The B-17, arguably World War II's most famous heavy bomber, first flew on July 28th, 1935, before a crowd of reporters eager to see Boeing's new bomber take wing. It was dubbed the "Flying Fortress" by the members of the press in attendance because of its (at least for the time) heavy defensive armament. The prototype crashed in October, but because of its impressive speed and handling the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) decided to continue testing anyway. They ordered 13 YB-17s for further evaluation, a decision that would prove momentous in years to come.

The YB-17 had five machine guns, room for 4,800 pounds of bombs and a crew of nine. It had electrically retractable landing gear. After testing the YB-17, an improved prototype, the Y1B-17, was built with Wright Cyclone radial engines. Twelve were delivered to the USAAC's 2nd Bombardment Group for trials. One of these was soon equipped with new Moss/General Electric turbochargers that became standard on all future Flying Fortresses. The first production order was for 39 B-17Bs with turbo-charged engines, and as soon as these were under production another order for the B-17C was placed, with seven machine guns instead of the original five.

The RAF received their first B-17Cs in 1941, and were soon conducting daylight raids over Germany. The defensive armament soon proved inadequate, and the B-17's altitude was little defense against the German fighters. Orders for the B-17D were soon placed with self-sealing fuel tanks and more armor because of lessons learned in bombing missions over Europe. The B-17E and B-17F soon followed with larger tail. The B-17F was the first to serve with the USAAF 8th Air Force. After suffering staggering losses in late 1943, analysis proved head-on attacks by enemy fighters were a distinct problem. The final major version, the B-17G, added a chin turret with dual machineguns. This gave the B-17 a defensive armament of 13 guns.

After the war, several dozen B-17s lived on as fire-bombers and aerial surveyors until the last one was retired in the 1970s. Today, a few B-17s have been restored to their wartime splendor. Ten are currently flying in the United States, one in the UK and another one in France.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a B-17F Flying Fortress heavy bomber was nicknamed "Royal Flush" and attached to the 418th Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, then deployed to Bassingbourn, England, on October 10th, 1943. Pre-order! Ship Date: 2025. May be delayed.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 17-1/2-inches
Length: 12-1/4-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Royal Flush" - Although the men of the 100th Bomb Group had already suffered losses since arriving in England at the end of May 1943, the mission which defined this unit and created the legend of the 'Bloody Hundredth' took place on October 10th that same year. Sent to target the homes of railway workers at Munster, 13 of the 100th Bomb Group's Fortresses were committed to the raid.

On the way into the target, the formation was repeatedly attacked by a huge force of enemy fighters, only abating when the intense and deadly flak barrage took over. On the way home, the fighters returned, and American bombers continued to fall from the skies, as it seemed the Luftwaffe were determined to make a statement defense that day.

As the Commanders waited at Thorpe Abbotts for the return of their aircraft, they must have been horrified to see just a single B-17 aircraft approaching the airfield. Piloting Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress 42-6087 'Royal Flush', Lt Robert 'Rosie' Rosenthal had only managed to nurse his aircraft home after flying such aggressive defensive maneuvers over Europe that the attacking fighters couldn't get his aircraft in their sights.

She had two engines out, a huge hole in her wing and several injured crew members, but 'Royal Flush' was the only one of the 13 100th Bomb Group B-17s to make it home from that disastrous mission.