B-17

First flown on 28 July 1935, the B-17 prototype known as the Boeing 299, was immediately dubbed the "Flying Fortress" by the press corps in attendance. The USAAC ordered 13 YB-17s, followed by another contract for 39 near-identical B-17Bs. By the middle of the 1940s, the Fortress had been further improved with the addition of two extra guns and more powerful engines. Twenty B-17Cs were exported to Britain to serve with the RAF. Early lessons learned in Europe resulted in Boeing enhancing the armor of future models, along with additional guns and self- sealing fuel tanks. This resulted in the B-17E, 512 of which were built in 1941 and 1942. These were followed by the B-17F, which had a re-designed nose to incorporate a 0.50-in gun, a strengthened undercarriage to cope with increased bomb loads, and Wright R-1820-97 engines. The final version was known as the B-17G, of which 8,680 were built. It had a gun turret located in the front and bottom of the aircraft. There was an SB-17, a Fortress converted for search and rescue duty that saw service in the Aleutians. The key to the B-17's design and success was this heavy machine gun armament that enabled the B-17 to penetrate defended airspace unescorted. There were 12,731 B-17s built by Boeing, Douglas, and Lockheed. There were few B-17 pilots over the age of 30, with most of their crews consisting of men only in their 20's. The first American combat loss in WWII was that of a B-17 shot down by Japanese Zeroes on the way to Pearl Harbor. The B-17 fought in every theater of WWII. While it was America's main strategic weapon in Europe, it also saw action in the Aleutians. Specifications: First Flight Date: 28 July 1935 Type: Nine/10-seat long-range bomber. Powerplant: Four 1,200-hp Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone turbocharged radial piston engines. Maximum speed: 287 mph at 25,000 ft. Ceiling: 35,600 ft. Range: 2,000 miles with 5,000 lb bomb load. Weights: Empty 36,135 lbs; Max (Take-off) 65,500 lbs. Weapons: 13 ea. 50 caliber machine guns in twin turrets, plus single dorsal and fore and aft beam positions; 17,600 lb max bomb load. Dimensions: Span: 103 ft 9 in Wing Area: Approx 1,420 sq. ft. Length: 74 ft 4 in Height: 19 ft 1 in Additional References: 1) Jane's Historic Military Aircraft 2) Aircraft of the World