In the mid-1930s engineers at Boeing
suggested the possibility of designing a modern long-range monoplane
bomber to the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1934 the USAAC issued Circular
35-26 that outlined specifications for a new bomber that was to have
a minimum payload of 2000 pounds, a cruising speed in excess of
200-MPH, and a range of at least 2000 miles. Boeing produced a
prototype at its own expense, the model 299, which first flew in
July of 1935. The 299 was a long-range bomber based largely on the
Model 247 airliner. The Model 299 had several advanced features
including an all-metal wing, an enclosed cockpit, retractable
landing gear, a fully enclosed bomb bay with electrically operated
doors, and cowled engines. With gun blisters glistening everywhere,
a newsman covering the unveiling coined the term “Flying Fortress”
to describe the new aircraft. After a few initial test flights the
299 flew off to Wright Field setting a speed record with an average
speed of 232-mph. At Wright Field the 299 bettered its competition
in almost all respects. However, an unfortunate crash of the
prototype in October of 1935 resulted in the Army awarding its
primary production contract to Douglas Aircraft for its DB-1 (B-18.)
The Army did order 13 test models of the 299 in January 1936, and
designated the new plane the Y1B-17. Early work on the B-17 was
plagued by many difficulties, including the crash of the first
Y1B-17 on its third flight, and nearly bankrupted the Company. Minor
quantities of the B-17B, B-17C, and B-17D variants were built, and
about 100 of these aircraft were in service at the time Pearl Harbor
was attacked. In fact a number of unarmed B-17s flew into the War at
the time of the Japanese attack. The German Blitzkrieg in Europe
resulted in accelerated aircraft production in America. The B-17E
was the first truly heavily armed variant and made its initial
flight in September of 1941. B-17Es cost $298,000 each and more than
500 were delivered. The B-17F and B-17G were the truly mass-produced
wartime versions of the Flying Fortress. More than 3,400 B-17Fs and
more than 8,600 B-17Gs would be produced. The American daylight
strategic bombing campaign against Germany was a major factor in the
Allies winning the War in Europe. This campaign was largely flown by
B-17 Flying Fortresses (12,677 built) and B-24 Liberators (18,188
built.) The B-17 bases were closer to London than those of the B-24,
so B-17s received a disproportionate share of wartime publicity. The
first mission in Europe with the B-17 was an Eighth Air Force flight
of 12 B-17Es on August 12, 1942. Thousands more missions, with as
many as 1000 aircraft on a single mission would follow over the next
2 ½ years, virtually decimating all German war making facilities and
plants. The B-17 could take a lot of damage and keep on flying, and
it was loved by the crews for bringing them home despite extensive
battle damage. Following WW II, B-17s would see some action in
Korea, and in the 1948 Israel War. There are only 14 flyable B-17s
in operation today and a total of 43 complete airframes.
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Collector Sized Lithograph:
$40
16" x 11 1/2"
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Giclee on Canvas:
$445
18'' x 27''
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