BOEING B-17 "Flying Fortress"

Primary Contractor:  Boeing Aircraft

Licensed builders: Vega Corporation and Douglas

Cost of a B17G in 1945:  $204,370

Number manufactured:

• B17B: 39
• B17C: 38
• B17D: 42
• B17E: 512
• B17F: 3,405
  • Boeing (BO): 2,300
  • Douglas (DL): 605
  • Vega (VE): 500
• B17G: 8,680
  • BO: 4,035
  • DL: 2,395
  • VE: 2,250
• Total: 12,731 including 15 prototypes.

B17G Specifications:

Powerplants:  Four 9-cylinder, air cooled, Wright Cyclone, R-1820-97 radial engines rated at 1,200 HP.  Gear ratio:  16:9

Recommended Time Between Overhauls:  1,200 HR

Propellers: Three bladed, constant speed, full feathering hydromatic by Hamilton Standard.  Diameter:  11 ft, 7 in.

Length 74 ft 9 in.

Height: 19 ft 1 in.

Wing: Clark Airfoil  (Root: NACA 0018 — Tip: NACA 0010)

Wingspan: 103 ft 9 in.

Wing area: 1,420 sq. ft.

Wing loading: 4.8 lb/sq ft.

Power loading: 13.5 lb/HP

Crew: 9 to 10 for non-lead aircraft.  11 to 12 for lead aircraft.

Weight:

• Empty: 32,720 lb
• Maximum War time Gross:  65,000 lbs
• Maximum T/O War Time Weight: 64,500 lb
• Useful load: 31,780 lb
• Payload w/std fuel: 21,580 lb
• Payload w/Tokyo Tanks: 15,100 lb
• Payload w/bomb bay tanks: 10,180 lb

Fuel Capacity

• Standard: 1,700 gal/10,200 lb
• with Tokyo tanks: 2,780 gal/16,680 lb
• with Bomb bay tanks: 3,600 gal/21,600 lb
• Oil capacity: 37 gal.

Bomb capacity:  6,000 lb (12 x 500 lb)

Performance:

• Take-off distance (ground roll) 3,350 ft
• Take-off distance over 50 ft obstacle: 4,400 ft
• Rate of climb (sea level) 575 feet per minute
• Max level speed at 30,000 ft: 300 mph
• Max continuous speed at 25,000 ft: 263 mph
• Normal cruise speed at 25,000 ft: 172 mph
• Normal cruise speed at 12,000 ft: 197 mph
• Maximum range (standard fuel load): 1,850 statute miles
• Maximum range (w/Tokyo tanks): 3,070 statute miles
• Cruise performance:
  • 83% power, autorich: 156 mph, 30,000 ft, 413 gallons per hour.
  • 83% power, autorich: 183 mph, 20,000 ft, 413 gph.
  • 63% power, autolean, 160 mph, 15,000 ft, 253 gph.
  • 58% power, autolean, 170 mph, 6,000 ft, 211 gph.
• Service ceiling: 35,600 ft
• Absolute ceiling: 40,000 ft.

Landing distance over 50 ft obstacle: 3,500 ft

Landing distnace, ground roll: 1,950 ft.

Limity and recommended airspeeds:

• V_MC (minimum control w/outboard engines inoperative): 106 mph
• V_γ (best rate of climb): 135 mph
• V_FE (max flap extended): 147 mph
• V_LO (max gear down): 180 mph
• V_MAX (never exceed): 270 mph
• V_S1 (stall, clean): 100 mph
• V_SO (stall, landing configuration): 88 mph

All specifications are based on manufacturing's calculations.  All performace figures are based on standard day, standard atmosphere, sea level, gross weight conditions unless otherwise noted.

Sources:

• AOPA Pilot
• www.b17.org