Was the b24 better than the B-17?

The B-24 was a faster plane having a greater range and payload capacity. However, in the ETO, the B-24 operated with the B-17 which constrained the aircraft’s operating speed. The B17 was a sedate aircraft and placed fewer demands on the flight deck crew. The B-17 was also an easier aircraft to fly in formation.

Additionally, How many B17 are still flying? Today, 46 planes survive in complete form, 10 of which are airworthy, and 39 of which reside in the United States.
…
Surviving aircraft by manufacturer.

Why was the B-24 called the flying coffin? During Harry’s two months at Davis-Monthan in Arizona, five B-24 planes and complete crews were lost during takeoff and landing practice. The B-24 nickname was justly earned as the so called “flying coffin” by the crews who flew it. Harry and his crew were shipped to Europe in late December 1944.

Subsequently, What was bigger B-17 or b29? Due to all of this, the B-29 is much heavier than the B-17. As a result, Boeing was forced to use more powerful engines for the B-29. In turn, the B-29 had a much longer combat range than the B-17. On top of the longer combat range, the B-29 also had a much faster cruising and max speed.

FAQ

How many b17s were shot down in WWII?

The B-17 dropped more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of approximately 1.5 million tons of bombs dropped on Nazi Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, over 640 000 tons (42.6%) were dropped from B-17s.
…
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

Why was the B 24 called the flying coffin? During Harry’s two months at Davis-Monthan in Arizona, five B-24 planes and complete crews were lost during takeoff and landing practice. The B-24 nickname was justly earned as the so called “flying coffin” by the crews who flew it. Harry and his crew were shipped to Europe in late December 1944.

What was the life expectancy of a B-17 crew? Although such statistics were not circulated among Army Air Forces crews, the average life expectancy of an Eighth Air Force B-17 in late 1943 was 11 missions.

When was the last B-17 retired? Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

What were two drawbacks of flying the B-24 Liberator bomber?

This also made the airplane suitable for long over-water missions in the Pacific. The B-24’s drawbacks were that it was physically difficult to fly and much more vulnerable to enemy flak than the B-17. Flak is fire from anti-aircraft artillery.

What was Louie’s position of Bombardier? The Flying Coffin

As a bombardier, it’s Louie’s job to spot targets, program the bombsight that takes over flying the plane toward the target, and yell « Bombs away » when the bombs are, in fact, away.

Why were gliders used in ww2?

Under veil of darkness on D-Day and other major Allied airborne assaults, the Waco glider carried troops and materiel behind enemy lines to take out key enemy defenses and transportation links. These humble gliders – engineless and unarmed – overcame perilous odds to make the first cracks in Hitler’s Fortress Europe.

Who is the greatest ace of all time? Top Image: Major Richard Bong courtesy of the US Air Force. Known as the “Ace of Aces” for his rank as the top American flying ace during World War II, Major Richard Ira Bong is credited with the downing of an impressive confirmed total of 40 enemy aircraft over the course of his career as a fighter pilot.

What plane replaced the B-17?

While the B-17 was preferred by the Americans in Europe, it was almost entirely replaced in the Pacific by the Liberator, which had a much greater range.

What replaced the B-17?

While the B-17s were used in the Pacific, by 1944 the B-29 had replaced the B-17 for use in the Pacific Theater. B-17s were initially intended as a fast, land-based bomber, which could patrol at sea and intercept naval vessels. B-17Cs were the first of the series to see action.

How many b52 shot down in Vietnam? Thirty-three B-52 crew members were killed or missing in action, another 33 became prisoners of war, and 26 more were rescued. Over 11 days, North Vietnamese air defenses fired 266 SA-2 missiles downing—according to North Vietnam—34 B-52s and four F-111s.

Who built the B-17? Developed by the Boeing Company in the 1930s, the B-17 was a four‑engine heavy bomber aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

What plane shot down the most planes in ww2?

The number 1 is no surprise: the North American P-51 Mustang. Often and usually considered the best fighter of the war, the P-51 was a game-changer for Allied forces. Employed as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 was unmatched by German planes, especially at high altitudes.

How many B-17 were shot down in Europe? During the night, the 73 B-17s at Poltava were attacked for 2 hours by an estimated 75 German bombers led by aircraft dropping flares. 47 B-17s were destroyed and most of the rest were severely damaged.
…
B-17 Flying Fortress.

How many planes did the B-17 shoot down?

The USAAF claimed they shot down 179 Luftwaffe fighters, broken-down as follows: B-17 gunners claimed 97 and their fighter escort claimed 82. German records show that 66 fighters were lost. The Luftwaffe claimed that they shot down 108 bombers and 20 fighters.

What plane dropped the atomic bomb? Enola Gay, the B-29bomber that was used by the United States on August 6, 1945, to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, the first time the explosive device had been used on an enemy target. The aircraft was named after the mother of pilot Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr.

Were B-17s used in the Pacific?

While the B-17s were used in the Pacific, by 1944 the B-29 had replaced the B-17 for use in the Pacific Theater. B-17s were initially intended as a fast, land-based bomber, which could patrol at sea and intercept naval vessels. B-17Cs were the first of the series to see action.

What bombs did the B-17 carry? Napalm Bombs

Known as Class-C Fire Bombs and with a capacity of 108 US gallons, these bombs were only used in few missions. A B-17 carried four such bombs with tiny igniter units fitted to each tank.

Don’t forget to share this post !