B-17G-60-VE

B-17G-60-VE

PB4Y-2

B-24D-25-CO

B-17G-60-VE

PB4Y-2

B-24D-25-CO

USA

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.0	5.3	6.3

Class:

Bomber

Long Range bomber

Research:46 000

Purchase:155 000

This page is about the aircraft B-17G-60-VE. For other uses, see B-17 (Disambiguation)

Description

The B-17G-60-VE Flying Fortress is a Rank IV American bomber with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB/RB) and 6.7 (SB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

The B-17G Flying Fortress, as the name suggests, is intended to be used as a high-altitude level bomber, designed to target enemy airfields and military bases. Despite its large bomb-load, it is not recommended to target moving ground targets such as tank formations. This due to the inaccuracy of bombs being released at high altitude. When using the B-17G, it is always best to group up with others in a wedge-like formation for optimal defense. The higher you climb the harder of a target you will become. A few fighter escorts, such as a squadron of P-51 Mustangs would ensure the survival of friendly bombers. Survival is an utmost importance to be remembered when using this plane. While you may miss one target, you can always make another pass once you reload and repair.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 7,680 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
491	476	11,156	37.5	38.2	2.2	2.2	600
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 7,680 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
?	?	11,156	??.?	??.?	?.?	?.?	?

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
360	300	323	~1	~1

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 360	< 300	< 323	> 310

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
6,180 m	4,000 hp	4708 hp

Survivability and armour

• 6.35 mm Steel - Lower nose armor plate
• 6.35 mm Steel - Back of pilot and co-pilot's seats
• 6.35 mm Steel - Dorsal turret gunner protective plate
• 6.35 mm Steel - Radio operator protective plate
• 6.35 mm Steel - Beam gunner protective armor x 2
• 6.35 mm Steel - Tail gunner protective plate
• 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Ball turret
• 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Tail gunner rear window

Armaments

Suspended armament

The B-17G-60-VE can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

• 8 x 500 lb bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 12 x 500 lb bombs (6,000 lb total)
• 6 x 1000 lb bombs (6,000 lb total)
• 8 x 1000 lb bombs (8,000 lb total)
• 2 x 2000 lb bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 4 x 2000 lb bombs (8,000 lb total)

Defensive armament

The B-17G-60-VE is defended by:

• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 Browning machine gun, tail turret, 575 rpg
• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 Browning machine gun, front dorsal turret, 500 rpg
• 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 Browning machine gun, rear dorsal turret, 500 rpg
• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 Browning machine gun, ventral turret, 500 rpg
• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 Browning machine gun, chin turret, 400 rpg
• 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x beam turret, 600 rpg
• 1 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 Browning machine gun, 2 x cheek turret, 300 rpg

Usage in the battles

When facing fighters and interceptors in Realistic Battles, it is best to use Omni-purpose or Armour-piercing/Ground Target ammunition belts for the 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns. These ammunition belts are effective at tearing through the engine block and hopefully resulting in an internal engine fire. You maybe also able to score a pilot kill on your opponent.

Specific enemies worth noting

B-17s are notoriously hard to kill when compared to similar Soviet and German bombers. However, with the B-17 the best defense is to evade your opponent altogether. Your worst enemies will be almost all fighters due to the high BR (FW-190 D, Ta-152, BF-109 G-10/K-4, F8F-1B, Tempest, etc.). Most fighters will have 2-4 cannons which can still make short work of the B-17.

B-17G dropping bombs in Europe

NOTE: The weakest area of approach with the B-17G is the front. Only 1-2 MGs can be focused directly forward if a fighter head-ons you. The crew is also focused at the nose. If there is a fighter at your level , try to turn and expose the tail "barb". Diving may work as well. However, diving can put you into more danger as more fighters may swarm you.

Counter-tactics

When climbing to fight the B-17, you will most likely have a lower energy level depending on the plane you use. The F8F-1B, for example, has an extremely good acceleration with WEP and can climb ridiculously quickly as well. If in a plane such as an F8F-1B, attempt to head on the B-17 as this is the weakest point. If the B-17 turns away, climb and chase the Flying Fortress at a higher altitude and then dive on it from an angle. Always avoid tailing a B-17, regardless of model. This just warrants a knocked-out pilot or fire.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator	Flak Vests	Turret 12 mm	LBC-17
II		Compressor	Airframe		SBC-17
III	Wings Repair	Engine		New 12 mm MGs (turret)	MBC-17
IV		Engine Injection	Cover		M10 Bomb Rack

• This slow and lumbering heavy bomber relies entirely on its turrets for defense. Without it the plane is target practice. Thus "Protective vests" should be the first unlock. Further survivability upgrades will make the fight easier, but do not think it will successfully face-off against enemy fighters. So upgrading the bomb payloads should be second priority. Performance modules can be considered least necessary.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Large bomb payload
• Powerful air defence capabilities
• Multiple engines
• Overall heavily armoured

Cons:

• Big target
• Fairly Slow
• Nose is extremely vulnerable for the pilot and crew
• Vulnerable to German "Minengeschoße" and >20 mm gunfire
• Engine fires are common
• Wings are big and thus commonly torn off by gunfire
• Aggressive turns may snap wings
• All fuel tanks are located in the wings, and are prone to catching fire and damaging/destroying wings

History

Due to direct experience from U.S. Bomber crews in 1943, the B-17F revealed inadequate protection from head on attacks by enemy fighters. The primary change introduced with the B-17G was the remote controlled chin turret armed with two 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns. This new addition proved to be more practical than manual operated guns initially fitted to the nose. The B-17G began delivery in September of 1943 and included various upgrades throughout its production. A total of 8,680 aircraft were built from three manufacturers until April of 1945. The B-17G could be considered the corner stone of U.S. bombing efforts in the European theater between 1944 and 1945.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• page on aircraft encyclopedia;
• other literature.