B-17 Replacements

[dgaad]

The aircraft replacements information is a very nice screen. Lists all the aircraft types, the number of replacements (I'm assuming that's a per month figure) and how many of those I've used.

Its now late August, 1942, I've yet to receive a single B-17 replacement. I've started to receive not only new B-17 squadrons but also a B-24 squadron.

Do we ever get replacements for the B-17, or do we just get new Bomber Groups?

[johnmac]

Your original B-17s are the remains of what was on Clark field.

Because of the 'Germany-first' policy, the Pacific theatre was not a priority for B-17 shipments. However, don't worry - in the fall of 1942 to start getting a mighty 7 replacements per month...

[dgaad]

I know the reason why replacements are sparse and squadrons are small. Its just that its now August 29 and still not a single B17 replacement. Can you tell me approximately what day replacements start arriving?

[Scouters]

Dear Boeing Customer,

We regret that you have not yet received your shipment of our most popular strategic bomber, the Boeing B17 "Flying Fortress"(TM). Interest in this aircraft has been greater than expected and we are busy filling orders.

A quick look at your order shows that you did not take advantage of our pre-order offer (5% off all units ordered before July 15, 1935) and chose the standard (USPS) delivery. Priority is given to those customers (specifically, the 8th Air Force) who chose to pre-order and take advantage of UPS overnight shipping option. Be assured that once we have filled these previous obligations we will begin shipping yours.

You may track your order status at
http://www.boeing.com/sales/mil/pac.the ... cust=dgaad

Thank you for buying American!

Sincerely,
Monica
Boeing Sales Representative

[The Gnome]

OMG That was hysterical! Work-mates now wondering if I'm completely mad!

[dgaad]

Dear Boeing Management :

Thank you for informing me of the opportunities our company, the United States Army Air Forces, Pacific Theater, could have taken advantage of several years ago. Believe me, there are a number of officers here in the company who wish we had. As you may be aware, our company has since December 7th experienced an usually high demand for the delivery of unstable high explosives to our customers in this part of the world, especially the Empire of Japan and its local affiliates. We seem unable to meet all of these requests without additional delivery systems such as the Flying Fortress.

We do appreciate the need for you to backfill the 8th Air Force pre-order, but we of course would like to know specifically when we can begin delivering our high value payloads to our customers. Until your company has surplus over and above the European pre-order, we will have to limit our deliveries to targetted demographics and markets, rather than a region-wide saturation.

Please let us know as soon as the information becomes available when we can place a large order for immediate delivery to our ongoing operations in the South Pacific.

Signed

Curtiss LeMay

USAAFPac, 5th Air Force