2012-04-07 03:53:31. B-17, also called Flying Fortress, U.S. heavy bomber used during World War II. [36], A 14th Y1B-17 (37-369), originally constructed for ground testing of the airframe's strength, was upgraded by Boeing with exhaust-driven General Electric turbo-superchargers, and designated Y1B-17A. [160][161], The USAF Air Rescue Service of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) operated B-17s as so-called "Dumbo" air-sea rescue aircraft. [7] The USAAF bombers attacked by day, with British operations chiefly against industrial cities by night. Mayday! When bombers crashed in Switzerland - SWI swissinfo.ch Frisbee, John L. "Valor: 'Valor at its Highest'". Posted on . [176] In a well-publicized mission on 12 May of the same year, three Y1B-17s "intercepted" and took photographs of the Italian ocean liner SS Rex 610 miles (980km) off the Atlantic coast. [90] The device was able to determine, from variables put in by the bombardier, the point at which the aircraft's bombs should be released to hit the target. It was a four engine, heavy bomber which first flew on July 28, 1935. In fact, he wasn't a pilot at all . 12962; History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons: Volume 2: The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and VP(AM) Squadrons, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress&oldid=1141348576. There are very few films left in existence showing the Me 262 in action, especially shooting down allied bombers with P-51 escorts. The "D" model, later deemed an obsolescent design, was used in Japanese training and propaganda films. And of those 276,000 planes, 68,000 were lost. Flight crews ferried the bombers back across the Atlantic to the United States where the majority were sold for scrap and melted down, although significant numbers remained in use in second-line roles such as VIP transports, air-sea rescue and photo-reconnaissance. Clearly, something had to be done because the bomber was not getting through. [99], Since the airfield bombings were not appreciably reducing German fighter strength, additional B-17 groups were formed, and Eaker ordered major missions deeper into Germany against important industrial targets. [75] In the campaign against German aircraft forces in preparation for the invasion of France, B-17 and B-24 raids were directed against German aircraft production while their presence drew the Luftwaffe fighters into battle with Allied fighters.[7]. The first combat use of the B-17 came not with the USAAC (U.S. Army Air Forces after 1941), but with the Royal Air Force. [40] The Y1B-17A had a maximum speed of 311 miles per hour (501km/h), at its best operational altitude, compared to 239 miles per hour (385km/h) for the Y1B-17. They were also used to provide search and rescue support for B-29 raids against Japan. ", "Chapter 18: Rouen-Sotteville, No. What was the life expectancy of a B-17 crewman flying over - Quora The first bomber to hit Japan after Pearl Harbor, the B-25 Mitchell was found in every theater of the war and was a rugged, multipurpose bomber beloved by her aircrew for its survivability and ease to fly. Next worst were the P-39 at 245, the P-40 at 188, and the P-38 at 139. Frisbee, John L. "Valor: Battle Over Bougainville". [103] Additionally, 122 bombers were damaged and needed repairs before their next flights. [98], Operation Pointblank opened with attacks on targets in Western Europe. [143] This durability, together with the large operational numbers in the Eighth Air Force and the fame achieved by the Memphis Belle, made the B-17 a key bomber aircraft of the war. [101] While the attack was successful at disrupting the entire works, severely curtailing work there for the remainder of the war, it was at an extreme cost. Categories Video World War II Related Topics World War II Captured B-17 Bombers in World War II - warhistoryonline The SB-17 served through the Korean War, remaining in service with USAF until the mid-1950s. [160][163] Coast Guard PB-1Gs were stationed at a number of bases in the U.S. and Newfoundland, with five at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, two at CGAS San Francisco, two at NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, one at CGAS Kodiak, Alaska, and one in Washington state. Leonard "Smitty" Smith Humiston, co-pilot on First Lieutenant Robert H. Richards' B-17C, AAF S/N 40-2049, reported that he thought the U.S. Navy was giving the flight a 21-gun salute to celebrate the arrival of the bombers, after which he realized that Pearl Harbor was under attack. [11] It combined features of the company's experimental XB-15 bomber and 247 transport. This. Some SB-17s had their defensive guns removed, while others retained their guns to allow use close to combat areas. How many B 52 bombers were shot down in Vietnam? - 2023 The authors of a photo book about the planes and . [103] Early versions of the Fw 190, one of the best German interceptor fighters, were equipped with two 20mm (0.79in) MG FF cannons, which carried only 500 rounds when belt-fed (normally using 60-round drum magazines in earlier installations), and later with the better Mauser MG 151/20 cannons, which had a longer effective range than the MG FF weapon. 21) rocket mortar by the Luftwaffe in mid-August 1943 promised the introduction of a major "stand-off" style of offensive weapon one strut-mounted tubular launcher was fixed under each wing panel on the Luftwaffe's single-engine fighters, and two under each wing panel of a few twin-engine Bf 110 daylight Zerstrer aircraft. "[22][23], The crashed Model 299 could not finish the evaluation, disqualifying it from the competition. [149] Others, with the cover designations Dornier Do 200 and Do 288, were used as long-range transports by the Kampfgeschwader 200 special duties unit, carrying out agent drops and supplying secret airstrips in the Middle East and North Africa. Designed by Dr. Sanford Moss, engine exhaust gases turned the turbine's steel-alloy blades, forcing high-pressure ram air into the Wright Cyclone GR-1820-39 engine supercharger. [73] A squadron of B-17s from this force detached to the Middle East to join the First Provisional Bombardment Group, thus becoming the first American B-17 squadron to go to war against the Germans. On 2 March 1943, six B-17s of the 64th Squadron flying at 10,000ft (3,000m) attacked a major Japanese troop convoy off New Guinea, using skip bombing to sink Kyokusei Maru, which carried 1,200 army troops, and damage two other transports, Teiyo Maru and Nojima. American bomber numbers continued to build in Europe and attacks (and losses) began to build up. One B-17 broke up in the air, and its crew was forced to take to their parachutes. On 8 August 1934, the USAAC tendered a proposal for a multiengine bomber to replace the Martin B-10. Forty-five planes survive in complete form [1] [a], including 38 in the United States. In 1957 the surviving B-17s had been stripped of all weapons and painted black. A number of B-17Gs, redesignated B-17Hs and later SB-17Gs, were used in the Pacific during the final year of the war to carry and drop lifeboats to stranded bomber crews who had been shot down or crashed at sea. How many b17 bombers were lost in ww2? [email protected] Gift of Peggy Wallace, 2010.308.044, Group of B-17 bombers over Europe with vapor trail flowing behind them, 1944-45. [citation needed], In July 1945, 16 B-17s were transferred to the Coast Guard via the Navy; these aircraft were initially assigned U.S. Navy Bureau Numbers (BuNo), but were delivered to the Coast Guard designated as PB-1Gs beginning in July 1946. ", "Question How many bomber flight crews completed their 25 missions to go home?". M/SGT Michael Arooth shot down 17 enemy aircraft to reach triple "Ace" status. ", "WWII gunner 'Babe' Broyhill dies: Set record for downing Nazi jets", "100th Bomb Group Foundation Personnel LT COL Robert ROSENTHAL", "The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944). The Soviets restored 23 to flying condition and concentrated them in the 890th bomber regiment of the 45th Bomber Aviation Division,[153] but they never saw combat. Tragically, the plane stalled and spun into the ground soon after takeoff, bursting into flames. [136][137] Luftwaffe fighter pilots likened attacking a B-17 combat box formation to encountering a fliegendes Stachelschwein, "flying porcupine", with dozens of machine guns in a combat box aimed at them from almost every direction. World War 2 . 223 Squadron, as part of 100 Group, operated a number of Fortresses equipped with an electronic warfare system known as "Airborne Cigar" (ABC). Frisbee, John L. "Valor: Crisis in the Cockpit". [41], Opposition to the air corps' ambitions for the acquisition of more B-17s faded, and in late 1937, 10 more aircraft designated B-17B were ordered to equip two bombardment groups, one on each U.S. [79][80] On 24 July three B-17s of 90 Squadron took part in a raid on the German capital ship Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen anchored in Brest from 30,000ft (9,100 m), with the objective of drawing German fighters away from 18 Handley Page Hampdens attacking at lower altitudes, and in time for 79 Vickers Wellingtons to attack later with the German fighters refuelling. He finished the war with 9 enemy planes destroyed. World War II: Schweinfurt-Regensburg Raid Summary - ThoughtCo This type replaced the vulnerable twin-engine Zerstrer heavy fighters which could not survive interception by P-51 Mustangs flying well ahead of the combat boxes in an air supremacy role starting very early in 1944 to clear any Luftwaffe defensive fighters from the skies. How many Cobras were shot down in Vietnam? - 2023 The experience showed both the RAF and USAAF that the B-17C was not ready for combat, and that improved defenses, larger bomb loads and more accurate bombing methods were required. Quote: "At the peak of production, Boeing was rolling out as many as 363 B-17s a month, averaging between 14 and 16 Forts a day, the most incredible production rate for large aircraft in aviation history." How many B-17s were shot down? - Wise-Answer To enhance performance at slower speeds, the B-17B was altered to include larger rudders and flaps. The loss was not total but Boeing's hopes for a substantial bomber contract were dashed. How many B-17 were shot down over Germany? Footage of a B-17 bombing raid that was attacked by German flak and Bf-109's in which bombers are hit and shot down. This production rate was, however, surpassed by that of the, This is a commonly misreported error. List of surviving Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses - Wikipedia The current total of surviving B-17 bombers located in the United States stands at 40: Nine (9) B-17 planes are airworthy, such as "Texas Raiders", "Sentimental Journey" and "Aluminum Overcast". Study now. In July 1940, an order for 512 B-17s was issued,[43] but at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, fewer than 200 were in service with the army. For this reason, he wanted B-17 bombers and P-51 fighters for the Eighth. This led to more widespread conversion of B-17s as drones and drone control aircraft, both for further use in atomic testing and as targets for testing surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The ammunition load was over 11,000 rounds. Though many were shot down, many more severely damaged aircraft were able to return their crews safely to base. All were Allison powered. This was operated by German-speaking radio operators who were to identify and jam German ground controllers' broadcasts to their nightfighters. [9] Requirements were for it to carry a "useful bombload" at an altitude of 10,000ft (3,000m) for 10 hours with a top speed of at least 200mph (320km/h).[10]. By 1944, a further upgrade to Rheinmetall-Borsig's 30mm (1.2in) MK 108 cannons mounted either in the wing, or in underwing, conformal mount gun pods, was made for the Sturmbock Focke-Wulfs as either the /R2 or /R8 field modification kits, enabling aircraft to bring a bomber down with just a few hits.[103]. The Me 262, however, had moderate success against the B-17 late in the war. [125][126] The remaining seven transports and three of the eight destroyers were then sunk by a combination of low level strafing runs by Royal Australian Air Force Beaufighters, and skip bombing by USAAF North American B-25 Mitchells at 100ft (30m), while B-17s claimed five hits from higher altitudes. The first Eighth Air Force units arrived in High Wycombe, England, on 12 May 1942, to form the 97th Bomb Group. The operation, which involved remotely flying Aphrodite drones onto their targets by accompanying CQ-17 "mothership" control aircraft, was approved on 26 June 1944, and assigned to the 388th Bombardment Group stationed at RAF Fersfield, a satellite of RAF Knettishall. They were chosen specifically for these missions as being more suitable for this role than other available German aircraft; they never attempted to deceive the Allies and always wore full Luftwaffe markings. Frisbee, John L. "Valor: Rabaul on a Wing and a Prayer". Sakai, Saburo with Martin Caidin and Fred Saito. [30] One suggestion adopted was the use of a preflight checklist to avoid accidents such as that which befell the Model 299. Horrific WWII Statistics His views were supported by Eighth Air Force statisticians, whose mission studies showed that the Flying Fortress's utility and survivability was much greater than those of the B-24 Liberator. As of November 2022, four aircraft remain airworthy, none flown in combat. The B-17s were primarily involved in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign against German targets ranging from U-boat pens, docks, warehouses, and airfields to industrial targets such as aircraft factories. In 1946 (or 1947, according to Holm) the regiment was assigned to the Kazan factory (moving from Baranovichi) to aid in the Soviet effort to reproduce the more advanced Boeing B-29 as the Tupolev Tu-4. This aircraft, now restored to its original B-17G configuration, was on display in the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon until it was sold to the Collings Foundation in 2015. One of the two "E" Flying Fortresses was photographed late in the war by U. S. aerial recon. They were brave. They also believed they had an aircraft which could fight its way in and out of the target area, unescorted, and return home safely. [135] In order to more quickly form these formations, assembly ships, planes with distinctive paint schemes, were utilized to guide bombers into formation, saving assembly time. Japanese fighter pilots machine-gunned some of the B-17 crew members as they descended and attacked others in the water after they landed. [140], After the first Y1B-17s were delivered to the Army Air Corps 2nd Bombardment Group, they were used on flights to promote their long range and navigational capabilities. Linn joined The National WWII Museum staff in 2014 andservedas a Curator until 2020. This made a formation of bombers a dangerous target to engage by enemy fighters. [123] The allied fighter pilots claimed 15 Zeros destroyed, while the B-17 crews claimed five more. The small force of B-17s operated against the Japanese invasion force until they were withdrawn to Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory. While models A through D of the B-17 were designed defensively, the large-tailed B-17E was the first model primarily focused on offensive warfare. [34][35] The 13th Y1B-17 was delivered to the Material Division at Wright Field, Ohio, to be used for flight testing. Gr. The aircraft was turned over to the Swiss Air Force, who then flew the bomber until the end of the war, using other interned but non-airworthy B-17s for spare parts. Major General Frank Maxwell Andrews of the GHQ Air Force believed that the capabilities of large four-engined aircraft exceeded those of shorter-ranged, twin-engined aircraft, and that the B-17 was better suited to new, emerging USAAC doctrine. [150][151] One B-17 of KG200, bearing the Luftwaffe's KG 200 Geschwaderkennung (combat wing code) markings A3+FB, was interned by Spain when it landed at Valencia airfield, 27 June 1944, remaining there for the rest of the war. Arriving over the target, LeMay's bombers encountered little flak and were able to place approximately 300 tons . Assembly Ships", "Polka Dot Warriors > Vintage Wings of Canada", "Excerpts from B-17 Pilot Training Manual (The Story of the B-17). Did the gunners aboard B-17 bombers in WWII manage to shoot down enemy The XB-38 was an engine testbed for Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engines, should the Wright engines normally used on the B-17 become unavailable. [7] Attacks began in April 1943 on heavily fortified key industrial plants in Bremen and Recklinghausen. Meantime 60 B-17's were lost to all causes (including flak). Over 5,000 B-17 bombers were lost in combat missions in world war II. [115] When the FEAF received word of the attack on Pearl Harbor, General Lewis H. Brereton sent his bombers and fighters on various patrol missions to prevent them from being caught on the ground. [116] A series of disputed discussions and decisions, followed by several confusing and false reports of air attacks, delayed the authorization of the sortie. [166] Perhaps the most famous B-17, the Memphis Belle, has been restored with the B-17D The Swoose under way to her World War II wartime appearance by the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. [87], The air corps renamed United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on 20 June 1941 used the B-17 and other bombers to bomb from high altitudes with the aid of the then-secret Norden bombsight, known as the "Blue Ox",[88][89] which was an optical electromechanical gyrostabilized analog computer. Relatively fast and high-flying for a bomber of its era, the B-17 was used primarily in the European Theater of Operations and dropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II. Create. As each of these wounded airplanes returned, the legend of the B-17 grew. B-17s flown by the Eighth saw some of the fiercest combat of the war. Frisbee, John L. "Valor: The Right Touch". Japanese activity forced them to divert from Hickam Field to Bellows Field. The YB-40s with their numerous heavy modifications had trouble keeping up with the lighter bombers once they had dropped their bombs, so the project was abandoned and finally phased out in July 1943. When bombers crashed in Switzerland. The project came to a sudden end with the unexplained midair explosion over the Blyth estuary of a B-24, part of the United States Navy's contribution as "Project Anvil", en route for Heligoland piloted by Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., future U.S. president John F. Kennedy's elder brother. The aircraft was powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet radial engines, each producing 750 hp (600 kW) at 7,000 ft (2,100 m). Depends on when they flew. ", "Second-Generation Norden Bombsight Vault", "Aviation Photography: B-17 Flying Fortress. Gr. Unlike the fighter pilots, individual bomber gunners did not receive official credit for any of their shootdowns. British authorities were anxious that no similar accidents should again occur, and the Aphrodite project was scrapped in early 1945. [21] Doyle notes, "The loss of Hill and Tower, and the Model 299, was directly responsible for the creation of the modern written checklist used by pilots to this day. A sobering statistic: Out of 1,419 Loaches built, 842 were destroyed in Vietnam, most shot down and many others succumbing to crashes resulting from low-level flying. ", Frisbee, John L. "Valor: One Turning and One Burning. [103] Pilots of average ability hit the bombers with only about two percent of the rounds they fired, so to obtain 20 hits, the average pilot had to fire one thousand 20mm (0.79in) rounds at a bomber. [64][65][66] The final production blocks of the B-17F from Douglas' plants did, however, adopt the YB-40's "chin turret", giving them a much-improved forward defense capability. How many helicopters were shot down in Vietnam? Almost all of the other bombers suffered some level of damage. Some of the German pilots had been flying in combat since 1936. More than 250 aircraft crashed or made emergency landings in Switzerland during the Second World War. 7071, 83, 92, 256, 26869. Artists who served on the bomber units also created paintings and drawings depicting the combat conditions in World War II. By the time the B-17s and escorting Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters were about to get airborne, they were destroyed by Japanese bombers of the 11th Air Fleet. 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 The resulting "Combined Bomber Offensive" weakened the Wehrmacht, destroyed German morale, and established air superiority through Operation Pointblank's destruction of German fighter strength in preparation for a ground offensive. Of the 291 attacking Fortresses, 60 were shot down over Germany, five crashed on approach to Britain, . In October 1943 the Swiss interned Boeing B-17F-25-VE, tail number 25841, and its U.S. flight crew after the Flying Fortress developed engine trouble after a raid over Germany and was forced to land. In January 1938, group commander Colonel Robert Olds flew a Y1B-17 from the U.S. east coast to the west coast, setting a transcontinental record of 13 hours 27 minutes. ", "Giant Bomber Flies Four Miles Per Minute. Eighty years ago, the Red Army managed to stop, contain, and ultimately defeat the largest German army on the Eastern Front. The oldest of these is a D-series flown in combat in the Pacific on the first day of the United States' involvement in World War II. Later versions carried four or even six MG 151/20 cannon and twin 13mm machine guns. On 1 June, Seigrist and Price returned and picked up Smith and LeSchack using a Fulton Skyhook system installed on the B-17.
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