Page 316 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

314 WORLD WAR II LONG-RANGE HEAVY BOMBER Dorsal turret

1914–1945 BOEING B-17 Rear turret Tail fin Ventral (ball) turret Chin gun

ARS FLYING FORTRESS Plexiglass nose Cheek gun Radial engines
and rudder
CROSS SECTION

Conceived in the 1930s, the B-17 epitomized a new type of bomber

ORLD W aircraft, able to carry heavy loads over long distances. Supplied Dorsal gun Waist gun
to Great Britain by the US under the Lend-Lease Act, it became
one of the mainstays of the Allied bombing offensive in Europe.

when the aircraft was fueled for 2,000 miles
The B-17C was the first version to go to
THE W war, in July 1941, but only with the arrival (3,200km). The top speed was 287mph Waist gun
(462kph), although in mass formation the
of the B-17E two months later did the
aircraft begin to make its mark. Its reputation planes did not exceed 180mph (290kph).
was assured when the definitive B-17G was Flying by day made B-17s vulnerable, in PLAN VIEW
introduced in October 1943. spite of their heavy armament, but losses fell
For short-range missions, a B-17G could after long-range fighters were developed to BOMBER PROFILE
carry a 8,000lb (3,600kg) bomb load, but escort them. In all, 12,671 B-17s were built, The B-17 had a wingspan of 103¾ft (31.62m)
and measured 74⅓ft (22.66m) from nose to tail.
that was reduced to 6,000lb (2,700kg) and around 37 percent of these were lost. The huge tail fin gave the aircraft a distinctive profile.

THE STRUCTURE

▲ ROBUST UNDERCARRIAGE ▲ ALUMINUM SKIN
To support a loaded weight of almost 25.5 tonnes The wings and fuselage were
(25 tons), the undercarriage struts had to be robust, clad with light-gauge aluminum,
with massive hydraulic shock-absorbers. riveted to the frames underneath.

▲ WING ROOT
Construction was not sophisticated; no
effort was made to improve the airflow
by counter-sinking the fastenings.

▶ RADIAL ENGINE
The B-17’s four 1,200hp Wright
radial engines were equipped with
turbo-superchargers to improve
high-altitude performance.