Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (Late)

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Specifications Wingspan: 34 1/2" Fuselage Length: 24 15/16" Recommended Engines 2 - Cox/Estes .049 Baby Bees Recommended Propellers 2 - 5-3 Three-bladed

Late B-17 History

In the summer of 1940 a B-17C was caught in a thunder storm over California and crashed. Due to the slender tapered rear fuselage the bomber broke apart in the air. Also in 1941 the R.A.F. used the B-17 in combat over Germany for the first time, and the inability of the B-17 to protect itself from the rear made it impractical. This led Boeing to redesign the rear part of the fuselage. Changes included a taller vertical fin with a long fairing for rigidity, and a tail gun position.

Destined to become the most recognized American aircraft of World War II, the “late” model B-17 was the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams of the aircraft planners. When the United States entered World War II the late model Fortress had already been ordered in fairly large numbers (512 “E” models) by the Army. These were the first of the B-17s to see extensive combat in the Pacific, Europe and Africa.

Improvements came rapidly for the B-17 as its involvement grew in Europe. Its use in daylight necessitated the increased armament and range. With the “G” model a nose turret was added for protection against head-on attacks. With this last major change America’s aircraft producers began to grind out B-17s at an enormous rate. Boeing Seattle completed production of one B-17 every hour. Douglas and Lockheed were sub-contracted to produce B-17s. In total nearly 13,000 B-17s were built for the war effort.

The combat experience of the B-17 was legendary. Its ability to absorb brutal damage and remain airworthy defied logic when you consider the B-17 didn't have a through-the-fuselage spar(the wings bolted to the fuselage.) The United States’ first mission from England in August, 1942 consisted of twelve aircraft. In April, 1945 it was common to have 1,500 to 1,900 ship formations. This is even more amazing when you consider that at sea level the four Wright cyclone engines produced 4,800 horsepower total. At combat altitude, 26,000 ft, each engine was reduced to about 750 horsepower or 3,000 horsepower total. For reference, a modern C-130 Hercules transport has 4,910 horsepower @ 30,000 feet...per engine!

After WWII the B-17 was quickly retired but its contributions to the victory in Europe were immeasurable. America had achieved the right airplane in the right quantity at the right time. The B-17 in historical perspective is considered the father of the modern bomber, and rightly so.