Mantis Flying Fortress

2x Missile Launcher

1x Radial Cannon

The Flying Fortress is the Boss that appears in Stage 3 and Stage 4.

## Appearance

**Stage 3**

The Mantis Flying Fortress takes the form of a huge bomber, with 6-rear facing propellers and 5 gun ports (two on its tail fins, one on the fuselage, and one each between each middle and outer propeller). The plane has a verdant green paint job with white stripes at the end of each wingtip.

**Stage 4**

This Stage’s Boss appears to be a refurbished version of the Stage 3 Flying Fortress. While it looks the same with a couple pounds of duct tape, it might be actually an entirely separate vehicle. It has a similar fight to the one in Stage 3, but it gains 2 additional gun ports between the fuselage and wing turrets. They are coincidentally where the two mantis icons used to be in Stage 3.

## Armaments

### Stage 3

**Phase 1**

* 2x Unangled Cannon

At the rear of the plane is two Cannons, one on each fin. The Cannons fire one bullet at a time, but can only fire straight down.

**Phase 2**

* 2x Chain Gun

At each wing, there are a gun port that boasts a Chain Gun.

* 1x Dodeca-Radial Cannon

At the center of the plane is a gun port for a Dodeca-Radial Cannon. It fires in twelve directions at once.

### Stage 4

**Phase 1**

* 2x Unangled Cannon

These are the same rear Cannons that are used in the previous Stage, but with an increased rate of fire (verify).

**Phase 2**

* 2x Unangled Chain Gun

Same as the previous one in Stage 3, but the turret is in fixed diagonal position. Weirdly, it also has a different sound effect when firing.

* 2x SAM Launcher

Next to the Chain Guns are a gun port that resemble Cannons when pop up. These aren't the ones that fire bullets. Instead, it launches SAMs that will lock on to the Player. The launchers have much more health than the Chain Guns.

* 1x Hexa-Radial Cannon

At the center of the plane is the gun port for another Radial Cannon. The cannon fires single bullets in six directions simultaneously, unlike Stage 3's version with 12.

## Combat Routine

### Stage 3

Prior to this battle, a transmission from the commander will play, explaining that General Mantis is about to attack with his Flying Fortress, and he must be put in his place.

The first Phase is very simple: two forward facing Cannons that don't change their angle.

Two Chain Guns on the wings and one large central turret appear the instant both Cannons are destroyed. If Laser is unlocked, it is recommended to immediately burn said Lasers and take out the central turret. Otherwise, the screen will soon become filled with bullets. However, since the central turret shoots bullets in all directions, but doesn’t exactly aim, it is possible to dodge between the bullets. If Mega Bombs are unlocked, even a low level explosion will likely one-shot all armaments on the plane.

Destroy the central turret first, and then focus on the side weapons. Move to the side while they shoot so the bullets will fly off the screen, then move in to shoot them. Once they are destroyed, the obliteration phase will begin.

### Stage 4

The first part of the Boss fight is the same: two Cannons. Not much issue to be found here. The second part is more difficult than the previous Stage: one Radial Cannon, one Chain Gun on each side, and one seeking-air-missile on each side. Although the now-unmoving Chain Guns and the halved shot of the Radial Turret are easier, the addition of the SAMs make it much harder overall.

Just like Stage 3, the highest priority is destroying the Radial Turret. If Lasers are in stock, burn them and destroy the center.

The next focus is the SAMs, as they are the most damaging armament. Stay at the bottom of the screen and try to stay still for as long as possible to prevent bullet spread. If Lasers are still stored, burn them to take out the defenses on one wing (SAM + Chain Gun).

If Lasers are currently unavailable, systematically take out the SAMs and then the Chain Guns. The SAM launchers are the only ones to actually aim toward the Player, so the Missiles Upgrade is a good idea if they're bought. The bullets that are fired don't immediately disappear once all the weapons are gone, which can be the ruin of many Stay Untouched runs. Once the SAMs are gone, a couple sweet spots can be found since no other weapons actually aim.

To maximize the amount of Stars collected, make sure there are no Projectiles flying toward the Plane, then hover near the tail fins during the obliteration.

## Gallery

Flying Fortress in Stage 3 (1st Phase)Flying Fortress in Stage 3 (2nd Phase)Flying Fortress in Stage 4 (1st Phase)Flying Fortress in Stage 4 (2nd Phase)
## Trivia

* The Flying Fortress resembles the one in the original Sky Force. The plane has same gun position, but the paint job in the original sky force is a camouflage paint job.
* During the second stage in Stage 3, parachutes inflate over the ocean and drop downwards. The origin or purpose of these is unknown.
* The destroyed remains of both planes are in Stage 8, proving they might be separate entities. The wreckage of the original Mantis Flying Fortress also appears in Sky Force Reloaded at Stage 5.
* The Flying Fortress resembles a Convair B-36 Peacemaker, an American Heavy bomber that was used from 1948-1959.
* This Boss can be found on the PC title screen. It's not a Bomber because it has three turbines, not two. Interceptors and Prop Planes can also be found on this screen.