WWII AIRCRAFT OF THE WEEK: BOEING B-17 FLYING FORTRESS; Country of Origin: USA
Type: Heavy Bomber
Crew: 10
Powerplant: 4x Curtiss-Wright Cyclone radial engines
Armament:
-Guns: 13x Browning M2 .50 HMGs
-Bombs: max. 17,600 lbs(7,800 kg) worth; 'FLYING FORTRESS' PERFECTLY DESCRIBES THIS BOMBER'S LARGE SIZE AND HEAVY ARMAMENT. IT SAW EXTENSIVE USE IN STRATEGIC BOMBING MISSIONS IN THE ETO AS WELL AS LIMITED USE IN THE PACIFIC THEATER, AND BECAME A SYMBOL OF AMERICAN AIR POWER. UNTIL THE INTRODUCTION OF LONG RANGE FIGHTERS SUCH AS THE P-51, A B-17'S ONLY DEFENSE WAS ITS GUNNERS. CREW MORTALITY RATES WERE HIGH; THE TAILGUNNER AND BALL TURRET GUNNER BOTH HAD A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 4 MISSIONS-JUST 2 WEEKS.