Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

B-17 Flying Fortress
A B-17G performing at the 2014 Chino Airshow
Role	Heavy bomber
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boeing
First flight	28 July 1935 (1935-07-28)
Introduction	April 1938 (1938-04)
Retired	1968 (Brazilian Air Force)
Primary users	United States Army Air Forces Royal Air Force
Produced	1936–1945
Number built	12,731
Unit cost	US$238,329 (1945) US$2.6 million (in 2016 dollars)
Variants	XB-38 Flying Fortress YB-40 Flying Fortress C-108 Flying Fortress
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)

Data	Units
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