#b-17d

B-17 Evolution

Taken from Popular Science magazine August 1945 pages 92-93.

Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress with engines running.

Date: February 3, 1941

"A RAF 90 Squadron B-17 Flying Fortress ('WP', serial number AN519) before taking off on a mission to attack the German capital ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in August 1941. Passed for publication August 8, 1941. Printed caption on reverse: 'The Flying Fortress. American engineering made history on July 24th, when for the first time, Fortress Aircraft dropped bombs on an enemy target from so great a height that the bombers were neither visible or audible from the ground. This formation of Fortress 'planes was the spearhead of the biggest daylight attack yet made by the R.A.F. With the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau as their targets, their bombs fell with amazing accuracy then and on their subsequent flights over German territory. This triumph of American workmanship has proved one of the greatest successes of the war. Photo Shows:- The Flying Fortress before she makes a trip. F.N.A. Aug 1941.' Censor no: 154761. On reverse: Copyright Fox Photos, Approved For Issue Air Adviser and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau."

Date: August 1941