High Gallery
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U.
S. Military Aircraft Boeing B-17G FLYING FORTRESS Photo U. S. Air Force |
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In June 1934 Boeing began work on a four engine heavy bomber for the US Army Air Corps. The model 299 prototype was built as a private venture and first flew in July 1935. Initial production up to the B-17D was only in small numbers, for these first variants were in effect pre production batches to evaluate the type's steadily improving capabilities. The company's gamble with prototype eventually paid off, however, in production of 12,731 aircraft of all variants. The Flying Fortress operated in several theaters, but is best remembered as the mainstay of the 8th Army Air Force in its daylight raids against Germany with steadily strengthened fighter escort. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Boeing | Length: 74 ft. 9 in. |
| First Flight: July 1935 | Height: 19 ft. 1 in. |
| Model: G | Wing Span: 103 ft. 9.25 in. |
| Crew: 10 | Wing Area: 1,420.0 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: Flying Fortress | Empty Weight: 36,135 lb. |
| Basic Role: Heavy bomber. | Max. Weight: 72,000 lb. |
| Other Versions: XB-17 to B-17D: Pre production and limited production early models, B-17E :heavier armament and new tail unit, B-17F: improved B-17E , B-17G: chin turret. | Armament: 13 0.5-in (12.7-mm) machine guns in chin, cheek, dorsal, ventral, beam, and tail installations, and up to 17,600 lb. of bombs. |
| Principal User: Great Britain, and USA. |
Propulsion |
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Performance |
Power Plant: Wright R-1820-97 radial piston engines. |
| Range: 3,400 miles. | Horsepower: 1,200-hp. |
| Max. Speed: 302 mph. | No. Of Engines: Four |
| Ceiling: 35,600 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: 20,000 ft. in 37 minute 0 seconds. |