Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress model airplane

Call toll free to order. 888-407-0296

Products

TiffanyLamps
WorldGlobes
Sailing Ships
Model Plane
Canes
Christian Gift

On July 28, 1935, the Model 299 (B-17) flew for the first time; just over three weeks later the airplane was flown nonstop to Wright Field, Ohio, to be handed over for official test and evaluation. The 2,100-mile flight had been made at an average speed of 252 mph, a most impressive performance. The B-17F and B-17G had redesigned and enlarged tail surfaces, and were recognizable from their predecessors by the large dorsal fin. These airplanes were then the most advanced developments of the B-17, but in two major operations against German strategic targets, made on August 17, and October 14, 1943, a total of 120 airplanes were lost. Clearly the Fortresses could not mount an adequate defense, no matter how cleverly devised was the box formation in which they flew. The hard truth was that without adequate long-range fighter escort these airplanes were very vulnerable to attack during mass daylight operations. Many of the losses were attributed to head-on attack, and the final major production version of the airplane was planned to offset this shortcoming. Thus, the B-17Gs had beneath the fuselage nose a "chin" turret, housing two 50-caliber machine guns. Although used most extensively in Europe and the Middle East, the B-17 Flying Fortress was operational in every area where US forces were fighting. In the Pacific Theater this airplane offered invaluable service for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and conventional and close-support bombing. A total of almost 13,000 B-17s were built. The B-17G was powered by four 1,200-hp Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone turbocharged radial piston engines, giving the airplane a maximum speed of 287 mph at 25,000 feet, cruising speed of 182 mph, service ceiling of 35,800 feet, and a range with 6,000-lb bombload of 2,000 miles. Airplane armament was thirteen 50-caliber machine guns, plus up to 17,600 lbs. of bombs.