Large Aircraft for the R.A.F

Abstract

IT has recently been revealed that twenty Boeing “Flying Fortresses” (B–17.C.type), all of which have been flown across the Atlantic, are now in service with the Royal Air Force. The official R.A.F. title for these will be “Fortress 1”. Further supplies of an improved design (B–17.E.) are under construction in the United States. These bombers, the largest at present in service, have a span of 104 ft. and a length of 68 ft. They are equipped with four engines of 1,200 h.p. each, supercharged, can maintain a speed of 305 miles an hour at an altitude of 25,000 ft., and have a ceiling of 36,000 ft. With speeds and heights of this order they can put up a reasonable defence against enemy fighters, and the problem of providing them with fighter escorts is simplified as their performance is comparable to that of their protectors. Particular attention has been paid to protective armament, the wide angle of fire over which the machine guns can traverse giving almost complete cover in any direction.