The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress flew in every combat zone during World War II, but its most significant service was over Europe. Along with the B-24 Liberator, the B-17 formed the backbone of the USAAF strategic bombing force, and it helped win the war by crippling Germany’s war industry. The aircraft on display, the famed B-17F Memphis Belle, became the first heavy bomber to return to the US after flying 25 missions over Europe. The Memphis Belle, which had been on loan from the Air Force to th

The Boeing B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ boasts a remarkable legacy, as both a strategic weapon and an enduring symbol of American air power during the Second World War. Designed as a large, multi-engine bomber with substantial defensive armament, the B-17 was introduced in 1938. First used in combat with the RAF in 1941, carrying out bombing raids in France, its poor performance suggested that improved defences and greater bombing accuracy were needed. Later variants like the B-17G were more effective