B-17 | aircraft | Britannica.com aircraft Alternative Titles: Boeing B-17 bomber, Flying Fortress Related Topics military aircraft B-17, also called Flying Fortress, U.S. heavy bomber used during World War II . The B-17 was designed by the Boeing Aircraft Company in response to a 1934 Army Air Corps specification that called for a four-engined bomber at a time when two engines were the norm. The bomber was intended from the outset to attack strategic targets by precision daylight bombing, penetrating deep into enemy territory by flying above the effective range of antiaircraft artillery. Turbo-supercharged radial engines (a uniquely American development) were to give the necessary high-altitude performance, and heavy defensive armament was to provide protection against attacking fighters. Accuracy was to be achieved with the Norden bombsight, developed and fielded in great secrecy during the 1930s. The Norden consisted of a gyroscopically stabilized telescopic sight coupled to an electromechanical computer into which the bombardier fed inputs for altitude, atmospheric conditions, air speed, ground speed, and drift. During the bomb run, the sight was slaved to the automatic pilot to guide the aircraft to the precise release point.

In the hands of a skilled bombardier, the Norden was a remarkably accurate sight. U.S. B-17, or Flying Fortress Courtesy of Boeing Co. The first prototype bomber flew in mid-1935, and the B-17 entered small-scale production in 1937. Early versions proved to be more vulnerable to fighter attack than anticipated, but, by the time the B-17E version began to go into service shortly before the United States entered the war in 1941, the plane was equipped with turrets in the upper fuselage, belly, and tail. All but the last turret were power-operated, and each mounted a pair of 0.50-inch (12.7-mm) machine guns. This increased firepower made the B-17 a formidable opponent for enemy fighters, particularly when flying in tightly stacked defensive formations for mutual protection. The basic element of a typical formation was a squadron “box” of 9 or 12 aircraft; three squadron boxes staggered vertically and horizontally formed a group, and three groups in trail formed a combat wing.

In the event, the need to keep such tight defensive formations over Europe compromised the accuracy of the Norden bombsight, since individual bomb runs were not possible without breaking the formation. Whole bomb formations had to drop their loads on the lead bombardier’s command, and the inevitable small differences in timing and heading led to dispersed bomb patterns. Similar Topics Halifax The definitive version of the B-17 was the G model, which entered service in the summer of 1943. Armed with no less than 13 0.50-inch machine guns, including two in a new “chin” turret for defense against head-on attack, the B-17G fairly bristled with machine guns. It was operated by a crew of 10, including the pilot, copilot, navigator-radioman, bombardier, and gunners.

The plane’s service ceiling of 25,000 to 35,000 feet (7,500 to 10,500 metres), depending on the bomb load, put it above the worst of the German antiaircraft artillery, but, firepower notwithstanding, formations of B-17s proved unable to fight their way unescorted to targets deep inside Germany in the face of determined fighter opposition without incurring excessive losses. Deep raids were called off in mid-October 1943 and were not resumed until February 1944, when long-range escort fighters such as the P-51 Mustang became available. A 4,000-pound (1,800-kg) bomb load was typical for long missions, though the B-17 could carry up to 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) internally for shorter distances at lower altitudes and even more on external racks beneath the wings.

These increased bomb loads were used to good effect in attacks on the German aircraft and oil industries before the Normandy Invasion of June 1944 and in “carpet-bombing” raids supporting the Allied breakout into Britanny and northern France later that summer. Sharing production with the Douglas, Lockheed, and Vega companies, Boeing oversaw the manufacture of some 12,730 Flying Fortresses, nearly all of them committed to high-altitude bombing over Europe. Though produced in smaller numbers than its partner the B-24 Liberator , the B-17, with superior high-altitude performance and greater resistance to battle damage, was the mainstay of the strategic bombing campaign. The B-17 had excellent flight characteristics and, unlike the B-24, was almost universally well regarded by those who flew it. Rendered obsolete by the larger and more powerful B-29 Superfortress , the B-17 served on after the war in small numbers as a search-and-rescue aircraft modified to drop life rafts by parachute. Seen These Pics?

The Legendary B-17 "Flying Fortress" Bomber SHARE: Facebook Twitter The Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber’s first flight was on 28th July 1935. In total, 12,731 units were buillt between 1936-1945! The nickname “Flying Fortress” was concocted by an American reporter, then the Boeing Company registered the name as a trademark. The first 18 B-17E bombers arrived to equip the US 8th Air Force units in mid-1942 and flew their first mission against rail yards in occupied France on 17th August 1942. With the newly devised Norden Bombsight, this mission was much more successful than the British experience earlier in the European War. The B-17 was a fast, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself. It carried a superb bomb load and was able to return home despite extensive battle damage.

Its reputation quickly took on mythic proportions, and widely circulated stories and photos of notable numbers and examples of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status – B-17 “fortress” fully deserved its nickname. As of May 2015, ten aircraft remain airworthy. None of them are combat veterans. Additionally, a few dozen more are in storage or on static display. The oldest is a D-series combat veteran with service in the Pacific and the Caribbean. Boeing Y1B-17 (pre-production version of the B-17) in flight [US Air Force]. B-17 carried General MacArthur to observe a parachute invasion of Nadzab. 5 September 1943. Bomber belonged to the 43rd Bomb Group 63rd Bomb Squadron [ Via ]. Boeing B-17G-75-BO (43-37877)on fire and going down near Merseburg, Germany. 30 November 1944 [U.S. Air Force]. US bombers B-17 “Flying Fortress” during the bombing of Brasov, Romania [Via].

Crews examine flak damage to B-17G Fortress at RAF Bassingbourn, England. Damage sustained on a mission to Munich, Germany, 6 July 1944. Note “Mickey” Pathfinder radar dome in place of ball turret [United States National Archives]. US bombers B-17 “Flying Fortress” on the airfield at Poltava [ Via ]. Burning B-17 “Flying Fortress” was shot down by a direct hit from anti-aircraft missile over the Ruhland [ Via ]. Bombers B-17F “Flying Fortress” of the 390th Bomb Group (8AF)bombs their targets in France [ Via ]. B-17G formation of the 91st Bomb Group, 324th Bomb Squadron [ Via ]. Boeing B-17G of the 95th Bomb Group Raid in 1944 [ Via ]. Bombers B-17 “Flying Fortress” under anti-aircraft fire over Debrecen, Hungary [ Via ]. Bombardier of the “Flying Fortress” returns from a mission.

In the background are visible other B-17s of the 96th Bomb Group US Air Force [ Via ]. B-17G Fortresses of the 381st Bomb Group are escorted by a P-51B of the 354th Fighter Squadron, Summer-Fall 1944. [ Via ]. B-17 “Flying Fortress” with a damaged tail (by German fighter missiles) in flight near airfield Villaorba, Italy [US Air Force]. B-17 bombers of the 303rd Bomb Group flying in the gaps of the German anti-aircraft fire [ Via ]. The burning bomber B-17 “Flying Fortress” over Nis, Yugoslavia [ Via ]. United States planes in echelon formation. B-24 “Liberator”, Douglas DC-4 and B-17 “Flying Fortress” [ Via ]. B-17 Flying Fortress bomber at rest, silhouetted by the setting sun, Langley Field, Virginia, United States, July 1942. Note B-18 Bolo and two A-20 Havoc aircraft in the background [ Via ].

Wreck of B-17C bomber at Hickam Field, US Territory of Hawaii. 7 December 1941 (United States National Archives). B-17E Flying Fortress converted to XB-38 with Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engines as an experimental testbed in the event the radial engines became unavailable, 1942 [ Via ]. B-17F “Flying Fortress” aircraft “Spotted Cow”, assembly ship of 384th Bomber Group, 547th Bomber Squadron, based in RAF Grafton Underwood, England. 1943 [ Via ]. B-17F “Mary Ruth – Memories of Mobile” and the 401st Bomb Squadron flying toward the German U-boat pens at Lorient, France. 17 May 1943. This photo was taken from B-17 “Memphis Belle” on her last combat sortie (United States National Archives).

B-17 Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group nearing the Dornier Assembly Plant at Meulan, France at dawn, Aug 13, 1943 (United States National Archives) Overhead view of the B-17H bomber in flight (US Air Force). B-17F Fortress flying over Monte Cassino as smoke rises from the abbey. 15 February 1944 (US Air Force) B-17G Fortress ‘Miss Donna Mae II’ drifted under another bomber on a bomb run over Berlin, 19 May 1944. A 1,000 lb bomb from above tore off the left stabilizer and sent the plane into an uncontrollable spin. All 11 were killed (United States National Archives) FEATURED VIDEO EAA’s Boeing B17 | EAA Warbirds QR Code Website Top Restoration The Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17G-VE, serial number 44-85740 – nicknamed, Aluminum Overcast, was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 18, 1945.

Although delivered too late to see action in World War II, the airplane has an interesting history. First Owner Purchased as surplus from the military inventory for a mere $750 in 1946, the airplane has flown more than 1 million miles. It has served as a cargo hauler, an aerial mapping platform and in pest control and forest dusting applications. Return to Military Roots The airplane’s return to its military roots began in 1978, when it was purchased by a group of investors who wished to preserve the heritage of the magnificent B-17. The group, “B-17s Around the World,” was headed by Dr. Bill Harrison. Their goal was to return the B-17 to its former glory. Donation to EAA The economic reality of simply maintaining a vintage bomber, let alone the cost of restoration, prompted the group to donate the B-17 to the Experimental Aircraft Assocation in 1983. Since that time, an extensive program of restoration and preservation was undertaken to insure Aluminum Overcast would be a living reminder of World War II aviation for many years to come.

The restoration has taken more than 10 years and thousands of hours by dedicated staff and volunteers at EAA Oshkosh, Wisconsin, headquarters. Aluminum Overcast proudly carries the colors of the 398th Bomb Group of World War II, which flew hundreds of missions over Nazi-held territory during the war. Aluminum Overcast commemorates B-17G #42-102515 which was shot down on its 34th combat mission over Le Manior, France, on August 13, 1944. Veterans of the 398th helped finance the bomber’s restoration. The Plane When the airplane was sold in 1946, most of the original military equipment had been removed. Over the years, these items have been located, restored and returned to Aluminum Overcast.

These include: • The Norden bombsight located in the nose of the airplane • Restoration of the navigator’s position also located in the nose of the airplane • Installation of the waist guns located on each side of the bomber • Rebuilding the radio compartment, including original communications equipment • Returning the airplane’s floor to its original specifications • Installation of a complete tail turret assembly • Installation of a replica top turret just behind the pilot and co-pilot seats The airplane was on display at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis., until October, 1993 when it was moved to EAA’s Kermit Weeks Flight Research Center for maintenance and restoration in preparation for its first national tour in 1994. The B-17 will eventually be housed in the EAA AirVenture Museum’s “Eagle Hangar,” which features numerous World War II aircraft and exhibits. Even those too young to have lived through World War II can appreciate the history associated with this airplane. The “Flying Fortress” was one of the airplanes that helped the Allies achieve victory in World War II. The B-17 is an important part of both U.S. and aviation history.

It can help us understand the technology of the times, the era in which the aircraft was developed and the human sacrifices which make today’s freedoms possible. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (8/13/2014) source : The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry outperformed both competitors and exceeded the air corps' expectations. Although Boeing lost the contract because the prototype crashed, the air corps was so impressed with Boeing's design that it ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances. The B-17 was primarily employed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial and military targets.

The United States Eighth Air Force, based at many airfields in southern England, and the Fifteenth Air Force, based in Italy, complemented the RAF Bomber Command's nighttime area bombing in the Combined Bomber Offensive to help secure air superiority over the cities, factories and battlefields of Western Europe in preparation for the invasion of France in 1944. The B-17 also participated to a lesser extent in the War in the Pacific, early in World War II, where it conducted raids against Japanese shipping and airfields. From its pre-war inception, the USAAC (later, the USAAF) touted the aircraft as a strategic weapon; it was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself, and to return home despite extensive battle damage. Its reputation quickly took on mythic proportions, and widely circulated stories and photos of notable numbers and examples of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status. With a service ceiling greater than any of its Allied contemporaries, the B-17 established itself as an effective weapons system, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II.

Of the 1.5 million tonnes of bombs dropped on Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, 640,000 tonnes were dropped from B-17s. As of May 2015, 10 aircraft remain airworthy. None of them are combat veterans. Additionally, a few dozen more are in storage or on static display. The oldest is a D-series combat veteran with service in the Pacific and the Caribbean. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Design And Development On 8 August 1934, the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) tendered a proposal for a multi-engine bomber to replace the Martin B-10. The air corps was looking for a bomber capable of reinforcing the air forces in Hawaii, Panama, and Alaska. Requirements were that it would carry a "useful bombload" at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3 km) for 10 hours with a top speed of at least 200 miles per hour (320 km/h).

They also desired, but did not require, a range of 2,000 miles (3,200 km) and a speed of 250 miles per hour (400 km/h). The competition for the air corps contract would be decided by a "fly-off" between Boeing's design, the Douglas DB-1, and the Martin Model 146 at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. The prototype B-17, with the Boeing factory designation of Model 299, was designed by a team of engineers led by E. Gifford Emery and Edward Curtis Wells, and was built at Boeing's own expense. It combined features of the experimental Boeing XB-15 bomber with the Boeing 247 transport aircraft. The B-17's armament consisted of up to 4,800 pounds (2,200 kg) of bombs on two racks in the bomb bay behind the cockpit, and initially possessed five 0.30 inches (7.62 mm) machine guns.

It was powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1690 "Hornet" radial engines each producing 750 horsepower (600 kW) at 7,000 feet (2,100 m). The first flight of the Model 299 was on 28 July 1935 with Boeing chief test-pilot Leslie Tower at the controls. Richard Williams, a reporter for the Seattle Times, coined the name "Flying Fortress" when the Model 299 was rolled out bristling with multiple machine gun installations. The most unusual gun emplacement was the nose installation (see note for description and drawing), which allowed the single machine gun to be fired toward almost any frontal angle that an approaching enemy fighter could take to attack the B-17. Boeing was quick to see the value of the name and had it trademarked for use. Boeing also claimed in some of the early press releases that Model 299 was the first combat aircraft that could continue its mission if one of its four engines failed.

On 20 August 1935, the prototype flew from Seattle to Wright Field in nine hours and three minutes at an average cruising speed of 252 miles per hour (406 km/h), much faster than the competition. At the fly-off, the four-engine Boeing's performance was superior to those of the twin-engine DB-1 and Model 146. Then-Major General Frank Maxwell Andrews of the GHQ Air Force believed that the long-range capabilities of four-engine large aircraft were more effective than shorter-ranged, twin-engine aircraft, and that the B-17 was better suited to their doctrine. His opinions were shared by the air corps procurement officers, and even before the competition had finished they suggested buying 65 B-17s. Development continued on the Boeing Model 299, and on 30 October 1935, army air corps test-pilot Major Ployer Peter Hill and Boeing employee Les Tower took the Model 299 on a second evaluation flight. The crew forgot to disengage the "gust locks", a system of devices integral to the design that held the bomber's movable control surfaces in place while the aircraft was parked on the ground.

After take-off, due to the failure to manually disengage all of the gust locks, the aircraft entered a steep climb, stalled, nosed over, and crashed, killing Hill and Tower (other observers survived with injuries). The crashed Model 299 could not finish the evaluation and, while the air corps was still enthusiastic about the aircraft's potential, army officials were daunted by the much greater expense per aircraft (Douglas quoted a unit price of $58,200 based on a production order of 220 aircraft, compared with a price of $99,620 from Boeing), and as the competition could not be completed Boeing was legally disqualified from the consideration for the contract. Army Chief of Staff Malin Craig cancelled the order for 65 YB-17s, and ordered 133 of the twin-engine Douglas B-18 Bolo instead.

General characteristics Crew: 10: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier/nose gunner, flight engineer-top turret gunner, radio operator, waist gunners (2), ball turret gunner, tail gunner Length: 74 ft 4 in (22.66 m) Wingspan: 103 ft 9 in (31.62 m) Height: 19 ft 1 in (5.82 m) Wing area: 1,420 ft (131.92 m) Airfoil: NACA 0018 / NACA 0010 Empty weight: 36,135 lb (16,391 kg) Loaded weight: 54,000 lb (24,495 kg) Max takeoff weight: 65,500 lb (29710 kg) Powerplant: 4 x Wright R-1820-97 "Cyclone" turbosupercharged radial engines, 1,200 hp (895 kW) each Performance Maximum speed: 287 mph (249 knots, 4

62 km/h) Cruise speed: 182 mph (158 knots, 293 km/h) Range: 1,738 nmi (2,000 mi, 3,219 km) with 2,722 kg (6,000 lb) bombload Service ceiling 35,600 ft (10,850 m) Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s) Wing loading: 38.0 lb/ft (185.7 kg/m) Power/mass: 0.089 hp/lb (150 W/kg) Armament Guns: 13 x M2 Browning .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns in twin turrets, plus single dorsal, fore and aft beam positions (with optional extra nose armament fitted in glazed nose).

Bombs: Theoretically, a B-17G could carry 12,800lb (5,800kg) in the fuselage bomb bay. Short range missions (less than 400 mi): 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) Long range missions (about 800 mi): 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) SR-71 Online - The Role of USAAF Aircraft During WW2 Home » Military Aircraft Information Gallery » The Role of USAAF Aircraft During WW2 What is now known as the United States Air Force evolved drastically leading up to and during World War II. New technology made it possible to travel higher and faster than before. Bombers could carry more weapons than during the Great War and the role of air combat became increasingly important. What started as the Air Corps, later evolved into the Army Air Force or USAAF, and now the USAF. The aircraft used by the Air Force had a very important role leading up to and during World War II, and their development is part of our American history.

All metal airplanes could be mass-produced by the early 1930s due to advances in aircraft design and construction. Although there were aircraft made of all metal during the Great War, most aircraft during and before the 1920s were made of wood and fabric. Produced between 1932 and 1933, the B-9 was the Air Corps' first all metal bomber. The B-9 was surpassed by the all-metal Martin B-10 and only seven B-9s were bought. The Consolidated P-25 was the Air Corps' first all metal fighter and was built in 1933; only two were ordered. The first all-metal fighter that was ordered in quantity was the Boeing P-26. There were 139 purchased between the years 1932 and 1936.1 An event to remember in Air Force history was in March 1935 when the War Department founded the General Headquarters of the Air Force. The Air Force then shifted to serving as a central striking force for long-range assault and observation to defend United States coastal areas and islands under United States occupation from attack by sea.

This went far beyond the traditional role of supporting Army ground troops on the battlefield. However, to be operative, the General Headquarters of the Air Force needed something that was not yet available, the long-range bomber. It was through this need for a strategic bomber that the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was developed.2 During the summer of 1935, Boeing made public its Model 299. It was an outstanding four engine, high-speed, long-range, heavy bomber, that eventually was designated the B-17. The B-17 is one of the most well known bombers of all time. It became famous during the daylight bombing raids over Europe.3 The aircraft had thirteen machine guns and appeared to be a flying "fortress in the sky."2 The first B-17s went into combat in the year 1941 when the Royal Air Force purchased several B-17s for high-altitude missions. As World War II became more intense, these bombers needed additional armament and armor. Boeing built 6,981 B-17s in various models.

Most of them were scrapped at the end of the war with only a few remaining today.4 The Consolidated B-24 was designed in 1938 to attempt to improve on the performance of the B-17 Flying Fortress. The design incorporated a new wing design optimized for high-lift and low drag, and tricycle landing gear versus tail draggers like the B-17. The prototype B-24 was ordered in March of 1939 and the first flight on 29 December 1939. They had so much confidence in the new aircraft that seven, service test aircraft were ordered before the final design was complete. In addition, thirty-eight B-24As were ordered in August of 1939 before the prototype has its first flight.5 The B-24 Liberator was the most extensively built of all of the United States wartime aircraft. The aircraft served in all theaters of combat and delivered large bomb loads over long distances.

The B-24s that were operating with the US Navy were known as PB4Ys, and B-24s modified as transports were designated C-87s.6 The 75mm cannon had an important role during the war. In 1939, Wright Field modified a B-18 for placement of a 75mm cannon in its underside. However, the results were less successful than anticipated. This was the first attempt to mate a 75mm weapon to an airplane. During the war, 75mm cannons were placed in B-25G Mitchell aircraft and used successfully against Japanese shipping and shore facilities.7 The North American B-25 Mitchell was a very versatile medium bomber that was used on all fronts.8 Even though the airplane was originally designed for level bombing from medium altitudes, it was used extensively in the Pacific area for bombing Japanese airfields. The United States Army Air Force was not the only service to use the B-25 Mitchell. Over 700 aircraft were sent to the U.S. Navy and Marines.9 One of the most historically famous aircraft of all-time, the B-29 Superfortress, played an important role during the war.

It was the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Boeing B-29 was designed in 1940 as a replacement for the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator. The aircraft made its first flight on 21 September 1942. In December of 1943, the Army Air Force decided not to use the B-29 in the European Theater. It was sent to the Pacific area where its great range made it suited for long flights over the Pacific Ocean required to attack the Japanese mainland. In November and December of 1944, B-29s began operating against Japan from the islands of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian.10 In May of 1940, President Roosevelt called for the production of 50,000 military airplanes in a year, due to the decaying military situation in Europe. This was an incredible increase in production from the 1,800 produced in 1938. Many expansion programs were allowed, and aircraft production began to climb rapidly.

The pilot training program was also accelerated due to the need for new pilots to fly these 50,000 airplanes.11 When the United States went to war in 1941, the War Department looked to the civil airlines for aid in gaining additional aircraft, developing new flight routes, and transporting cargo and passengers on contract over domestic and foreign routes. Thousands of new transport planes were ordered and pilot reserves were called to active duty. On 20 June 1942, the Ferrying Command became known as the Air Transport Command with responsibility for ferrying aircraft, transporting personnel, mail, and maintaining air route facilities outside of the United States. Near the end of the war, the command had more than 3,000 transport aircraft in use and had become the safeguard of the United States Army Air Force.12 This great expansion made it very important for better cooperation between the Air Corps and the Air Force Combat Command, formerly the General Headquarters of the Air Force. They were independent at the time; the Air Corps was responsible for material and training functions and the Air Force Combat Command was responsible for operational functions.

As a result, the United States Army Air Forces was created on 20 June 1941 to unify the two. By December of 1941, the Army Air Force had grown to 354,000 men as compared to 26,000 men in September of 1939.13 There were five aircraft that took the majority of the fighter combat action during the war. Among these are the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Bell P-39 Airacobra, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and the North American P-51 Mustang.14 In February of 1937, the Air Corps needed a long-range interceptor and escort aircraft. This aircraft needed to be able to maintain a speed of 360 mph at an altitude of 20,000 feet. Lockheed was able to meet these requirements, came up with a somewhat radical design for the time and was awarded the contract to build the P-38.15 The Lockheed P-38 first flew on 27 January 1939 and entered service in June of 1941.

Late in 1942, the P-38 went into large-scale operations during the North African campaign where the German Luftwaffe named it "Der Gabelschwanz Teufel" or "The Forked-Tail Devil." When production ended in 1945, more than 9,900 P-38s had been built.16 Like the P-38, the Bell P-39 Airacobra was also one of the primary pursuit airplanes in December of 1941. The first flight was in April of 1939 at Wright Field. By the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, almost 600 had been built.17 The Airacobra was used in many parts of the world, but specifically in the Southwest Pacific, Mediterranean and Russian theaters. It performed best below 17,000 feet in altitude, and was often used at lower altitudes such as ground strafing.

When P-39 production ended in August 1944, Bell had built 9,584.18 The P-40 Warhawk was developed from the P-36 and first flew in May of 1935. P-40s engaged on Japanese aircraft during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of the Philippines in December of 1941. This extremely rugged aircraft served in many combat areas including the Aleutian Islands, Italy, the Middle East, the Far East, and the Southwest Pacific. In the end, more than 14,000 had been built.19 The P-47 first flew on 6 May 1941, but the first production aircraft was not sent to the United States Army Air Force until 18 March 1942. The aircraft flew its first combat mission on 8 April of 1943, taking off from Great Britain in a course over western Europe. Army Air Force pilots quickly learned that the Thunderbolt could out-dive any Luftwaffe airplane that it met.

The P-47 also escorted Army Air Force heavy bombers into German territory.20 Furthermore, the P-47 was recognized as a low-level fighter-bomber due to its ability to absorb battle damage and keep flying. At the war's end, the Thunderbolt had been used in every war theater besides Alaska.21 One of the most well known historical fighters, the North American P-51 Mustang was originally designed for Great Britain in 1940. The United States Army Air Force liked the design and began purchasing them in 1941 for photo reconnaissance and ground support use because it had limited high-altitude performance.22 In 1942, a different engine revealed much improved speed and high-altitude performance. Consequently, in December of 1943, these improved P-51s entered combat over Europe. Supplying high-altitude escort to B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators, they worked wonderfully over German interceptors. By the end of the war, P-51s had destroyed over 4,500 enemy aircraft in the air, more than any other fighter in Europe.

P-51 Mustangs served in almost every combat theater, including the Pacific where they escorted B-29 Superfortresses to Japan from Iwo Jima. Between 1941 and 1945, the Army Air Force ordered 14,855 P-51 Mustangs.23 Many conditions set the war against Japan apart from that conducted in Europe and North Africa. The most significant was an agreement between the United States and Great Britain giving priority to defeating Germany and Italy after meeting the requirements in men and materials to maintain enough defense against Japan. This agreement and the immense distances from the United States to the combat areas created major problems in supplying forces in the Pacific. The war against the Japanese was also depicted by many health and morale problems.24 Army Air Force units worked under some of the worst conditions with crews sleeping next to their aircraft and having to maintain their aircraft themselves. Disease caused many casualties in the tropics. Boredom and exhaustion produced morale problems among units stationed in remote areas.25 In conclusion, the Air Force and its aircraft played an important role during World War II.

Whether it was small and known as the Air Corps, or when it became larger and was called the Army Air Force, the goal was the same. It was not long after the war before the Air Force was officially established as the USAF. The National Security Act of 1947 established the Department of Defense and a separate Air Force, which defends our skies today.26 End Notes Warbird Flight Demo Aircraft | Wings over Waukesha Please make a donation to Wings Over Waukesha Map Thank You 2014 Sponsors Warbird Flight Demo Aircraft Warbird Flight Demonstrations included the following aircraft. These aircraft were on static display while not in flight: ‘Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress’ Owner: EAA History: The Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” is a World War II bomber used primarily in Europe, participated in countless missions from bases in England. These missions often lasted for more than eight hours and struck at targets deep within enemy territory. Because of their long-range capability, formations of B-17s often flew into battle with no fighter escort, relying on their own defensive capabilities to insure a successful mission.

MIG-17 Owner: Kaney Aerospace History: The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the USSR from 1952 and operated by numerous air forces in many variants. It is an advanced development of the very similar appearing MiG-15 of the Korean War. The MiG-17 first saw combat in 1958 over the Straits of Taiwan and was used as an effective threat against supersonic fighters of the United States in the Vietnam War. ‘T-37 Tweet’ Owner: Jim Allen History: The Cessna T-37 Tweet is a small, economical twin-engine jet trainer-attack type aircraft which was a primary pilot training vehicle for over 52 years. 1,269 Cessna T-37s were built, with 419 still serving in the United States Air Force in 2006. The T-37A was very noisy, even by the standards of a jet aircraft. The jet emitted a high-pitched piercing whistle that quickly gave the T-37 its name: “Tweety Bird”, or just “Tweet”.

‘Grumman TBF Avenger’ (Status: Sunday Only) Owner: Brad Deckert History: The Grumman Avenger was a carrier-borne torpedo aircraft and light bomber, with cabins for a crew of three, pilot, observer and TAG. Originally the Fleet Air Arm named the aircraft the Grumman Tarpon, changing to Avenger in January 1944. The Avenger was Grumman’s first torpedo aircraft, and its robust design had much in common with that of the Company’s fighters. One notable Avenger pilot was future American President George H. W. Bush, flying a TBM Avenger off the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) in 1944. North American T6/Harvard Owner: Vic Stottlemyer History: Advanced Trainer, Flying formation, gunnery, bombing training. Trained more allied pilots in WW2 than any other aircraft.Used by a number of countries in the ground attack/FAC role. Delivered to the RCAF Dec 1951. In service until 1965. Painted in it’s exact RCAF colors and markings.

Beechcraft T-34 “Mentor” Owner: History: The T-34 Mentor is the brainchild of Walter Beech, who developed it as the Beechcraft Model 45 private venture at a time when there was no defense budget for a new trainer model. Beech hoped to sell it as an economical alternative to the North American T-6 Texan, then in use by all services of the U.S. military. North American P-51D Mustang Owner: History: One of the most effective, famous and beautiful fighter aircraft of WWII, the P-51 was designed to fulfill a British requirement dated April 1940. Because of the rapidly-mounting clouds of war in Europe, the UK asked North American Aircraft to design and build a new fighter in only 120 days. The first Merlin-engine versions appeared in 1943 with the P-51B, of which 1,988 were built in Inglewood, California, and the P-51C, of which 1,750 were built in Dallas, Texas.

In the last 40 years, surplus Mustangs have been modified and used extensively as civilian air racers, but the latest trend is for private owners to restore them to almost perfect, historically-accurate condition. F-86F-30 Sabre Owner: Warbird Heritage Foundation History: The North American F-86 Sabre was designed in the 1940′s as a subsonic fighter aircraft. The Sabre entered service with the United States Air Force in 1949. The F-86 saw action and became the primary U.S. air combat fighter in the Korean War. Various models were produced in day fighter, fighter-bomber, and all-weather interceptor configurations with a variety of armaments. U.S. production of the Sabre ended in December, 1956. Lockheed T-33 “Shooting Star” aka “T-Bird” Owner: Paul Keppeler (right) History: The T-33 was the most widely used jet trainer in the world. A two-seat version of the USAF’s first jet fighter, the F-80 Shooting Star, the T-33 continues to serve in various armed forces today.

Cessna L-19 “Bird Dog” What are some facts about WWII bomber planes? | Reference.com What are some facts about WWII bomber planes? A: Quick Answer During World War II, the United States used a variety of bomber planes for air combat, tactical bombing raids and ground support. These bombers included the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress and the Douglas A-26 Invader. Additional bombers included the Boeing B-25 Mitchell, which made bombing runs on Tokyo at the command of James Doolittle, and the TBF Avenger, the most successful torpedo bomber used by the Americans during the war. Full Answer The B-17 Flying Fortress made bombing runs in both the Pacific and European theaters. It made its name performing daylight, long-range bombing runs with the purpose of taking out military targets such as industrial buildings. It used a Norden bombsight to help hit targets accurately from its altitudes and presented the ability to withstand battle damage. The military used the B-29 Superfortress predominately in the Pacific theater, where it was the aircraft that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

One of the popular light bomber aircraft, the A-26 Invader completed 11,567 missions and only lost 67 aircraft in Europe over the course of World War II. The bomber dropped 18,054 tons of bombs in Europe, although the military used the bomber in both the Pacific and Europe theaters. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Pilot Training Manual - VintageDocs.com Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Pilot Training Manual Vintage Pilot’s Manual For WWII-Era Bomber Price: $1.99 The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). The B-17 was primarily employed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial and military targets.

The United States Eighth Air Force, based at many airfields in southern England, and the Fifteenth Air Force, based in Italy, complemented the RAF Bomber Command’s nighttime area bombing in the Combined Bomber Offensive to help secure air superiority over the cities, factories and battlefields of Western Europe in preparation for the invasion of France in 1944. From its pre-war inception, the USAAC (later USAAF) touted the aircraft as a strategic weapon; it was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself, and to return home despite extensive battle damage. Its reputation quickly took on mythic proportions, and widely circulated stories and photos of notable numbers and examples of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status. Now own the manual the pilot’s used to command this legendary machine. Full of charts, diagrams and coverage of all the B-17 systems. Full-text search; 106 pages. B-17 Flying Fortress Sample

Question: What was the nickname for the Boeing B-17 long-range bomber used in World War II?
Answer: Flying Fortress