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
Bomber Mafia Bomber Mafia The Bomber Mafia were a close-knit group of American military men who believed that long-range heavy bomber aircraft in large numbers were able to win a war. The derogatory term 'Bomber Mafia' was used before and after World War II by those in the military who did not share their belief, and who were frustrated by the insistence of the men that the heavy bomber should take a primary position in planning and funding. After World War II, the 20 years of foundational work by the bomber mafia resulted in the separation of the United States Air Force