Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17 Flying Fortress | |
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A B-17G performing at the 2014 Chino Airshow | |
Role | Heavy bomber |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Boeing |
First flight | 28 July 1935 |
Introduction | April 1938 |
Retired | 1968 (Brazilian Air Force) |
Primary users | United States Army Air Forces Royal Air Force |
Produced | 1936–1945 |
Number built | 12,731[1] |
Unit cost |
|
Variants | |
Developed into | Boeing 307 Stratoliner |
The Boeing 17 Flying Fortress was a heavy bomber, that was used by the United States Strategic 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, than its sister bomber the B-24 Liberator, but it had more defensive armament. It dropped large amounts of bombs during air raids against Germany, such as the raid on Dresden. The B-17 was also used in the Pacific, including the Battle of Midway. The Flying Fortress had its name for a good reason, it could survive the hits, being able to fly while under intense enemy fire. The B-17 was a heavy bomber plane that carried 2 tons of bombs. Not many B-17's survived WWII. It was the result of lots of opposition and the lack of escort by fighters. Although the Flying Fortress shot down many opposing fighters they also took a beating. Later in WWII, the U.S. increased escort fighters for the bombers giving more protection. The escort fights flew until the end of WWII.
Technical data (Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress)[change | change source]
Data | Units |
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Years of production | 1935-1945 |
Manufacturer | Boeing |
Wingspan | 31,62 m |
Length | 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 |
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Angelucci and Matricardi 1988, p. 46.
- ↑ Inflated values automatically calculated.