B-17 Flying Fortress
by Staff EditorThe Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" was a World War II bomber used primarily in Europe. Because of their long-range capability, formations of B-17s often flew into battle with no fighter escort, relying on their own defensive capabilities to insure a successful mission. During the War, B-17s were among the most modern aircraft in the U.S. inventory, but the jet-age made them obsolete soon after the war. In the years following World War II, most B-17s were cut up for scrap, used in Air Force research or sold on the surplus market. Between 1935 and May of 1945, 12,732 B-17s were produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions. Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and fewer still are in airworthy condition.
B-17 Specifications
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| First Flight: | 12/1936 |
| Wingspan: | 103.8 ft. (31.6 m) |
| Height: | 19.1 ft. (5.8 m) |
| Length: | 74.3 ft. (22.6 m) |
| Payload: | 17,000 lbs. (7,711 kg) |
| Top Speed at Altitude: | 300 mph (483 km/h) |
| Ceiling: | 35,000 ft. (10,667 m) |
| Range: | 1,609 nm (2,979 km) |
| Crew: | Ten |
