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| - The Boeing B-17, and the Consolidated B-24 were the United States' two standard heavy bombers until the introduction of the B-29 Superfortress. B-17s were flown by the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), throughout the American participation in the Second World War. They were used by the US Eighth Air Force, based in the UK, to bombard German targets in Europe during daylight hours, a method which resulted initially in very heavy losses of aircraft and crew. As B-17 refinements progressed, along with better pilot training and tactics, it would become a formidable adversary in the Allied war against Germany.
- The first production model of the B-17 series was the B-17B model. It had a crew of ten and four 1,200 hp, Wright R-1820-65 engines capable of propelling the B-17 at speeds of up to 462 km/h. The range was slightly over 3,200 km and it had a payload of approximately 2,700 kg. Equipped with seven .50 M2 Browning machine guns it could prove a dangerous adversary to opposing forces. An icon for its durability, the B-17 was used extensively used during World War II. However, it was quickly replace post-war due to multiple new advances in technology.
- Between 1951 and 1968 the Brazilian Air Force operated thirteen B-17G'S, modified for SAR. These B-17s operated with the FAB's 6 Group de Aviação in Recife. They flew with THE model A-1 rescue boats, which were made of wood, and were dropped from the airplanes by the means of a parachutes. Besides SAR, the B-17s played an important role in the logistic support for the Brazilian troops that operated in the Suez Canal area, under UN Command. These missions began in 1957 until the B-17s were replaced at the flight line in Suez in 1960
- The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft 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 outperformed both competitors and exceeded the air corps' expectations. Although Boeing lost the contract because the prototype crashed, the air corps was so impressed with Boeing's design that it ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances.
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