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
Alan Magee Alan Magee Alan Eugene Magee (January 13, 1919 – December 20, 2003) was an American airman during World War II who survived a 22,000-foot (6,700 m) fall from his damaged B-17 Flying Fortress. He was featured in "Smithsonian Magazine" as one of the 10 most amazing survival stories of World War II. Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, Magee joined the United States Army Air Forces and was assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 bomber. On January 3, 1943, his Flying Fortress—B-17F-27-BO, "41-24620", nicknamed "snap! crackle! pop!"—part of the 360th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, was on