|
In 1934 the US Army specified a heavy
bomber with up to 900 kg of bombs, more than 320 Km / h speed and up to
3000 Km range. Boeing built the Model 299, a four-engine monoplane. The
prototype was destroyed on takeoff, but the USAAC went ahead with the project,
ordering 13 aircraft designated YB-17. Later developments of the B-17 "Flying
Fortress" included more powerful engines, increased payload and heavier
armament. It first saw active service in 1941 with the RAF flying high-altitude
missions.
Early models included the B-17C, some of which
were fired upon by American gunners when they attempted to land at Pearl
Harbor of Dec 17th 1941. The Fortress I was powered by four 1,200 hp Wright
R-1820-65 engines and was armed with seven 30 caliber guns.
Among other models, Boeing built 3400 of the B-17F
model and 8685 of the B-17G. At peak production, the Seattle plant rolled
out 16 aircraft in 24 hours.
Boeing B17 Flying Fortress
| First Flown: |
July 28, 1935 (Model 299) |
| Span: |
103 feet 9 inches [31.6m] (B-17G) |
| Length: |
74 feet 9 inches [22.6m] (B-17G) |
| Gross weight: |
65,000 pounds (B-17G) |
| Top speed: |
287 mph (B-17G) |
| Cruising speed: |
150 mph (B-17G) - later models up to 287 mph |
| Range: |
3,750 miles (B-17G) |
| Ceiling: |
35,600 feet (B-17G) |
| Power: |
Four 1,200-horsepower Wright R-1820-97 engines
(B-17G) |
| Crew of 9: |
2 pilots, bombardier, radio-operator, 5 gunners (B-17G) |
| Armament: |
11 to 13 .50 caliber machine guns, 20,000-pound bomb
load [8000kg] (B-17G) |
|
)
