Saturday, July 16, 2011

A Short History of Bombers-- Part 2

1919-1927:

The Air Service and the Army adopt bomber naming types based on mission. Examples would be XI for day bombardment and HB for heavy bombardment. The most significant bomber of the period is the NBS-1 (MB-@), essentially an enlarged and strengthened GMB.


EARLY 1930s:

All-metal planes are mass-produced. The Air Corp's first all-metal monoplane (one wing) bomber is the Boeing B-9, folowed by the more popular Martin B-10.


MARCH 1935:

The War Department establishes the General headquarters (GHQ) Air Force to serve as a central striking force for long-range bombardment and to defend US coastal areas from sea attack.


SUMMER 1935:

Boeing unveils a four-engine, high-speed, long-range heavy bomber, eventually designated the B-17 Flying Fortress. More than 12,500 B-17s are manufactured. They saw much action in the next war.

Bombs Away! --Cooter

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