B-17 Flying Fortress

The B-17 Flying Fortress was developed during World War II for the US Army as a strategic, long-range, multiengine bomber. B-17s served in all theaters of the war and were legendary for being able to lose engines and even chunks of their fuselage in brutal attacks and still return their crew safely home. Several variants of the B-17 were developed during the war each featuring improvements like additional armament and more crew capacity. The final B-17 was the B-17G, which was produced in larger quantities than any previous model.
The B-17 Flying Fortress was developed during World War II for the US Army as a strategic, long-range, multiengine bomber.

Image Description:  The B-17 Flying Fortress was developed during World War II for the US Army as a strategic, long-range, multiengine bomber.


FACTS & STATS:

First Flown
1935
Range		 2,400 miles (3,862 km)
Length 74 ft 4 in (22.66 m)
Engine Four 1,200-horsepower Wright R-1820-97 engines
Wingspan 103 ft 9 in (31.63 m)
Max Speed 287 mph (462 kmh)
Ceiling 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
Weight

Empty 36,135 lbs (16,391 kgs);
max takeoff: 65,000 lbs (29,484 kgs)
Number Built

Over 12,000
Armament

Thirteen .50 cal. machine guns, plus 17,600 lb. (7,983 kg) max. bomb load



Crewmen posing with a B-17E Flying Fortress in Tampa, Florida, 1942. Photo from the LIFE Magazine archives.
Image Description: Crewmen posing with a B-17E Flying Fortress in Tampa, Florida, 1942. Photo from the LIFE Magazine archives.
Today restored B-17 Flying Fortresses tour the country taking aviation enthusiasts on nostalgic flights.
Image Description: Today restored B-17 Flying Fortresses tour the country taking aviation enthusiasts on nostalgic flights.