The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most famous U.S. bombers ever produced, and was the backbone of the 8th Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign in the European theater. Its combination of maneuverability, range, and heavy bombs loads was unmatched by any other medium range heavy bomber and helped secure air superiority over the cities factories and battlefields of Western Europe. Its ability to return home despite extensive battle damage quickly took on mythic proportions, and proved to be one of the most favored airplanes of the 8th Air Force crews.