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Probably the best known during the war was the Memphis Belle, a B-17 of the 91st Bomb Group, which operated from Bassingbourne England. The Belle and her crew were the first Americans to successfully complete a tour of duty, finishing the required 25 missions in May, 1943. At that stage of the war there were not yet fighter planes capable of escorting the bombers deep into enemy territory, and most crews were being shot down before they could finish their tour. The Belle and her crew were the subject of a documentary film by Hollywood director William Wyler which was shown in theaters across America. The film included actual combat footage and focused on their last mission. After that last mission the Belle was flown back to the states by her crew and they went on a tour around the country to promote buying War Bonds, visiting the hometown of each member of the crew and every major US city. The pilot, Robert Morgan of Asheville NC, died in May 2004. When the Belle visited Asheville in 1943 on the Bond Tour, upon leaving Morgan flew over the city, where the City Hall and Courthouse stand side by side, approximately fifteen stories tall. Morgan stood the Belle on one wing and flew the massive aircraft between them. The Belle stood in front of a National Guard Armory in Memphis for many years, where she was vandalized. Finally she was restored and a permanent home built for her on Mud Island, along the Memphis waterfront on the Mississippi. The Belle was named in honor of Morgan's girlfriend, who was from Memphis, but they never married.
The 91st Bomb Group was also the subject of a book, "12 O'Clock High", which was made into a movie starring Gregory Peck, and also a 60s television show by Quinn Martin. The group had four squadrons and a total bomber strength of 48-72 B-17s and lost 197 bombers destroyed during the war. Morgan also wrote a book, and there was at least one other book treating the 91st BG of WWII, "My Two Wars". There was also a movie made about 1990, with Matthew Modine and Harry Connick, Jr., "The Memphis Belle", focusing on the last mission, with more Hollywood than fact in it.
Today, probably the most famous WWII bomber in the Enola Gay, the B-29 which dropped the first Atomic Bomb on Japan. That was of course only days before the end of the war. During the war, the Belle was the best known US bomber.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe US had three types of heavy, four-engine bombers in WWII. The Boeing B-17, the Consolidated B-24, and the Boeing B-29. The B-29 was only used in the Pacific, and had a larger range and greater payload than the earlier two designs. The B-17 and B-24 were used in the bombing of Europe from the UK by the US 8th AF. Over 12,000 B-17s were built, and over 13,000 B-24s.
The US also operated two-engine medium bombers, the North American B-25 and the Martin B-26. The B-25 was the aircraft used in Jimmy Doolittle's raid on Tokyo in April, 1942.
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How long was bomber pilot training during World War 2?
It differed between Air Forces, but was generally about a year in total
What allied bomber had the most missions during World War 2?
This is mostly a matter of opinion, however, I would say it would have to be the B-17 Flying Fortress.Another OpinionThe best heavy bomber was, in my opinion, the Avro Lancaster and, by far, the best light bomber was the de Havilland Mosquito.
What were the major developments of the Pacific War during World War 2?
Long Range Submarines, Fleet Aircraft Carriers, Long Range Bombers (B-29 Superfortress), Amphibious Tractors (Landing Craft), Nuclear Weapons.
How long is a b-52 bomber?
A B-52H is 159 feet long.
What was long range artillery used for in world war 1?
Shooting the badguys from a long distance with great accrucy.
What is a b-24?
A B-24 is a long range bomber, which was used in World War II.
Why was the B-52 bomber developed?
Because the US needed a new strategic, long range bomber.
How long was bomber pilot training during World War 2?
It differed between Air Forces, but was generally about a year in total
What bomber planes started with the letter b?
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long range bomber operated by the United States Air Force.
Why did they develop the b-2 bomber?
They developed the B2 to get a large, long range, low profile bomber that would emit a low radar signature.
How did airplanes make World War 2 different than the other wars?
They were used in massive numbers and played pioneering roles. Aircraft were now functioning with great effect and had created revolutionary designs. Plus, new specific roles were now assigned to aircraft as opposed to simply fighter and bomber in WWI, such as diver-bomber, ground-attack or night-bombers as well as long-range and short-range capabilities.
What is b-29 aircraft?
B-29 Superfortress built by Boeing. The Superfortress was the only US bomber capable of bombing Japan (reaching) during WWII. The B-17 Flying Fortress did not have the long range required, thusly, the B-29 had to do the job.
How long is the Vulcan bomber?
138
What allied bomber had the most missions during World War 2?
This is mostly a matter of opinion, however, I would say it would have to be the B-17 Flying Fortress.Another OpinionThe best heavy bomber was, in my opinion, the Avro Lancaster and, by far, the best light bomber was the de Havilland Mosquito.
What were the major developments of the Pacific War during World War 2?
Long Range Submarines, Fleet Aircraft Carriers, Long Range Bombers (B-29 Superfortress), Amphibious Tractors (Landing Craft), Nuclear Weapons.
What was the B-17's purpose in World War 2?
Strategic bombing. Carry large load of bombs over a long range and drop them on a target at high altitude. The B-17 was a bomber. It's mission was to eliminate the enemy's ability to fight, transport supplies, and manufacture weapons and supplies to the troops. They targeted factories, trains and other types of transportation and enemy encampments. In simple terms, it was built to vanquish to enemies ability to make war.
What is the USFs new b2 bomber replacement?
Currently there is no replacement for the B-2 stealth bomber. Nor does there seem to be any great need for it. The B-2 was designed during the Cold War purely for the purpose of flying undetected through Soviet radar and air defenses during a nuclear war. When the Cold War 'ended' in 1992 and tensions eased between the US and USSR there seemed to be little need for such an expensive and specialized weapons system. Currently the US Air Force relies on its inventory of the B-2 Stealth Bombers, the B-1 Supersonic Bombers, and its fleet of aging B-52 bombers. At this time there is little more than speculation about what the next generation bomber might be. Originally it was intended that an interim bomber might be in the works, ready for service in or about 2018. This would have been the B-3. But this seems to have died because of budget cuts. Regardless, the '2018 Bomber' may not have been an actual replacement for any of the three long range intercontinental bombers mentioned above, and may have been an intermediate range bomber. Another possibility is what is sometimes referred to as the '2037 Bomber', described by Wikipedia as "a stealthy, supersonic, long-range, heavy-payload, possibly unmanned aircraft to potentially replace the B-52 Stratofortress, which is scheduled to be retired in 2040". However, what form this '2037 Bomber' will take is pure speculation.
