why is the b-17 called the flying fortress?

Answer 1

The correct answer is that a US newspaper publisher at the time of the planes development had after assessing all the features about the B-17 with it being so large and powerful with so many machine gun emplacements and turrets on the plane and all other features making the plane so formidable for combat roles that this publisher ( being the first ) dubbed it a flying fortress. Boeing took a liking for this name and adopted it for their B-17 model. Trust me, this is the real answer.

Answer 2

It's called the "Flying Fortress," for its resilience during World War II. The B-17 bomber flew countless missions, and was an integral part of the United States Air Force. It's one of the toughest planes ever made, and one former pilot gives his perspective on flying the fortress into battle.

Answer 3

Because of all the machine guns it had on it. It had a tailgunnger, two gunners on the side, one on top one on the bottom and one in the nose.
The B-29 is called the Super fortress. It was used in the Pacific, and was bigger and fly 8000 miles totally fueled.

Answer 4

Because it was covered with defensive armaments all over. It was literally a fortress, flying.

But it was nothing compared to the B-29 Superfortress.

Answer 5

During WW2 the bomb armament, machine gun placements and the strength of the aircraft combined to literally make it ...
a flying fortress.

Answer 6

The thing was flipping HUGE!!!

I.E. Fortress Size:P

Answer 7

Ever see that plane? It was a bomber that had multiple gunner placements - top, bottom, read, etc and could ably defend itself against the airplanes of that time.

Answer 8

Because it carried up to 14 defensive guns and carried a large load of bombs.

Answer 9

It's huge and virtually impenetrable.

Answer 10

ask the government