The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

The sixth voting option in the Wings of War December poll, looking to find the best multi-engined bomber of World War II to serve with the Allies is the legendary B-17.

The B-17 is synonymous with the American daylight bombing campaign in Europe, having featured in almost every raid against the European Axis from May 1942. It delivered almost 580,560 metric tonnes of bombs (making it the second heaviest bomb dropping aircraft for the Allies in Europe, behind only the Lancaster), and was famous for being able to survive incredible levels of damage. Iconic thanks to the legendary ‘Memphis Belle’, the B-17 contributed to major raids such as those undertaken during Operation Point Blank, and served through till VE Day in Europe. It’s use in the Pacific was less successful, however it made a valuable contribution in the Battle for the Atlantic serving with the RAF’s Coastal Command.

You can vote for the B-17 (as at least 4 others have) here.

December’s poll looks at what WoW visitors and followers may consider to be the best multi-engined bomber of World War Two. When making your selection keep in mind such issues as importance to the Allied war effort, damage inflicted on the enemy and the performance vis-a-vis speed/bomb-load/weight/serviceability.

First voting option is the legendary Avro Lancaster, mainstay of RAF’s Bomber Command and night offensive against Germany from early 1942. The ‘Lanc’ was involved ion all the major Bomber Command raids of the second half of WWII, including Cologne and the 1000 bomber raid, Hamburg, The Battle of The Ruhr, The Battle of Berlin, Dresden, the sinking of the Tirpitz, the raids on Peenemunde and most famously the Dambuster Raid.

Wings of War at the Movies…Image #1: The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress used in the film ‘Memphis Belle’

RAF Coastal Command Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress IIA

remove-before-flight:

YB-40 gunship. Note the dual fifties at the waist gunner window, and the extra revolving turret in what was the radio operator’s spot.