What was the life expectancy of a B-17 crew?
Although such statistics were not circulated among Army Air Forces crews, the average life expectancy of an Eighth Air Force B-17 in late 1943 was 11 missions.
How many B-17s were shot down?
Some B-17 bombers crash-landed or were forced down on German soil, and about 40 of them were put into service by the German Luftwaffe. They were designated Do 200 and were used in reconnaissance operations.
B-17 Flying Fortress.
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Primary Role | Heavy Bomber |
| Maiden Flight | 28 July 1935 |
How many tons of bombs could a B-17 carry?
The B-17 dropped more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of approximately 1.5 million tons of bombs dropped on Nazi Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, over 640 000 tons (42.6%) were dropped from B-17s.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
| B-17 Flying Fortress | |
|---|---|
| Developed into | Boeing 307 Stratoliner |
How many pounds of bombs could a B-17 hold?
A 4,000-pound (1,800-kg) bomb load was typical for long missions, though the B-17 could carry up to 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) internally for shorter distances at lower altitudes and even more on external racks beneath the wings.
How many B-17 crews completed 25 missions?
But flying it proved deadly. So much so that the odds of a B-17 crewman surviving the 25 missions required to complete a tour were only one in four.
What was the average age of a B-17 pilot?
The average age of the crew of a B-17 was less than 25, with four officers and six enlisted Airmen manning the aircraft. Their chance of survival was less than 50 percent.
What plane shot down the most planes in WW2?
It is accurate to state that the P-38 did shoot down more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF plane with 1,857, with the P-40 running a close second at 1,633.5. Even though the F6F did not start reaching Naval and Marine units in the Pacific until late 1943, once it did it came in prodigious numbers.
Was the b24 better than the B-17?
The B-24 was a faster plane having a greater range and payload capacity. However, in the ETO, the B-24 operated with the B-17 which constrained the aircraft’s operating speed. The B17 was a sedate aircraft and placed fewer demands on the flight deck crew.
Who has the best air force in WW2?
1. The United States Army Air Force. American military planners went to war in December 1941 with several assumptions about the capabilities of their aircraft.
What was the life expectancy of a tail gunner?
The Rear-Turret Gunners were in the most vulnerable position on the Plane. The life expectancy of a WW2 Rear-gunner varied but was never high, mostly about just 5 Sorties.
What pilot had the most kills in World War II?
A new book examines the life of the WWII German ace. Luftwaffe fighter pilot Erich Hartmann was exceedingly good at aerial combat. While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills.
How cold did it get in a B-17?
“It was 60 degrees below zero at 22,000 feet.” Throat microphones allowed them to communicate, while electrically heated suits and gloves helped the crew members deal with the cold. They wore oxygen masks because they operated at up to 28,000 feet.
How many B 52 bombers have been shot down?
Only 90 of 99 planned B-52s sorties were effective and six BUFFs were shot down. Two Gs and one D were lost in the first wave and an identical number were downed in the third wave. Three were struck prior to bomb release and three afterward; four went down near Hanoi while two made it out of North Vietnam.
Who was the greatest fighter pilot of all time?
1. Erich „Bubi“ Hartmann. Erich Hartmann is the most successful fighter pilot of all times – with 352 kills. A number that will never be surpassed.
What was the best fighter plane during WW2?
The P-51D Mustang is considered by many to be the #1 fighter aircraft of WWII. With internal tanks, the plane had a range of 950 miles. The range increased to 2,200 miles with external tanks. This aircraft was both fast and maneuverable.
What was the fastest Allied fighter plane of WW2?
With a top speed of 540 mph, Germany’s Messerschmitt Me 262 was by far the fastest fighter of World War II. It was powered by jet engines, a new technology that was not always reliable. Still, the streamlined Me 262 looked—and behaved—unlike anything else in the skies over Europe, and Allied pilots initially feared it.
What country had the best planes in WW2?
which country had the best fighter planes of WWII
- Japan. 1.51%
- Italy. 0.71%
- France. 0.30%
- Great Britain. 102. 10.29%
- USA. 504. 50.86%
- Russia. 2.02%
- Germany. 333. 33.60%
- China. 0.20%
What country had the best tanks in WW2?
Germany and the Soviet Union built the best tanks of World War II. Among WW2 tanks, the series of Panzerkampfwagen (armored fighting vehicles) that spearheaded Hitler’s blitzkriegs in Europe and Russia caught the world’s attention and convinced other Western nations of the need to match the German standard.
What was the best gun in ww2?
The M1 Garand was the first standard-issue semi-automatic rifle, and General George S. Patton called it “the greatest battle implement ever devised”. In 1936, the Garand officially replaced the M1903 Springfield, becoming the standard service rifle of the United States Armed Forces.
Could a Sherman tank destroy a Panzer?
And with maximum efficiency. Before it could cause damage to the German vehicles.
What was the most feared tank in ww2?
Germany’s Tiger tank
Germany’s Tiger tank, whether in the form of the Tiger I or later Tiger II (King Tiger), was the most feared tank of WWII.
What was the most feared weapon in WW2?
The German Flak 88mm
The Flak 88 (abbreviated from the German “FLug Abwehr Kanone,” or “anti-aircraft cannon”) was the most feared artillery weapon of WWII.
What is the greatest tank of all time?
Currently top 10 best tanks in the world are these:
- Nr.1 Leopard 2A7 (Germany) …
- Nr.2 K2 Black Panther (South Korea) …
- Nr.3 M1A2 SEP (USA) …
- Nr.4 Challenger 2 (United Kingdom) …
- Nr.5 Armata (Russia) …
- Nr.6 Merkava Mk.4 (Israel) …
- Nr.7 Type 90 (Japan) …
- Nr.8 Leclerc (France)
What is the scariest tank in the world?
10 Of The Most Feared Tanks On The Battlefield
- 1 WW2 – T34.
- 2 WW2 – M18 Hellcat. …
- 3 WW2 – LKZ IS2 MBT. …
- 4 WW2 German Tiger II. …
- 5 Modern Battlefield – Uralvagonzavod T-72. …
- 6 Modern Battlefield – BAE Systems Challenger 2 MBT. …
- 7 Modern Battlefield – Hyundai K2 Black Panther. …
- 8 Modern Battlefield – Uralvagonzavod Armata T-14 MBT. …
Did the Tiger 2 see combat?
Combat history
The first combat use of the Tiger II was by the 1st Company of the 503rd Heavy Panzer Battalion (s.H.Pz.Abt. 503) during the Battle of Normandy, opposing Operation Atlantic between Troarn and Demouville on 18 July 1944.
Which tank was better king tiger or Panther?
The Panther was a compromise. While having essentially the same Maybach V12 petrol (690 hp) engine as the Tiger I, it had more effective frontal hull armour, better gun penetration, was lighter and faster, and could traverse rough terrain better than the Tiger I.
Did the Allies ever use captured German tanks?
While the Allies were usually blessed with a marked numerical superiority over the Axis forces, Allied troops did not hesitate to use captured AFVs to supplement their numbers still further. The belief that German armored vehicles were qualitatively superior to Allied models only reinforced the desire to use them.
What was the best medium tank in ww2?
T-34 – This medium Soviet tank was in production from 1940 thru 1958. Though later tanks produced during this time period proved to have better armor and armament, the T-34 is often recognized as the most effective, highly influential and efficient tank design of WWII.
Were Tiger tanks used at Stalingrad?
A battalion of Tiger I tanks was deployed to Army Group Don to strengthen the German drive to Stalingrad.
Was the Tiger the best tank in ww2?
Nazi Germany’s Tiger is arguably the most famous tank of World War II. With its thick armor and devastating 88-millimeter gun, the Mark VI—or Tiger I—soon earned a devastating reputation on the battlefield.
Why were German tanks so good?
The German Tiger tank (above) had a more powerful main gun, heavier armor, and wider tracks than the American Sherman tank (below). The German 88 is more powerful than any American tank gun used during the course of most of the war.
What was the best German tank in World War II?
The Panther
The Panther is often believed to be the best German tank of the Second World War. When the Germans invaded Russia in June 1941, they were surprised by the quantity and quality of Soviet armour. Hitler ordered that the T-34 be copied and the result was the Panther, which saw action for the first time at Kursk in 1943.