Make regular checks to ensure the crew is OK and that the guns aren't jammed -it's easy to miss messages in the heat of combat. Keep at least one pilothealthy because the plane can end up in a spin if it's in a turn when the pilotis hit, giving little time to bail out.Make the radio operator send a MayDay message to improve your chances of survival when you're bailing out over the channel. Landing an engineless,bullet-ridden, flame-scorched B-17 after a mission is risky and difficult. Bailout over the channel to ensure mission success. Before landing, attempt to healinjured crew otherwise they are hospitalised. Having more than one crew memberpeform first aid on a casualty increases the chances of success.