Boeing C-108 Flying Fortress Boeing C-108 Flying Fortress C-108 Flying Fortress was the designation of four United States B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers which were converted to transport aircraft during World War II. The first C-108 built (designated XC-108) was a B-17E ("41-2593") converted to a V.I.P. transport for General Douglas MacArthur in 1943. With the exception of the nose and tail turrets, all armament was removed, as was all armor. The interior of the plane was made into a flying office for MacArthur, with extra windows, cooking facilities, and living space. To facilitate entry and exit, a drop-down door with steps was installed
RAF Bomber Command aircrew of World War II air gunner to man the mid-upper gun turret although sometimes the gunners would agree to exchange turrets. At the outbreak of war in September 1939 operational Royal Air Force bomber squadrons in Europe were equipped with two main categories of bombers, single-engined Fairey Battle and twin-engined Bristol Blenheim light bombers and Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Vickers Wellington and Handley Page Hampden medium bombers. Bomber Command aircrew "trades" flying operationally in the early stages of the war were: Pilot – A qualified pilot flew the aircraft and in the Royal Air Force was usually the captain (function not rank) of the crew,