Originally Posted by MontyB

Why?
On the whole it was a failure, it was to heavy to keep up with the bomber stream it was meant to protect and had all the same weaknesses.

With the spec ops they would have operated alone, so being a bit slower than an empty B-17 wouldn't be a problem. They had 2 ball turrets, so turning one into a hatch wouldn't have left the underside unprotected.

Originally Posted by George

With the spec ops they would have operated alone, so being a bit slower than an empty B-17 wouldn't be a problem. They had 2 ball turrets, so turning one into a hatch wouldn't have left the underside unprotected.

True, I guess it depends on how at of these flights were intercepted though.

My guess would be that most were simply get in and get out missions more specialised missions used STOL aircraft like the Lysander.