B-17 Flying Fortress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Boeing B-17 |
|
|
| Role |
Bomber |
| Manufacturer |
Boeing |
| First flight |
28 July 1935 |
| Status |
Retired |
| Primary user |
USA |
| Number built |
12.729 |
The Boeing 17 Flying Fortress was a heavy bomber, that was used by the United States Eighth Air Force during World War II. It first flew in 1935, and was introduced in 1938. It had a shorter range, and a smaller bomb load, then its sister bomber the B-24 Liberator, but it had more defensive arment. It dropped large amounts of bombs, and was also used during air raids against Germany, such as the raid on Dresden. The B-17 was also used in the Pacific, at the Battle of Midway. They were known for being able to get shot by enemy fighters many times and keep flying. the B-17 was a heavy duty bomber plane that carried 2 tons of bombs. Not many B-17's survived WWII. It was the result of the lack of escortations of fighters. Although the Flying Fortress took down many opposing fighters they also took a beating. Later in WWII, the U.S. air force decided to add escortations to the bombers giving them more protection. The escortations lasted till the end of WWII.
[change] Technical data (Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress)
| Data |
Units |
| Years of production |
1935-1945 |
| Manufacturer |
Boeing |
| Wingspan |
31,62 m |
| Lenght |
22,66 m |
| Hight |
5,82 m |
| Wing area |
131,92 m² |
| Wight (empty) |
16.391 kg |
| Max takeoff weight |
29.710 kg |
| Crew |
9 |
| Speed |
462km/h |
| Service ceiling |
10.800 m |
| Range |
3.220 km |
| Powerplant |
4x Wright-R-1820-97 Cyclone |
| Power |
4x 895 kW (1.217 HP) |
| Weapons |
8 T bombs and 13* machine guns 12,7mm |
