Without a doubt, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is the most-recognized and well-known aircraft to emerge from World War II. Designed during peacetime, the aircraft was not rushed to the drawing board and emerged as wonderful aircraft to fly. The Fortress was a very stable and forgiving aircraft, truly a "pilot's aircraft" in all respects, and was a pleasure to fly. It can be trimmed to fly hands-off for any normal flight regime and, while slow to maneuver, is quite responsive to the controls for such a large craft. While aerobatics are prohibited officially, there are many documented cases of B-17s being put into spins, rolls, stalls, and other acrobatics by instructors and pilots who flew the type. Pilots who flew all of the major American bombers of WWII -- the B-17, B-24, and B29 -- state almost universally that the B-17 was a joy to fly as compared to the other types.
Pilot Comments:
"The B-24 is a truck. The B-17 is an airplane."
"The B-17 was designed for 200-hour pilots who came straight from the farm into flight training. It was meant to be as easy to fly as a four-engine bomber could possibly be. It's rugged, simple, and has a good temperament. It takes a lot to piss it off."
Virtual Cockpit
