Jay Honeck wrote:

Not to mention the cowlings being crushed into the bottom row of cylinders,
and the exhaust system being broken off.

Because the gear doesn't completely retract, the cowlings can't ever hit the ground
on a B-17. This is also the case with the DC-3. Looking at the damage photos, the
cowlings appear to be intact.

George Patterson
If you don't tell lies, you never have to remember what you said.