The B-17 flying fortress, from Boeing is a four engine heavy bomber airplane designed and crafted in the 1930’s, by the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). The Boeing B-17 flying fortress was used by the American air force to saturate Nazi Germany in Europe. It was designed by the American air force around 1938, and has seen several evolution as well as pattern changes.

The B-17 aircraft was used primarily in the daylight precision tactical bombing system of the second world war, by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). The B-17 also took part in the war at the Pacific, in which raids were executed on Japanese shipping and air fields. The USAAC considered this plane as a strategic weapon, it was eventually potent, perfect for flying high, surely could fly long range, surely could defend itself and able to returning back even after extensive war damage. The B-17’s capacity of outlasting battle damages gave the plane a popular status. The B-17 established its self as a good weapons system, by shedding much more bombs than some of the United States airplane during the world war ll. Roughly 640,000 tons of bombs were shed by the B-17 flying fortress for the USAAF all through the World war ll.

In 1942, against the Nazi Germany B-17’s flew in an 18 plane wedge formation, which in turn gave them significant fire power against their attackers. During 1943 the B-17’s attacked a ball bearing manufacturing area in Schweinfurt. 211, B-17’s took part in the raid. 60 planes were lost in the raid, which was 30% of the total airplane. About 1/3rd of the B-17’s did not survive the daylight raids, which resulted in the conclusion of these raids. Typically B-17’s flew in wedges of 18, now they were to fly in the group of 36 in the year 1944. This gave massive fire power in front, especially with the latest model G. They’re furnished with way more firepower, with machine guns in the front of the aircraft ward off the frontal blasts. The models G were furnished with .50 caliber machine guns, presenting each plane massive firing total capacity with the extra danger of probable collisions along with other aircraft.

After the end of world war ll, the B-17 flying fortress was soon eliminated of service, and the Army retired a majority of its fleet. The flight teams flew them from across the Atlantic to the United States, wherein they’re marketed for scrap and even melted down. A few planes were utilized for transporting VIPS, air-sea rescue as well as photo-reconnaissance. With the disestablishment of the US Army Airforce, as well as the establishment of the independent US Airforce, many B-17 fighters were moved to the USAF in the year 1947. They used the B-17’s as an air-sea rescue aircraft. Around 1946, extra B-17 plane were picked as drone airplane for atmospheric sampling throughout the Operation Crossroads. A lot more B-17’s were changed into Drones, for use in atomic screening and as targets for checking surface-to- air and air-air-missiles. The final task flown by the B-17 flying fortress was during 1959, August 6.

The well-known B-17 flying fortress the Memphis Belle is now being restored to its World war ll glory by the National Museum of the United States Air force at the Wright-Patterson Airforce Base, Ohio.

The B-17 Flying Fortress has really become a symbol of American Power as well as a symbol of its Airforce. Nearly, 250,000 Americans have experienced flying them.

History B-17, History B-17