Why was the B-17 so good?

The B-17 was a good heavy bomber because it had a good range (2,000 miles) and a good defensive arrangement of 13 machine guns.

Why could a Lancaster bomber carry more bombs than a B-17 Flying Fortress?

A Lancaster bomber could carry more bombs than a B-17 Flying Fortress for several reasons, amongst these is the reduced crew of 7 (a B-17 had 10 men) and fewer heavy machine guns and power turrets.

What was the weakness of the B-17 Flying Fortress?

The main weakness of the B-17 Flying Fortress was that it had few guns aiming forward. This meant that enemy fighters tended to attack it head-on and so avoided most of its guns.

B-17 Flying Fortress Timeline

Definition

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a four-engined heavy bomber plane used by the air forces of the United States and Britain during the Second World War (1939-45). The B-17 had unusually heavy defensive armament, 13 machine guns in total in some models. B-17s were involved in strategic bombing operations in Europe, the Pacific, and other theatres of the war.

More about: B-17 Flying Fortress

Timeline

Dec 1936
The first production Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers are flown.
1937
The first operational Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers are flown by the US Army Air Force.
1939 - 1945
Over 12,000 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers are built during WWII.
1941
The British RAF is supplied with 20 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.
1941
Four squadrons of B-17 bombers are sent to the Philippines where the USAF has a major air base at Clark Field on Luzon Island.
8 Jul 1941
The first B-17s to bomb a target hit Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
17 Aug 1942
The first B-17 bombers to fly US colours in Europe during WW2 attack Rouen in France.
Mar 1944
The P-51 fighter begins to escort B-17 Flying Fortress bombers over Europe.

B-17 Flying Fortress

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Definition

Timeline