B-17G Flying Fortress 45" Wing SpanThe B 17 lived up to its flying fortress nickname during World War 2 when it penetrated deep into the Third Reich to blast German war production facilities. Bristling with machine guns, the G version of the B 17 was a formidable opponent for enemy fighters being able to absorb extensive battle damage and still survive to deliver its bomb cargo on designated targets. Flown by the Eighth Air Force, the B 17G proved the feasibility of strategic daytime