Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress NAN10-50.jpg|thumb|B-17 modified for testing of the [[Pratt & Whitney T34|XT-34 turboprop]]. When testing concluded, the aircraft was restored to stock configuration as the "[[Liberty Belle (B-17)|Liberty Belle]]", but was lost in a post-forced-landing fire near [[Oswego, Illinois]] on 13 June 2011.]] [[Category:Boeing aircraft|B-17 Flying Fortress]] [[Category:United States bomber aircraft 1930–1939]] [[Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] [[Category:World War II bombers of the United States]] [[Category:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress| ]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1935]] Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engined heavy bomber developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing
RAF Bomber Command aircrew of World War II Bomber Command during World War II examples being Sergeant Ronald Lewis serving as a wireless operator/air gunner aboard a No. 51 Squadron RAF Armstrong Whitworth Whitley was shot down on 20 July 1940, and Sergeant Gerald Tickner serving as mid upper gunner aboard a No. 640 Squadron RAF Handley Page Halifax shot down on 13 September 1944. A "Main Force" heavy bomber squadron was commanded by an officer holding the rank wing commander who was usually a pilot by trade. Known as "the CO", or commanding officer, he had several flight commanders who reported to him. These men usually held