Back before WWII started, the country of Bobedonia had aquired brand new B-17's. The Chief Military pilot was flying the first B-17 in before the others. On the approach, the Captain said to his co-pilot: "Runway is short, give me 10 degrees flaps." The co-pilot reaches down and retracts the flaps. Further into the approach the captain says: "Runway is very short, give me 20 degrees flaps." Again, the co-pilot drops the flaps down to 20 degrees.
About 2 miles from the threshold the, the Captain says in a very urgent voice: "Runway very, very short, give me full flaps now," The co-pilot does what he his told. A few seconds later they touch down. Props are reversed and brakes are locked. When all the dust finally cleared, the airplane's main gear was only a few inches away from the edge of the concrete.
The flightcrew sigh in relief. The Captain turns toward the co-pilot and says: "Runway very, very, very short," where the co-pilot responds: "Yes, runway is very short, but is very, very wide."
About 2 miles from the threshold the, the Captain says in a very urgent voice: "Runway very, very short, give me full flaps now," The co-pilot does what he his told. A few seconds later they touch down. Props are reversed and brakes are locked. When all the dust finally cleared, the airplane's main gear was only a few inches away from the edge of the concrete.
The flightcrew sigh in relief. The Captain turns toward the co-pilot and says: "Runway very, very, very short," where the co-pilot responds: "Yes, runway is very short, but is very, very wide."