The number varies from time to time as airframes enter restoration, or complete restoration or move to flight status. The current total of surviving B-17 bombers located in the United States stands at 40: Nine (9) B-17 planes are airworthy, such as “Texas Raiders”, “Sentimental Journey” and “Aluminum Overcast”.
How many airworthy B-17 are there?
Today, 46 planes survive in complete form, 10 of which are airworthy, and 39 of which reside in the United States.
How many B-17s are still flying?
There are fewer than 40 intact B-17s left in the United States and only a dozen of those are considered airworthy. That’s a big part of what makes restoration of the Lacey Lady so unique and important. The B-17’s armament was as impressive as it was unprecedented. In its final design, the B-17 carried 13 .
How much is a B-17 worth?
The four-engine (1200 hp each) Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, which cost over $200,000 each in 1940 (the equivalent of about $3,000,000 in today’s market), was a key component of the United States Army Air Forces’ (USAAF) World War II strategy in Western Europe.
How many B-17 are produced?
12,731 B-17s
The B-17 Flying Fortress became a symbol of the power of the United States and its air force. There were 12,731 B-17s built between 1936 and 1945.
Will Nine O Nine be restored?
A thorough restoration has been underway to restore the aircraft back to its original WWII B-17G model configuration. The new B-17G will replace “Nine O Nine” that was lost in an accident.
Which is better B-17 or B-24?
The B-24 was a faster plane having a greater range and payload capacity. However, in the ETO, the B-24 operated with the B-17 which constrained the aircraft’s operating speed. The B17 was a sedate aircraft and placed fewer demands on the flight deck crew. The B-17 was also an easier aircraft to fly in formation.
Who shot down the most German planes in ww2?
Erich Hartmann
While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills. How did Hartmann get so good at dominating the skies over the Eastern Front?
How many B-24 bombers are left?
Of the 19,256 B-24, PB4Y-1, LB-30 and other model variants in the Liberator family produced, thirteen complete examples survive today, two of which are airworthy. Eight of the thirteen aircraft reside in the United States.
Did B-17 ever sink a ship?
The B-17’s greatest success in the Pacific was in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, in which aircraft of this type were responsible for damaging and sinking several Japanese transport ships.
Did the B-17 have a toilet?
During World War 2, large bomber aircraft, such as the American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the British Avro Lancaster, carried chemical toilets (basically a bucket with seat and cover, see bucket toilet); in British use, they were called “Elsans” after the company that manufactured them.
Can the Memphis Belle still fly?
It was one of the first United States Army Air Forces B-17 heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions, after which the aircrew returned with the bomber to the United States to sell war bonds.
Memphis Belle (aircraft)
| Memphis Belle | |
|---|---|
| Status | On display |
| Preserved at | National Museum of the United States Air Force |
Where can I ride in a B-17?
Book an Air Adventure on one of our five historic aircraft and take a ride into history. Yankee Air Museum’s historic plane rides feature the B-17 Yankee Lady and B-25 Rosie’s Reply bombers, the C-47 Hairless Joe Skytrain, the UH-1 Huey, and the magnificent Ford Tri-Motor.
Can a B-17 fly on 1 engine?
It had a crew of ten and could carry 6,000 pounds of bombs at 300 miles per hour for a range of 2,000 miles. Its famous nickname came from the fact it carried 13 . 50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns for protection, and had a legendary toughness for carrying its crew home on one engine or even with the tail shot away.
How effective were B-17 gunners?
The gunners were somewhat effective. The Luftwaffe determined the best way to approach B-17 formations was head on pretty early in the American attacks – BECAUSE the defensive machine gun fire resulted in losses using other approaches. B-17s didn’t have alot of firepower in the nose.
Which B-17 flew the most missions?
Nine-O-Nine was a Boeing B-17G-30-BO Flying Fortress heavy bomber, of the 323rd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, that completed 140 combat missions during World War II, believed to be the Eighth Air Force record for most missions, without loss to the crews that flew her.
How many B 17 crews completed 25 missions?
In May of 1943, two B-17s (from two separate Bomb Groups) were the first two heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions in the European Theater. Both aircraft flew their first combat mission in November of 1942.
Which ww2 bomber flew the most missions?
Flak-Bait II now shares a common name and heritage with the older bomber. When World War II ended in 1945, a Martin B-26 Marauder named Flak-Bait had flown 207 missions — more than any other U.S. plane in the conflict. But, as Master Sgt.
Who flew the most missions in ww2?
Erich Alfred Hartmann (19 April 1922 – 20 September 1993) was a German fighter pilot during World War II and the most successful fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare. He flew 1,404 combat missions and participated in aerial combat on 825 separate occasions.
Is the B-17 hard to fly?
The rugged B-17s would often return with many of their working parts shot up, but the Flying Fortress earned its reputation as one of the toughest planes to fly in World War II.
How many B 29 Superfortresses shot down?
B-29 gunners were credited with shooting down 27 enemy aircraft. In turn 78 B-29s were lost; 57 B-29 and reconnaissance variants were lost in action and 21 were non-combat losses. Soviet records show that one MiG-15 jet fighter was shot down by a B-29 during the war.