Masters of the Air
Summary
In Apple TV+‘sMasters of the Air , the men of the 100th Bombardment Group are known for pilot Boeing B-17 plane , also know as Flying Fortresses , which have a material and elaborate chronicle within the Second World War . Masters of the Airis a state of war drama follow thetrue story of the 100th Bombardment Groupof the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II , whose unusual demise tolls garner them the nickname , the " Bloody Hundredth . " The series is a companion to Gary Goetzman , Tom Hanks , and Steven Spielberg ’s previous war dramas , Band of BrothersandThe Pacific .
WhileMasters of the Airis very much steeped in real story , from its English setting toMasters of the Air’scharacters who are establish on material people , another important historical facet is the literal fighting of the war . Throughout the series , hearing get a glimpse at the true experience of fight in World War II , and more specifically , of being a part of the Air Forces . Included in this experience isthe B-17 bomber plane , which was a staple of the state of war , and furthermore , is the machine that made up much of the 100th ’s lives at that time .
Masters of the Air premiere on Apple TV+ on January 26 , with several episode following before the World War II drama miniseries reach its finale .
Why The B-17 Bomber Was Called The “Flying Fortress”
One of the first thing to make out about the Boeing B-17 zep is that its most common sobriquet was the " Flying Fortress . " The B-17 was first make in the thirties , specifically for the United States Army Air Corps . Though the paradigm crashed during an Air Corps test , the plane outstrip its competitors , and therefore , was brought on as one of the master aircraft used during World War II . Ultimately , the B-17 was called the " Flying Fortress " because of its temper , prioritizing defence over bombload , which allowed these planing machine to often land safely despite lumbering damage .
The Flying Fortress gain its name by being speedy , durable , and long - lasting , and from there , the plane quickly became a symbolisation of American might . Not only was the B-17 substantial for the aviator that pilot them or the soldier that watched them from the front lines . The Flying Fortress made an encroachment on Americans back home , who could only see the warfare from afar , and needed reassurance that the United States was perform well . In the end , the B-17 became an icon for both America ’s air travel powerand their status in the war .
How The B-17 Bomber Was Used In World War 2
As its name suggest , the Boeing B-17 bomber was typically used for bombing by the United States Army Air Forces . The first B-17 plane were used by the Royal Air Force and the U.S. ’s 19th Bombardment Group in 1941 . Notably , these planes were in use before the attack on Pearl Harbor , and many of them were destroy during that event . From there , the B-17s traveled around the warfare elbow grease , from Australia to Java to the Middle East . Eventually , in the summertime of 1942 , many of the planes were moved to the 100th ’s very own Thorpe Abbotts .
In footing of specific , the Boeing B-17 was most often used for daylight bombardment missions against German targets . This meant that , as portray inMasters of the Air , aeronaut would fly their B-17s over German uracil - gravy boat pen , sorrel , warehouse , and airfields , and drop turkey on them . These target were not always in Germany , but ranged from Norway to Africa . Notably , the United States ' daylight bombing was not always successful , and often led to the destruction of B-17s . However , these plane , along with the Royal Air Force , finally managed to take favorable position over German atmosphere power .
How Fast B-17 Bombers Can Fly
While Flying fortress are best - sleep together for their sturdy body-build , they are also fantastically fast and high - fell planes . When Boeing first introduced the B-17 in 1935 , still in its Model 299 stage , its median cruise focal ratio sit down at an average of 252 miles per 60 minutes . This was much riotous than other plane being build at the time , fix the B-17 fend out . But in general , any B-17 good example has around the same character in damage of fastness . TheB-17 has a maximal speed of 287 miles per hourand a cruising speed of 182 mile per hour .
Over the years , the B-17 had many different models , and at sentence , this heighten or decreased its swiftness . As antecedently mentioned , one of Boeing ’s first B-17 model , Model 299 , had a cruising stop number of 252 miles per hour . Another B-17 model , the Y1B-17 , ostensibly had a maximum speed of 311 miles per hour . In this room , the B-17 could alter in speed depending on the model being fell , but in the end , it was an aircraft that was typically loyal than other military aircraft , which made it particularly peculiar .
Masters of the Airbuilt replica plane and cockpit for the cast to sit in during take . Though much of the flying visuals were created via CGI and on - set practical production , the planes themselves were genuine .
When The United States Retired The B-17 Bomber & What Replaced It
Although the B-17 was integral to the Allies during World War II , the airplane were quickly phased out by the United States military once the warfare ended . Once the planes were ferry back across the Atlantic , a great many of them were dismantle and melted down or sold as scrap . However , the B-17 was not entirely extinct . A fraction of the planes used in the war were maintained by the United States and used for other things such as reconnaissance mission missions and air travel - ocean deliverance . B-17s were also used as drones . TheB-17 was officially retire from military service in 1959 .
The B-17 ’s quick retreat is less surprising when debate that , by the end of the war , the B-17 was already becoming obsolete . Though the planes were vital in the early long time of the war , by 1945 the armed services had already introduce serious aircraft such as the B-24 . In fact , according to theWarfare History internet , a B-17 plane never even flew over Japan while ill will were pass . In this way , the B-17 ’s enduringness and speed could not outlast the war , though they stay prevalent for nearly a decade . The B-17 was supplant by the B-24 , then other newer Boeing modelling .
Are Any B-17 Bombers Still Flying Today?
At this time , there are only four B-17 bombers that could still flee today . In total , there are 45 Flying Fortresses in the cosmos , and 38 of them are located in the United States . For the most part , these B-17s are still in creation , but are being used as diachronic artefact rather than straight aircraft . Many of them are part of museum displays or are being kept in warehousing . However , many B-17s are also under regaining , which means they could pilot someday in the future tense . at long last , it is shows likeMasters of the Airthat keep the B-17 ’s legacy live .
Cast
