The headless bomber was able to stay in loose formation with the Group for some minutes thanks to the inherent stability of the B-17 Flying Fortress airframe
One of the most well-known aircraft ever made is the Flying Fortress. On July 28, 1935, a B-17 prototype made its first flight. The B-17 was a low-wing monoplane that combined the aerodynamic features of the transport Model 247 and the giant bomber XB-15, which was still in the design phase. The B-17 was the first military aircraft from Boeing to have a flight deck rather than an open cockpit. It was equipped with bombs and five.30-caliber machine guns that were mounted in clear “blisters.”
When the British Royal Air Force received four B-17s for high-altitude missions in 1941, the first B-17s saw combat. The bombers needed more armor and armament as World War II progressed.
The B-17E, the first Flying Fortress variant to be produced in large quantities, was equipped with nine machine guns and a 4,000-pound bomb load. Compared to the prototypes, it weighed several tons more and was heavily armed. For better control and stability during a high-altitude bombing, it was the first Boeing aircraft with a distinctive, big tail. Each variant was heavily armed.
Japanese pilots gave the aircraft the lethal moniker of “four-engine fighters” in the Pacific. Nonetheless, the strategic daytime bombing of German industrial targets is what made the B-17 most famous.
Unquestionably, the B-17 is also renowned for having been one of the most stable platforms in the air, as stated by Brent William Perkins in his book Memphis Belle: Life of a B-17 Flying Fortress. This truth is illustrated by the pictures in this post. This 463rd Bomb Group aircraft was directly struck beneath the pilot’s feet by what is thought to have been an 88mm shell, which entered the aircraft and subsequently exploded, as seen from the right waist of an accompanying B-17. The outcomes are clearly evident. All four engines on the fatally injured B-17 are still running as it starts a level descent. Everyone in front of the top turret was instantaneously killed.
The headless bomber was able to stay in loose formation with the Group for several minutes thanks to the airframe’s inherent stability. Those who survived the explosion from the radio room back were able to safely bail out because of the smooth flight attitude.
The crews developed a resolute and fatalistic mindset as a result of witnessing pals perish day after day. Making 25 missions was considerably more than just a success for them. Everyone highly awaited flying that last raid, but many worried they wouldn’t make it. The Mighty Eighth Air Force’s airmen faced overwhelming difficulties during this period. After their fifteenth mission, they were all aware that they were living on borrowed time. Superstitions were rampant; many bombers were decorated with rabbit’s feet, horseshoes, girlfriend’s ribbons, and other objects. Many simply referred to that run as their mission number 12A and even refused to fly a thirteenth mission.
Memphis Belle: Biography of a B-17 Flying Fortress is published by Schiffer Publishing and is available to order here.
Photo by Frank Donofrio via Schiffer Publishing