Most people don't know that the B-17 used a Flight Engineer to provide the pilot requested power setting, & operate the systems of the Aircraft while the Pilot was busy flying the Aircraft. The Flight Engineers other duty was to operate the top gun turret when needed. Having sat at the Engineers panel on the B-36, I am very familiar with those duties. The "J" model B-36 used 2 flight engineers setting side by side to handle the highly complicated systems of 6 reciprocating, piston type engines & 4 jet engines, plus all of the other electrical, hydraulic, fuel management, temp, pressurization & etc. Plus many of those missions flown during the "Cold War", ranged from 12 to 24 hours. So I just don't have much compassion for those poor souls on a 5 1/2 hour flight to Hawaii.
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