How many missions did B-17 crews fly?
25
Although crew members were required to fly a minimum of 25 combat missions before returning to the United States, some were called back to duty for another 25. However, others stayed behind to complete 30 missions to avoid having to return from the states for a second tour of duty.
How many missions did the Memphis Belle fly?
25 missions
On May 17, 1943, the crew of the Memphis Belle, one of a group of American bombers based in Britain, becomes the first B-17 crew to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States.
How many B-17 bombers were shot down in ww2?
The B-17 dropped more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of approximately 1.5 million tons of bombs dropped on Nazi Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, over 640,000 tons (42.6%) were dropped from B-17s….Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
| B-17 Flying Fortress | |
|---|---|
| Developed into | Boeing 307 Stratoliner |
What was the life expectancy of a B 17 crew?
He was not alone in that conviction. Nothing in the peacetime lives of thousands of young Americans had prepared them for the violence that lay ahead. Although such statistics were not circulated among Army Air Forces crews, the average life expectancy of an Eighth Air Force B-17 in late 1943 was 11 missions.
How many B-17 does Memphis Belle have?
Five
Memphis Belle film (1990) Five airworthy B-17s were used in the filming of the 1990 British-American war drama Memphis Belle. Two were from the US (N-17W), both on display in Seattle: the Movie Memphis Belle (44-83546), and B-17G Sally B from the UK.
What was the name of the B-17 that flew 25 missions?
Maxwell B-24. The Memphis Belle was a B-17 that received much more fame. It flew 25 missions with the same crew, and completed that feat a few months after the Hot Stuff. The captain of the crew, Robert Morgan, flew 29 missions in total.
When did the B 17 bomber first fly?
In theory, in the words of British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, the “bomber will always get through.” The Americans believed the B-17, with the Norden bomb sight, could be that bomber. It was a four engine, heavy bomber which first flew on July 28, 1935.
Who are the best bombers of World War 2?
Top Bombers & Pilots of WW2. 1 Youngest Pilot. Marty Sidener became the youngest pilot in World War II. He completed his initial training when he was 17, and was called up to active 2 92 Missions. 3 The Forgotten Hot Stuff. 4 Memphis Belle. 5 The Medal of Honor for 666.
How many missions did pilots fly in World War 2?
The intense fighting of World War II produced many missions. Many pilots received a break after 25 missions, but others pilots flew more. This sometimes led to confusion in which the records of individual pilots and crews were mistaken for that of the aircraft and vice versa.