B17 Flying Fortress History Channel Battle Stations XviD-OT

U.S. heavy bomber used during World War II. The B-17 was designed by the Boeing Aircraft Company in response to a 1934 Army Air Corps specification that called for a four-engined bomber at a time when two engines were the norm.

The bomber was intended from the outset to attack strategic targets by precision daylight bombing, penetrating deep into enemy territory by flying above the effective range of antiaircraft artillery.

Turbo-supercharged radial engines were to give the necessary high-altitude performance, and heavy defensive armament was to provide protection against attacking fighters.

Accuracy was to be achieved with the Norden bombsight, developed and fielded in great secrecy during the 1930s.