17 B-17 Flying Fortress This four-engine heavy bomber became a symbol of U.S. military might in World War II, dropping more bombs (640,000 tons, or 580,600 metric tons) than any other American aircraft. It was hailed for its ability from high altitude to inflict damage—and survive it. The B-17 made its first flight on July 28, 1935. More than 12,700 eventually would be built. At one point during the war, Boeing’s Plant 2 in Seattle rolled out 15 of the bombers in 24 hours. They were also built at Douglas and Lockheed-Vega factories. Gen. Carl Spaatz, American air commander during WWII, summed up the bomber’s combat importance in this manner: “Without the B-17, we may have lost the war.” •
Frontiers July 2016 Issue
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