How many working B-17 bombers are left?

Roughly 4,735 were destroyed during World War II and while thousands of them continued to be used in various military and civilian applications around the world, most were eventually retired or destroyed. Today, 45 B-17s survive in complete form, and of those, only nine are airworthy.

Can you still buy a B-17?

As desirable and rare as a B-17 Flying Fortress WWII bomber is, it’s amazing that they occasionally pop up for sale. Especially in 2021. From the late Paul Allen collection comes this B-17E project which you can buy. But the asking price will knock you back on your heels.

Did the B-17 have a toilet

During World War II, 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.

How many B-17 are flying today

Roughly 4,735 were destroyed during World War II and while thousands of them continued to be used in various military and civilian applications around the world, most were eventually retired or destroyed. Today, 45 B-17s survive in complete form, and of those, only nine are airworthy.

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 many fighters did B-17s shot down

After the Second Raid on Schweinfurt, USAAF gunners aboard the B-17 bombers claimed to have shot down 138 German fighters. German records show that 38 were lost and 20 were damaged. German fighter pilots claimed they shot down 121 bombers and 1 fighter.

See also  Is China a superpower or a great power?

How many B-17 were lost in ww2

Between 1935 and ,732 B-17s were produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions. At one time, more than 1,000 B-17s could be assembled for mass combat missions.

How much did a B-17 cost in ww2

The average cost for each plane at that time was $393,000 which made them a very expensive heavy bomber, but the engineering and design was impressive to say the least.

How many B-17s are made daily

Eventually, over 12,000 B-17s were built. At the peak of this amazing production effort, 16 B-17s rolled off the assembly line per day at Boeing’s Plant 2 in Seattle. Much of this labor was done by women who filled jobs after men left for war.

What was the life expectancy of a B-17 crew

Nothing in the peacetime lives of thousands of young Americans had prepared them for the violence that lay ahead. Although such statistics were not circulated among Army Air Forces crews, the average life expectancy of an Eighth Air Force B-17 in late 1943 was 11 missions.

What is the oldest bomber still in service?

The B-52 has been in service with the USAF since 1955. As of June 2019, there are 76 aircraft in inventory; 58 operated by active forces (2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing), 18 by reserve forces (307th Bomb Wing), and about 12 in long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan AFB Boneyard.

Why is the B-17 so famous

Developed by the Boeing Company in the 1930s, the B-17 was a four‑engine heavy bomber aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. It was a very effective weapons system, dropping more bombs during the war than any other American aircraft.

How many B-17 were lost over Germany?

A total of 60 B-17s failed to return from the mission or reach the shuttle bases in North Africa: 36 from the Regensberg force and 24 from the Schweinfurt mission. Nearly all fell victim to fighter attack. It was becoming obvious that unescorted missions into Germany were too costly to continue.

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 much fuel does a B-17 burn per hour

A B-17 will easily burn 200 gallons of fuel per hour, plus about 10 gallons of oil per hour. Consumables and wear items cost an estimated $3,000 per flight hour.

How many B-17 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.

Is there a B 1 bomber

The B-1B has supported U.S. and NATO military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. As of 2021 the Air Force has 45 B-1Bs. The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is to begin replacing the B-1B after 2025; all B-1s are planned to be retired by 2036.

See also  What font is Army font?

What was the toughest bomber in ww2

Avro Lancaster – UK

It was one of the heaviest and most powerful bombers used by the Allies, capable of carrying large payloads of bombs and flying long distances at high speeds.

What replaced the B-17

While the B-17s were used in the Pacific, by 1944 the B-29 had replaced the B-17 for use in the Pacific Theater. B-17s were initially intended as a fast, land-based bomber, which could patrol at sea and intercept naval vessels.

What happened to the B-17s after ww2?

The plane became the first aircraft in the 305th Bombardment Group to complete 100 missions, and finally performed 133 successful missions in a career spanning 18 months before surviving the war. After WWII, in the fall of 1945, it was transferred to Kingman AAF and subsequently scrapped.

What did the Luftwaffe think of the B-17

Enemy pilots gained a healthy respect for the tail guns. ‘A German pilot did once say that attacking a B-17 formation from behind was like trying to make love to a porcupine that is on fire,’ Walt Miller, Former 0311/0302 at United States Marine Corps (1973-1993), explains on Quora.

Who shot down most German planes

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 much is a MiG 29 worth

A new MiG-29 costs about $20 million, the website states.

Are B 52 still being built

The Air Force currently expects to operate B-52s through 2050. The B-52A first flew in 1954, and the B model entered service in 1955. A total of 744 B-52s were built, with the last, a B-52H, delivered in October 1962.

Who lost the most planes in ww2?

Soviet Union: Total losses were 17,900 bombers, 23,600 ground attacker, 46,800 fighter aircraft, and 18,100 training, transport and other aircraft; an overall loss of over 106,400 aircraft; 46,100 in combat and 60,300 non-combat. Of which, 18,300 Lend-Lease aircraft were lost.

What plane sank the most ships in ww2

Fairey Swordfish. The Swordfish sank more tonnage than any other Allied plane during the World War II.

What bomber was in D Day?

8AF Heavy Bomber Missions

B-24s and B-17s flew four missions on D-Day.

What was the cheapest gun in ww2

The FP-45 was a crude, single-shot pistol designed to be cheaply and quickly mass-produced. It had just 23 largely stamped and turned steel parts that were cheap and easy to manufacture.

How cold was it in a b17

“It was 60 degrees below zero at 22,000 feet.” Throat microphones allowed them to communicate, while electrically heated suits and gloves helped the crew members deal with the cold. They wore oxygen masks because they operated at up to 28,000 feet.

Related Posts