Global Aircraft -- B-17 Flying Fortress

Primary Function:	Heavy bomber
Contractor:	Boeing
Crew:	10 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Engineer, Bombardier, Radioman, 5 Gunners)
Unit Cost:	$276,000 (B-17G)
Powerplant
	Four 1,200 h.p. Wright R-1820-97 radial piston engines
Dimensions
Length:	74 feet, 4 inches (22.66 m)
Wingspan:	103 feet, 10 inches (31.65 m)
Height:	19 feet, 1 inch (5.82 m)
Weights
Empty:	36,135 lb
Maximum Takeoff:	54,000 lb (gross)
Performance
Speed:	300 mph (483 km/h)
Ceiling:	35,000 ft (10667 m)
Range:	1,850 miles (2979 km)
Armament
	Thirteen .50 caliber machine guns, up to 17,600 lb.(short range) bombload
Service Life
First Flight:	July 28, 1935 (prototype) December 2, 1936 (Y1B-17A)
End of Service:	May 1945
Number Built:	[12,726 total]

B-17 Flying Fortress Achievements

The B-17 was the first Boeing military aircraft with a flight deck instead of an open cockpit.
The B-17 was the first Boeing airplane with the distinctive tail for improved control and stability during high-altitude bombing.

B-17 Flying Fortress Photos