The "Flying Fortress" bomber built by Boeing is one of the most famous airplanes ever made. The
prototype of the B-17 first flew on July 28, 1935. Few B-17's were in service on December 7,
1941, but production quickly accelerated. The aircraft served in every WW II
combat zone, but is best known for daylight strategic bombing of German
industrial targets. Production ended in May 1945 and totaled 12,726.
In June of 1943, the Memphis Belle became the first B-17 to complete its crew's quota of 25 missions. A
film crew had gone along on the Memphis Belle's mission to Wilhelmshaven and this film was widely shown
throughout the war. After the last mission, the Memphis Belle returned to the United States and carried out a
morale-building tour selling U.S. War Bonds.
Source and Links:
U.S.A.F. Museum
Wikipedia
Liberty Foundation's Liberty Belle
Official site of the 303rd "Hell's Angels" Bomb Group
Fully assembled, Handcrafted Model Airplane with Removable
Desk Stand.
(Scale: 1/56, Length: 16.5", Wing Span: 22.5")
)
