That Time A B-17 Got Jet Engines

Not Your Ordinary B-17

A normal B-17 is equipped with four engines with each one producing at least 1200 hp, and reaching a maximum speed of 4800 hp when combined. However, this particular B-17G has an extra jet engine mounted on the nose- this XT35 typhoon turboprop engine that produced 6000 shaft hp alone. Combined, it can reach a stunning 10,800 hp, over its original power. This wasn’t your ordinary B-17, it was one of the most powerful B-17s ever produced in terms of speed and power.

Having this kind of modification made this particular B-17 extremely loud compared to an average B-17 and so powerful that all other engines could be shut off and feathered. During testing, it could reach a maximum dive speed of 360 mph in a straight line- almost the same speed as a Focke-Wulf 109 from the German Luftwaffe. Moreover, the plane’s jet engine was floated down to prevent the plane from tearing apart because of overspeeding.

A Test Plane of Future Planes                       

The B-17 has proven itself to be one if not the best bombers in the world. It could carry up to 2200 kg. of payload, cruise at an altitude of 30,000 ft., and have a maximum speed of 318 mph. It was a brilliant design. However, WWII technology is rapidly advancing. The Germans started the development of jet-powered aircraft and America wanted something bigger and more powerful to counter it.

During this time, subsonic and supersonic fighter jets were also being developed alongside the B-29 Superfortress. However, a test platform was needed before it could be put into production. This particular B-17 would serve as a test bed for many iconic propeller-driven aircraft and jets of the future.         

Retirement and a Sad End

The B-17G would survive the war and go on to live in a museum. However, in October 1978, a tornado would blow over the Bradley Air Museum, tearing the plane in half. However, the pieces weren’t scrapped and 7 years later, the wreck would be sold to a restoration company. After 12 years, took the skies again for the first time.

However, on June 13, 2011, during a routine flight, a crack in the fuel tank caused leaks that caused an inflight fire. The crew managed to land on a cornfield and all 7 of the crew went out safely. However, the ground was incredibly muddy and the fire engines couldn’t get close to the burning Liberty Bell. The crew watched as the iconic plane was burned into pieces, 72 years after it was first made and from being restored from a total wreck. The amazing Frankenstein B-17G was now gone for good.