Museum of Flight: World War II bombers (photo diary)

by Ojibwa for Kossack Air Force

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Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at 7:27:12am PDT

The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world. It has more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft. The museum’s outdoor pavilion includes two World War II bombers.

B-17F Flying Fortress

In 1935, prior to World War II, The Boeing Company designed and produced the B-17 Flying Fortress as a four-engine heavy strategic bomber. During the war it was used on multiple fronts. A total of 12,731 were produced. Production ceased in April 1945.

The B-17 was envisioned as an “aerial battleship.” According to the display:

“The B-17 was legendary for its ability to take punishment and bring crewmen home. Many B-17s limped home from battle with terrible damage that would have destroyed lesser aircraft.”

The B-17 has a top speed of 315 mph and a range of 3,500 miles. It carried a crew of ten.

B-29 Superfortress

According to the display:

“The B-29 Superfortress revolutionized World War Two-era bombers. The ‘super bomber’ could carry a much greater bomb load and fly faster than the Army’s B-17 or B-24 heavy bombers. Equally important was its increased range—over 1,000 miles (1,609 km) farther than the B-17.”