The first experimental model of the B-17 bomber crashed on its first test flight, killing three on board, but Boeing was allowed to continue developing the aircraft, with more than 12,000 eventually being built.
October 31, 2021
Stories this photo appears in:
October 31, 2021 1 a.m.
HISTORY CORNER: World War II’s incredible flying fortress
Luftwaffe fighter escorts wounded B-17 bomber
The American bomber was so badly shot up, it was a sitting duck for the German Messerschmidt 109 fighter plane.