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Sentimental Journey B-17

Needing to fill the Army Air Corps requirement for a long range, high-altitude, daylight bomber, Boeing developed the then Model 299, powered by four 750hp Pratt & Whitney Hornet engines. When the model crashed after take-off on its second flight, Boeing was technically disqualified from the contract, the but Army continued and ordered later models designated YB-17 and YB-17A. By the end of March 1940, the first production batch of B-17Bs were delivered to the Army Air Corps.

The final version, the B-17G model, boasted a heavy defense of 13 .50 caliber Browning machine guns, and could carry a bomb load of 8,000lbs. The B-17G entered service in fall of 1943, and become the most produced model with over 8600 built. Four Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 radial engines with 1200hp each gave the B-17G a top speed of over 280mph (240 knots).

​Considered by most to be the most popular and recognized aircraft of WWII, the B-17 helped win the war in Europe by dropping over 640,000 tons of bombs.

Specifications
General Characteristics
Type--Heavy/Strategic Bomber
​Manufacturer--Boeing
Maiden Flight--28 July 1935
Introduced--April 1938
Theatre of War--World War II
Number Produced--12,731
Status--Retired in 1968
Crew10
​
Dimensions 
Wingspan--103 ft 9 in
Length--74 ft 4 in
Height--19 ft 3 in
Empty Weight--36,134 lbs
Max Takeoff Weight--65,500 lbs
Fuel Capacity/Consumption--2,780 US Gallons in the wings/200 US Gallons per hour
Oil Capacity--37 gallons per engine
PerformancePower Plant--(4) Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone Turbosupercharged Radials
Horsepower--1,200 hp
Maximum Speed--263 knots (302 mph)
Service Ceiling--36,400 ft
Rate of Climb--900 ft/min
Range--3,259 nm (3750 mi)
Armament--Guns(13) 0.50in (12.7mm) M2 Browning Machine Guns
Payload--Up to 8,000lbs ordance (short range missions of less than 400mi)
Up to 4,500lbs ordance (long range missions of up to 800mi)