YB-40 Flying Fortress | |
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The prototype XB-40 was a Boeing B-17F modified by Lockheed Vega (Project V-139) by converting the second production B-17F-1-BO (s/n 41-24341). | |
Role | Bomber escort |
Built by | Lockheed-Vega |
First flight | 10 November 1942 |
Introduction | 29 May 1943 |
Retired | October 1943 |
Primary user | United States Army Air Forces |
Number built | 25 |
Developed from | Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress |
The Boeing YB-40 Flying Fortress was a modification for operational testing purposes of the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber aircraft, converted to act as a heavily armed gunship to support other bombers during World War II. At the time of its development, long-range fighter aircraft such as the North American P-51 Mustang were just entering quantity production, and thus were not yet available to accompany bombers all the way from England to Germany and back.