What is the difference between a B-17 and a B-24?
The B17 could be operated at speeds as slow as 135 mph, whereas the B24 became dangerous below 160 mph. Both aircraft could take a beating and still fly. Still, the design of the B24 did place limits on its ability to safely perform emergency landings.
How many crew members does a B-17 have?
10
Armed with no less than 13 0.50-calibre machine guns, including two in a new “chin” turret for defense against head-on attack, the B-17G fairly bristled with machine guns. It was operated by a crew of 10, including the pilot, copilot, navigator-radioman, bombardier, and gunners.
Why was the B-24 Liberator considered a better bomber than the B-17?
The B-24 had a shoulder-mounted high aspect ratio Davis wing. This wing was highly efficient allowing a relatively high airspeed and long range. Compared to the B-17 it had a 6-foot larger wingspan, but a lower wing area. This gave the B-24 a 35% higher wing loading.
What’s the difference between a B-17 and a B-24?
The B-17 had a very large wing and ailerons (the moveable portion of the wing), while the B-24 used a smaller wing and ailerons for speed. Thus, the Liberator was faster, but the Flying Fortress could fly higher. Typical approach landing speeds for both planes, using full wing flaps was 120 miles per hour.
Why did the British prefer the B-24 Liberator over the B17 Flying Fortress?
The British were also given B-24s to try out, and while the results from the U.S. viewpoint were less than hoped for, the RAF did prefer the B-24 Liberator over the B-17 Flying Fortress because of its heavier payload capabilities.
What was the difference between a B-17 and a B24 bomber?
But B-17s were the workhorse of the US bomber fleet in Europe. More than 12,700 were built, and they served on all fronts in WWII, wreaking havoc on German and Japanese targets. B-24 Air Force on a mission in 1944. The B-24 originated from a 1938 request from the USAAC to Consolidated Aircraft to build licensed copies of the B-17.
Why was the B-17 bomber so successful in WW2?
This durability, together with the large operational numbers in the Eighth Air Force and the fame achieved by the Memphis Belle, made the B-17 a key bomber aircraft of the war. Other factors such as combat effectiveness and political issues also contributed to the B-17’s success.
What is a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress?
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engined heavy bomber developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry (prototype Model 299/XB-17) outperformed both competitors and exceeded the Air Corps’ performance specifications.