| B-17E/Late Flying Fortress | |
|---|---|
| |
| Note: Base stats only (no upgrade installed) | |
| Rank | III (3) |
| Battle Rating | 5.7 |
| Type | Heavy Bomber |
| Maximum Speed on height | 484 km/h at 7680 m |
| Maximum Altitude | 11,156 m |
| Turn Time | 37.9 seconds |
| Rate of Climb | 5.6 m/s |
| Takeoff Run | 600 m |
| Armament | 3x Turret: 2x 12.7 mm Browning machine guns (3000 rds) 5x Turret: 1x 12.7 mm Browning machine gun (2300 rds) 8x 500 lbs bombs |
The Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress (Late), is an American heavy bomber, characterized by its ruggedness, defensive armament, and accuracy. The B-17E currently sits at Rank 3 in the American line with an upfront cost of 230,000 
. The primary differences between the B-17E/Late and the B-17E is that the B-17E/Late replaced the B-17E's standard belly turret with a ball turret, and that the B-17E/Late has updated USAAF roundels rather than USAAC markings. Otherwise, they are essentially identical aircraft. All in all the only differences are cosmetics...
Design, Development, & History[]
The legendary B-17 American heavy bombers were rightly called Flying Fortresses. This four-engine heavy bomber was an all-metal hero, an extremely durable aircraft that could return to the airfield with just one engine, riddled with bullets.
But the early models of the B-17 had a significant blind spot in the rear, so fighter support was required. To solve this problem, the B-17E was produced, and a turret with two 12.7 mm machine guns was installed in the tail section of the aircraft. To do this the fuselage size had to be increased. In addition, to improve control of the plane, the tail was broadened and a larger vertical fin was installed.
Although it lost some speed when compared to the B-17D, the new model faired favorably with its new protection and thus became the first truly mass-produced B-17. From September 5, 1941 to May 1942, 512 aircraft were made on the production line, before the development of the B-17F.
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