90 Years of Boeing B-17

[archipeppe]

Today it marks 90 years of the first flight of the Boeing Model 299 (dubbed "Mistery Ship") that represented the true forerunner of all the other Flying Fortress that came later.
Here it is my tribute, let's celebrate!!

 

[fightingirish]

Great work, archipeppe!


Hi everyone, the German aviation magazine "FlugRevue" has published an article today on their website about the first flight of the Boeing Model 299 (YB-17 or Y1B-17).
Here's a quick summary of the article in English:

The B-17 Flying Fortress: A Turning Point in Aviation
90 years ago, the prototype of the B-17 bomber, known as Model 299, made its maiden flight.
Despite its promising design, the aircraft's early career ended in a crash, prompting safety innovations that remain standard in aviation today. The name "Flying Fortress" was coined by reporter Roland Smith due to its extensive defensive armament—five Browning machine guns. Boeing’s development of the Model 299 laid the foundation for the iconic B-17 bomber, which became one of the most famous aircraft of World War II and influenced modern aviation.

Source (German, but behind a paywall):
https://www.flugrevue.de/klassiker/...s-fliegt-und-aendert-die-luftfahrt-bis-heute/