Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress dropped more bombs than any other US aircraft in the Second World War, and was the main bomber of the United States Army Air Forces in Europe in the Second World War.

A standard heavy bomber crew was 10 men; a pilot and co-pilot up in the cockpit; the bombardier and the navigator in the nose; the flight engineer sat behind them; and a radio operator in the room in the fuselage. But the aircraft's name derived from it's comprehensive defensive armament. A total of 13 0.50-calibre machine guns, including two in a new powered “chin” turret for defence against head-on attack, meant the B-17G bristled with machine guns. The B-17 remained in civilian service across the world from 1947-1972. Our B-17 was built in July 1945, and in later life served with United States Forestry Service as a fire bomber after having a 2,200-gallon four-door tank fitted for dropping fire-retardant.