulh https://h2g2.com/entry/A87907404/conversation/view/F22153734/T8319496

I posted this once but its lost in the system appologes for post 2


This an interesting article but the simple illustration is even more fascinating.

That artist was drawing from life the B-17 interior is precise even the proportions of the gunner's window and there would have been 2 gunners in the waist of the plane working back to back.

But its the attacking fighters that are the most interesting.This artist must have been there, first the attackers, they are all of the same types, I believe they are 3 Zero AM6, the tilt of the wings and the wheels are set close to the front edge of the wings and close to the fuselage.

That indicates the action illustrated took place over Japanese occupied territory possibly the Pacific, at low altitude as the gunner is not wearing his oxygen mask! Or his safety harness!

It also tempting to suggest that the B-17 is over water flying to or from a mission, the Zeros are close to home as there are no drop tanks fitted, and they possibly are the local air defense force.

The only fighter that is relatively common and similar to the zero, is the German Fokker Wolf who had the same shaped engine cowl, but the wings on the aircraft in the drawing are set at the wrong angle.

It might be interesting if the publisher mentioned a location, but after all, this is only a safety advertisement.

B-17 Rear gunner was a very dangerous job, given to young men, remember them with pride and honor America.

You do publish some very interesting articles, make an article of this if you want to ask for comments, there is always someone out there who knows a bit more.
Comments welcome.

Thanks for the comments, Bob. I agree - that illustrator knew his subject!

I'm thinking the references to 'strudel' and 'Egg Foo Yung' (a Chinese American dish) might be to indicate both theatres of war, but I'm just guessing.

It's true that they were up there at high altitudes in unpressurised planes. The flying gear they wore was designed to keep out the cold, and they used oxygen masks above a certain altitude.

Here's a song about the B-17 Flying Fortress:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOKODvk1AgA

I've climbed around in a few of them, and besides being dangerous, those long flights would have been extremely uncomfortable.

Of minor interest may be the question of toilets. Officially, they're claiming they had chemical ones, but I've read hundreds of accounts over the years that claimed they didn't. These eyewitness comments may shed some light on the subject:

http://www.91stbombgroup.com/91history.html

Dmitri, your level of knowledge on myriad subjects leaves me gobsmacked.

Bob, I had no idea how easy I have it with pressurized cabins. Thanks for the heads up. Yes, it makes sense that the strudel might be code for bombing germany.

Or not.

The little that I know about bombs and bombers comes from "Catch 22" and "Dark Star." Given the provenance I would be a total disaster were I in a bomber.

However, as Woody Allen used to say, in the event of war I'm a hostage.