Which Was Better At Bombing? B-17 vs B-24

An Interesting Analysis: B-17 vs. B-24 in WWII

During World War II, the 8th and 15th U.S. Army Air Forces relied heavily on two iconic heavy bombers—the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator—to strike vital German war targets. But when it comes down to combat performance, which aircraft truly stands out?

This video breaks down the effectiveness of each bomber by comparing a range of operational metrics. Factors such as bomb accuracy, survivability, and mission losses are all analyzed to determine which plane had the upper hand in the European theater.

In the end, the B-17 comes out on top.

It not only suffered fewer combat losses per sortie, but also demonstrated better bomb accuracy and superior handling characteristics. Pilots reported improved visibility in the B-17, which contributed to its ease of operation. Additionally, the Flying Fortress proved safer for crews during water ditching scenarios and was involved in fewer overall accidents.

While both aircraft were instrumental to the Allied bombing campaign, the B-17’s combination of durability, accuracy, and crew survivability gave it the edge over the B-24 in the skies over Europe.