The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most famous airplanes ever built. The prototype first flew July 28, 1935. The aircraft served in every WW2 combat zone but is best known for daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets. Production ended in May 1945, totaling 12,726 aircraft.
Specifications (B-17G)
B-17G Technical Data
Span103 ft 10 in
Length74 ft 4 in
Weight55,000 lbs loaded
Armament13 × .50-cal MGs, 6,000 lb bombs
Engines4 × Wright Cyclone R-1820, 1,200 hp each
Max Speed300 mph
Range1,850 miles
Ceiling35,000 ft
Cost$276,000
Variants
| Variant | Produced | First Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Model 299 | 1 | 28 Jul 1935 |
| YB-17 | 13 | 2 Dec 1936 |
| B-17B | 39 | 27 Jun 1939 |
| B-17E | 512 | 5 Sep 1941 |
| B-17F | 3,405 | 30 May 1942 |
| B-17G | 8,680 | Final version |