Amazing Aircraft: The Flying Fortress

July 28, 1935, 80 years ago today was when the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the iconic American bomber of World War II first took to the skies on its maiden flight. Introduced in 1938 with what was then the U.S. Army Air Force, over 12,000 airframes were built between 1936 and 1945. Present day, only about 10 airframes, none of which are combat veterans, are airworthy, with a few dozen more on static display or in storage.

B-17G (N207EV) on display at the Evergreen Air & Space Museum; McMinnville, Oregon.
This particular airframe was once converted into a water bomber by Evergreen Aviation before being restored back to its current display condition. This airframe was also used for a stunt in the James Bond movie 'Thunderball.'

The B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber designed for long range missions as a strategic weapons system capable of flying at higher altitudes than its contemporaries, defend itself with its array of machine guns placed throughout, and sustain combat damage and still fly on. Such traits made this aircraft iconic in mythical proportions. During World War II, the B-17 was used extensively in the European theater, bombing cities, factories, and battlefields in order to secure allied air superiority in western Europe in preparation for the D-Day Invasion of German-occupied France in 1944. The B-17 dropped more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of the 1.5 million tonnes of bombs dropped on Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, 640,000 tonnes were dropped from B-17s.

B-17G known as "Short Bier" on display at the Hill Aerospace Museum; Ogden, Utah.

The B-17 was also used to a lesser extent in the Pacific theater early in the war, where it conducted raids against Japanese shipping and airfields before the B-29 Superfortress took over the bomber role in that theater. Despite, the iconic status and the heavy defensive capabilities, many B-17s were lost in combat, with over 4,000 shot down by enemy fire both from the ground and in the air, prompting the call for long-range fighter escort, which would eventually be found with the equally iconic P-51 Mustang. With machine guns placed throughout different positions on the airframe, it was initially thought that the B-17 did not need fighter escort because the guns would be enough to cover all parameters. Both reality and the Luftwaffe proved otherwise.

B-17G formerly known as "Chuckie" (NL3701G) on display at the Tillamook Air Museum; Tillamook, Oregon.
This particular airframe has since been relocated to the new Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon and repainted and renamed as the "Madras Maiden."

Despite significant combat losses early on, the advent of long-range fighter escort eventually found in P-51 Mustangs (often referred by bomber crews as "little friends") and improved tactics helped make the B-17 an effective platform in the allied war effort and it's mythical legend persevered. It's greater survivability in combat compared to the B-24 Liberator was evident as many photos depicting battle-damaged B-17s after they returned to base circulated throughout the war.

Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing's B-17G known as "Sentimental Journey" (N9323G) on display at the 2012 Oregon International Air Show.

After the war, many B-17s were scrapped and melted down as part of the rebuilding efforts of war-torn Europe. Several however, saw post-war service in a variety of roles ranging from U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for maritime patrols and photo mapping, VIP transports (which would quickly evolve and introduce commercial air travel), as well as covert CIA operations. In the civilian role, the B-17 was developed into (albeit, in extremely small numbers) the Boeing 307 Stratoliner, the very first commercial transport aircraft to have a pressurized cabin, allowing it to fly at a cruising altitude of 20,000 feet (6,000 meters). Nevertheless, the B-17 paved the way for many modern aviation marvels.

Liberty Foundation's B-17G (N390TH) formerly known as "Liberty Belle" flying in formation with two North American B-25 Mitchells and a P-51 Mustang at the 2008 Reno Air Races. Sadly, this B-17 was destroyed in a fire after a forced landing in 2011.

Eighty years ago today, the B-17 Flying Fortress first flew. Eighty years later, this iconic warbird is still to this day, an iconic piece of history; it's legend lives on in what airframes remain today, whether static or flight-worthy. May its legacy be remembered for generations to come and let's wish this old timer a happy 80th birthday.

Collings Foundation's B-17G (NL93012) known as "Nine-O-Nine" taking off Aurora State Airport for a pleasure flight during the 2015 Wings of Freedom tour.