B-17 Flying Fortress

Dimenssion: L: 13 W: 17.5 H: 4.5 InchesHistory: The B-17 Flying Fortress was designed in 1934 then made its first flight on July 28 1935 but wasn't ready for delivery until March 1940.Hoisting a deadly load of bombs into the frozen skies the B-17 Flying Fortress was the United States' workhorse heavy bomber during the WWII. B-17s served around the globe but they are B-17 Movie Poster-terrible perhaps most famous for their Eight Air Force daylight strategic bombing raids on Germany. Flying in close formation and bristling with machine guns the 'Forts' battled through storms of anti-aircraft fire and swarms of German fighters to reach their targets.The B-17 was slower than its counterpart bomber the B-24 Liberator. It carried fewer bombs and couldn't fly as far as the B-24. Yet because of the B-17s sturdy and stout design its crews trusted their aircraft believing that their 'Forts' wouldn't let them down. B-17s returned to England daily with their noses blown open tails gashed and wings riddled with flack damage. Often they touched down with one or two oil-streaked engines stone cold with the remaining engines moaning under the strain. Many crews felt that they owed their lives to 'the old bird' that just wouldn't give up. As many as 12 731 Flying Fortresses were built.