B17s and B29s.

[Jim]

Now... I am not saying it was a 100% thing, but... During WWII...

Does anyone know why you never hear about B17s in the Pacific theater? Does anyone know why you never hear about B29s in the European theater?

[Vanbiesbrouck]

It's because B17 is behind the goal the Pens shoot at twice, and B29 is skipped over.

[PittsburghSportsFan]

The B29 was capable of traveling further distances (across the Pacific compared to across the Atlantic) than the B17. Hence, more B17's in the European Theater and more B29's in the Pacific Theater.

History buff here.

[Jim]

I do understand the range thing... That goes a long way to explain no B17s in the Pacific. But weren't there shorter range bombers staitioned in the Aleutians? B25s I believe...

As the B29 flew higher and faster than the B17, wouldn't it make sense to have them in Europe as well? They could fly over the flak and (without getting too into specifics) fend agaist the German inteceptors like it did against the Japaneese...

I supose it is much more the lack of B29s in Europe that raise my confusion. You could explain the lack of B17s in the Pacific easily as they already had the B25s there and you might as well keep the replacement parts flowing in one direction as opposed to two. The B29 just seems like it would have made a HUGE inpact in Europe...

[Ron`]

I think you answered your own question, limited number of resources (planes) and pilot. That was the dispersion they chose.