B-17 Flying Fortress in Action
By David Doyle
2010
First Published
3.82
Average Rating
80
Number of Pages
Part of Series
The B-17 Flying Fortress dropped more bombs than any other US aircraft in WWII and is arguably the iconic bomber of that epic conflict. During the 10 years in which it was produced, a total of 12,731 of the B-17 heavy bombers rolled off the assembly lines of Boeing, Douglas Aircraft, and Lockheed’s subsidiary Vega. First flown in 1935, the aircraft was repeatedly modified, upgraded, and perfected in response to combat experience. Also highlights the roles played by individual aircraft and their crews, including Memphis Belle, which completed 25 missions over enemy territory; Stage Door Canteen, christened by Winston Churchill’s daughter; and All American, which demonstrated the incredible toughness of the Flying Fortress by returning safely to base despite having its tail nearly sheared off by a Messerschmitt.
Avg Rating
3.82
Number of Ratings
11
5 STARS
27%
4 STARS
45%
3 STARS
9%
2 STARS
18%
1 STARS
0%
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