The B-17 Flying Fortress and The Avro Lancaster

I thought I would put together a few factoids about the iconic #Lancaster and B-17 bombers.

B-17 found at: http://www.airplanesgallery.com/gallery/boeing-b-17-flying-fortress/boeing_b_17_flying_fortress_2.jpg

The B-17

Crew - 10

Range -  2,000 miles with 6,000lb bombload (http://www.warbirdalley.com/b17.htm)

 

Top Speed - 295 - 320 mph (depending on model).

Max. Ceiling - 35,800ft

Armament - 13 0.5' machine guns

Maximum Bombload - 4,000-6,000lbs. (http://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-17-flying-fortress.page)

Number Produced - 12,700 (http://www.warbirdalley.com/b17.htm)

Years In Service - 1930's - 1970's.

The Avro Lancaster

Avro lancaster found at:http://img.wallpaperstock.net:81/avro-lancaster-wallpapers_35407_1024x768.jpg

Crew - 7-8 depending on model http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_crew_positions.htm

Range -  1,660 miles

 

Top Speed - 287mph.

Max. Ceiling - 24,500ft.

Armament - Eight .303 machine guns.

Maximum Bombload -  14,000 -22,000lbs tallboy bombs. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/avro_lancaster_bomber.htm

Number Produced - 7,377 http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Avro:_Lancaster

Years In Service - 1942-1963.

B-17's Bomb Messerschmitt Factory 1943 - US Army Air Corps

Until 1945, the USAAF bravely bombed Axis targets in daylight, often unescorted. The Schweinfurt - Regensburg  raid is infamous in August 1943 for the heavy losses inflicted on the B17's. 60 aircraft were los as were a total of 55 crews taken prisoner, interned in Switzerland or killed. http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/aerialcampaigns/p/regensburg.htm

The plan was to have 2 bomber groups with 10 minutes between them taking off from bases in Britain. The first group would meet expected Luftwaffe fighters on the Regensburg raid, the target there was the Messerschmidt factory. Wile these fighters were refuelling the second wave would bomb the ball bearing factories at Schweinfurt. Both USAAF groups would land in North Africa. http://www.historyandheadlines.com/august-17-1943-us-8th-air-force-loses-60-b-17-bombers-raid-schweinfurt-regensburg/

Unfortunately, bad weather meant the second wave was delayed, the Luftwaffe had time to re-arm and refuel,the disastrous day for the USAAF became known as 'Black Thursday'. The development of the P-51 and Lightning fighters, meant that by March 1944, Allied bombers had protection to and from the target in Germany.http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=513