Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress: Difference between revisions
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In | The '''B-17''', nicknamed "the flying fortress" was the main heavy bomber used by the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II. | ||
In the mid 1930s the Air Corps' requested a large, multiengine long-range bomber. Boing built the B-17 (Model 299) prototype, going from design board to flight test in less than 12 months. | |||
The B-17 was a low-wing monoplane that combined aerodynamic features of the XB-15 bomber, still in the design stage, and the Model 247 transport.<ref>http://www.boeing.com/history/boeing/b17.html</ref> | The B-17 was a low-wing monoplane that combined aerodynamic features of the XB-15 bomber, still in the design stage, and the Model 247 transport.<ref>http://www.boeing.com/history/boeing/b17.html</ref> | ||
The first B-17s saw combat in 1941, when the British Royal Air Force took delivery of several B-17s for high-altitude missions. As World War II intensified, the bombers needed additional armament and armor. | The first B-17s saw combat in 1941, when the British Royal Air Force took delivery of several B-17s for high-altitude missions. As World War II intensified, the bombers needed additional armament and armor. | ||
The B-17E, the first mass-produced model Flying Fortress, carried nine machine guns and a 4,000-pound bomb load. It was several tons heavier than the prototypes and bristled with armament. It was the first Boeing airplane with the distinctive -- and enormous -- tail for improved control and stability during high-altitude bombing. Each version was more heavily armed. | The B-17E, the first mass-produced model Flying Fortress, carried nine machine guns and a 4,000-pound bomb load. It was several tons heavier than the prototypes and bristled with armament. It was the first Boeing airplane with the distinctive -- and enormous -- tail for improved control and stability during high-altitude bombing. Each version was more heavily armed. | ||
In the Pacific, the planes earned a deadly reputation with the Japanese, who dubbed them "four-engine fighters." The Fortresses were also legendary for their ability to stay in the air after taking brutal poundings. They sometimes limped back to their bases with large chunks of the fuselage shot off. | In the Pacific, the planes earned a deadly reputation with the Japanese, who dubbed them "four-engine fighters." The Fortresses were also legendary for their ability to stay in the air after taking brutal poundings. They sometimes limped back to their bases with large chunks of the fuselage shot off. | ||
Boeing plants built a total of 6,981 B-17s in various models, and another 5,745 were built under a nationwide collaborative effort by Douglas and Lockheed (Vega), only a few B-17s survive today. | Boeing plants built a total of 6,981 B-17s in various models, and another 5,745 were built under a nationwide collaborative effort by Douglas and Lockheed (Vega), only a few B-17s survive today. | ||
==Bibliography== | |||
* Martin Bowman. ''B-17 Flying Fortress'' (2005) [http://www.amazon.com/Flying-Fortress-Cmbt-Combat-Legends/dp/1840373652/ref=sr_1_5/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192677189&sr=1-5 excerpt and text search] | |||
* Frederick A Johnsen. ''Boeing B-17-Flying Fortress'' (2002) [http://www.amazon.com/Boeing-B-17-Flying-Fortress-WarbirdTech/dp/1580070523/ref=sr_1_11/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192677189&sr=1-11 excerpt and text search] | |||
[[Category:Military Workgroup]] | |||
[[Category:CZ Live]] | |||
Revision as of 21:17, 17 October 2007
The B-17, nicknamed "the flying fortress" was the main heavy bomber used by the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II.
In the mid 1930s the Air Corps' requested a large, multiengine long-range bomber. Boing built the B-17 (Model 299) prototype, going from design board to flight test in less than 12 months. The B-17 was a low-wing monoplane that combined aerodynamic features of the XB-15 bomber, still in the design stage, and the Model 247 transport.[1]
The first B-17s saw combat in 1941, when the British Royal Air Force took delivery of several B-17s for high-altitude missions. As World War II intensified, the bombers needed additional armament and armor.
The B-17E, the first mass-produced model Flying Fortress, carried nine machine guns and a 4,000-pound bomb load. It was several tons heavier than the prototypes and bristled with armament. It was the first Boeing airplane with the distinctive -- and enormous -- tail for improved control and stability during high-altitude bombing. Each version was more heavily armed. In the Pacific, the planes earned a deadly reputation with the Japanese, who dubbed them "four-engine fighters." The Fortresses were also legendary for their ability to stay in the air after taking brutal poundings. They sometimes limped back to their bases with large chunks of the fuselage shot off. Boeing plants built a total of 6,981 B-17s in various models, and another 5,745 were built under a nationwide collaborative effort by Douglas and Lockheed (Vega), only a few B-17s survive today.
Bibliography
- Martin Bowman. B-17 Flying Fortress (2005) excerpt and text search
- Frederick A Johnsen. Boeing B-17-Flying Fortress (2002) excerpt and text search