B-17 part 1

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B-17 part 1 photo gallery

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The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was in service from start to finish of US participation in World War 2. It was designed in response to a USAAC (United States Army Air Corps) competition in August 1934, the prototype (four Pratt & Whitney R-1690 “Hornet” radial engines, 750 hp ) flying on 28th July 1935. Thirteen Y1B-17 and one Y1B-17A were ordered for evaluation; after their test period these became the B-17 and B-17A respectively. The first production batch of 39 B-17B, featuring a modified nose, enlarged rudder and various internal modifications, were all delivered by the end of March 1940. Meanwhile a further order had been placed for 38 B-17C with armament and other minor changes. Twenty of these were supplied to the RAF (Royal Air Force) as the Fortress Mk I in 1941, but after several losses the remainder were diverted to Coastal Command or the Middle East. By the time the Pacific war commenced the B-17D, 42 of which had been ordered during 1940, was in service. This was generally similar to the C, and the Cs in service were subsequently modified to D standard. The new tail design, hallmark of later Fortresses, was introduced with the B-17E, with improved defensive armament which included, for the first time, a tail turret. The RAF received 45 B-17Es in 1942 as the Fortress Mk IIA. In April 1942 the B-17F, with further refinements, entered production; Coastal Command received 19 as the Fortress II. As the F-9, -9A and -9B, 61 of this model were converted for reconnaissance. The last production Fortress was the B-17G. 8,680 being completed by Boeing, Douglas and Vega. A standard feature (later added to some B-17Fs) was a ‘chin” turret mounting twin 12,7mm guns. This model was the RAF Fortress Mk III, 85 being delivered. Ten B-17Gs were converted to F-9Cs, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard employed 24 PB-1W and 16 P8-IG for aerial patrol duties, and about 130, with a lifeboat under the belly, became B-17H or TB-17H air/sea rescue aircraft.

Production: 12731 aircrafts

Bibliography:

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