The United States Army Air Corps issued a request for the design of a multi engine high altitude bomber aircraft in April 1934. The Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle Washington submitted a design under the Boeing designation Model 299. . The aircraft at it's public unveiling was reported as being a "15-ton Flying Fortress ", by a Seattle Times reporter.

In 1934, The Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle, began construction of a four engine heavy bomber. The first prototype was tested and exceeded all Air Corps expectations for performance. Bristling with six 30 Caliber Machine Guns and huge bomb bay the nickname Flying Fortress became an iconic and influential aircraft of World War Two.

The Model 299 was expected to carry 200 lbs. of bomb with a range of 2000 miles at a speed of 200 mph. The Boeing Aircraft exceeded these expectations by a wide margin and was destined to be put into production. A tragic crash in October 1935 nearly ended the B-17. Eventually production resumed with multiple contract being awarded to Boeing for improved versions of the Model 299

The YB-17 was the first variant to be fitted with the Wright Cyclone R-1820-39 engines, rated at 930 maximum take-off horsepower. The cyclones replaced the Pratt & Whitney Hornets of the Model 299 rated at 750 horsepower. Later YB variants incorporated turbo super chargers for enhanced high attitude flight. The Y1B-17 Model was designated Boeing Project No. 299B.

In a feat of incredible navigation a flight of YB1-17 aircraft intercepted the Italian Ocean Liner Rex while it was still out to sea. This outraged the U.S. Navy who demanded that all funding be cut to the Army Air Corps. After calming down the Navy it was agreed that the Air Corps would restrict their continental operations to within a certain distance from shore.

The B-17C incorporated more machine guns, self-sealing fuel tanks, more armor plating, up-rated engines, etc.. Even though all these increased the weight of the "C" model to 49,650 pounds, the installation of the 1,200 Wright Cyclones made the "C" capable of 320 MPH, the fastest of all B-17 variants. The "C" and "D" Model was designated Boeing Project No. 299H.

The B-17C in Royal Air Force service was re-named the Fortress I and served with 90 Squadron. The 20 Fortress I aircraft took part in aerial bombardment though were not truly successful with 8 aircraft quickly lost to German attacks. The remaining aircraft were reassigned to Coastal Command. Valuable lessons were learned.

An early B-17E fitted with a remote control lower turret. It was not well received and was very difficult to move and the guns. Note; look closely just behind the lower turret and you will see the remote control aiming window. The "F" Model was designated Boeing Project No. 299O.

This is one of a series of promotional images featuring the B17E. There were 512 "E" models built from September 1941 to May 1942. The clear nose of this variant had metal ribbing to strengthen the plexiglass.

Possibly the best looking B-17 of the entire production run. There were 3405 "F" Models produced by Boeing, Seattle Washington (2300) Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach California (605) and Lockheed Vega, Burbank California (500). The "F" Model was designated Boeing Project No. 299P.

Although the Cruising speed was slightly slower then the later B-17G model (160mph to 187mph), the "F" had a higher maximum speed of 325 mph.

The most obvious change featured in the "G" model was the Bendix "Chin" turret, which addressed a common Luftwaffe tactic of attacking the B-17 from the front. To improve performance larger wider propellers were also fitted. The "G" Model was designated Boeing Project No. 299P.

The B-17G was the highly produced of B-17 variants, with 8680 being made by Boeing, Seattle Washington (4035) Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach California (2395) and Lockheed Vega, Burbank California (2250).

A momentous time Boeing Aircraft Company history. The 5000th B-17 produced at Boeing since the Pearl Harbor attack is being rolled out in May 1944. The aircraft , serial number 43-37716 was assigned to the 338th Bomb Squadron of the 388 and 96th Bomb group stationed at Knettishall Suffolk England

The aircraft was signed by all Boeing factory workers as can be seen in this Boeing distributed photograph. Five Grand completed 78 mission over occupied Europe during the war and was returned to the United States in June 1945. Although the city of Seattle wanted to acquire the aircraft as a memorial, it was not successful; and Five Grand went to the smelters.

The US company Pratt and Whitney had started to develop their T-34 Turbo prop for use on future large transport planes. Their choice of test bed was to be the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and in 1950 testing began. The B-17 kept its own four piston engines and the T-34 was grafted onto its nose making a very unusual, some would say ugly sight. The T-34 produced 5700 horsepower and was later used a number of large transport and the venerable Lockheed Constellation.

The XB-38 project of the Vega division of Lockheed. Its purpose was testing the feasibility of liquid-cooled Allison V-1710-89 engines on the B-17 airframe. Due to high production demands it was believed the Wright Cyclone R-1820 engine may be unavailable. As a means of facilitating this and improving the performance of the B-17 the XB-38, took its first flight on May 19, 1943. Although initially successful the engines were prone to overheating. On its ninth test flight an engine caught fire and the prototype crashed in June 1943, thus ending the project.

There was a restaurant next to this monument fitting called, The Bomber Restaurant, which served the Bomber Burger well into the early 2000's. In 2005 I visited the place and was lucky enough to sit in on a "Coffee Klatch" of local WW2 veterans. Of course I had to have a Bomber Burger for lunch

Check out the link below by clicking on the photo above

www.thebomber.com

This iconic B-17G was flown to Milwaukee Oregon in 1947 by Art Lacey and placed on pillars over a multi pump gas station. Over time it became one of the most popular locations of the 1960's, not only to fuel up but to visit as well.

YB-17, Linen Finish Postcard

YB-17, Linen Finish Postcard

Pacific Aerial Survey, YB-17

Loading Bombs, MacDill Field, B-17E

Note; Boeing's Designation of the Flying Fortress in all production variants was Model 299, The B-17 G was Model 299P

This particular aircraft was featured in many Boeing promotional photographs. It was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Squadron/19th Bomb Group in Hawaii, and took part in the Midway Battle.

British Published Postcards

British Published Postcards

Postcard Published in France

Postcard published in the Netherlands

Captioned; “The B-17B, Newest Model of the Boeing “Flying Fortress” and first of its type to be permanently stationed at March Field, California.” This stunning postcard is published by Frasher’s Inc., Pomona, Calif. The back of the card is postmarked Mar. 4, 1940, mailed from March Field Calif. It is addressed to Sidney, Ohio, with a very interesting note, ”Saw this fine plane. May join up. John.”

Captioned; “The New B-17B at March Field Calif.” Another stunning postcard from Frasher’s Inc., Pomona, Calif. This one is not postmarked though. Compared to last week’s Feature Flying Fortress post, this image was obviously taken very close together, probably on the same day. Note the aircraft number “30” painted on the nose and fuselage as well as the B-18 Bolo parked in the background. A squadron emblem appears on the nose and may be the 32nd Bomb Squadron as this insignia is a very unique inverted triangle. The only aircraft in the B-17B serial number range that matches would be 38-221, which was delivered to March Field on October 20, 1939, assigned to the 32nd BS, then flew to Albrook, Philippines June 3, 1941 then on to France Field, Colon Panama then back to the Philippines on December 1, 1941, finally being written of October 27, 1943.