The B-17 played a crucial role in transforming ... A total of 12,731 B-17s were produced while 18,482 Consolidated B-24 ...

this and the B-24’s greater vulnerability to battle damage (the leaky fuel system was a particular problem) made the B-17 the preferred strategic bomber in the European theatre.” Despite such ...

As the US military was looking to expand production of Boeing's B-17 bomber in ... turned out a new bomber design, and it received a contract for a flyable prototype, the XB-24, in March 1939.

The first piece of B-24 was completed at Willow Run two days after the attack. But Edsel had promised that the massive bombers would take flight in May 1942. After numerous delays and production ...