Back before WWII started, the country of Bobedonia had acquired 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 extends 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 Captain says in a very urgent voice:
"Runway is 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 is very, very, very short!" where the co-pilot responds:
"Yes, runway is very short, but is very, very wide."