World War 2 In Review: Boeing B-17A (Y1B-17A)

Boeing Y1B-17A in flight near Mt. Rainier, Washington state; 28 February 1938.

The aircraft that became the sole Y1B-17A was originally ordered as a static test bed. However, when one of the Y1B-17s survived an inadvertent violent spin during a flight in a thunderhead, Army Air Corps leaders decided that the bomber was exceptionally robust and that there would be no need for static testing. Instead, it was used as a testbed for enhancing engine performance on the new bomber. After studying a variety of configurations, use of a ventral-nacelle-mount turbocharger position was settled on for each of its four engines. A successive series of General Electric-manufactured turbochargers would equip B-17s as standard items, starting with the first production model, allowing it to fly higher and faster than the Y1B-17. When testing was completed, the Y1B-17A was reconfigured as the B-17A, serial number: 37-369.

Boeing Y1B-17A, serial number 37-269; late 1930s.

Boeing Y1B-17A; circa 1938.

Boeing Y1B-17A arrives at Bolling Field. Washington, D.C., March 10, 1937.

Solons inspects new Army bomber. Washington, D.C. March 10, 1937. Members of the House Military Affairs Committee with U.S. Chief of Staff General Mailin Craig inspecting the new 4-engine Boeing bomber which arrived at Bolling Field today. This ship is the first of 13 which will be delivered to the Army Air Corps in the near future. In the photograph, left to right: Rep. Andrew Edmiston, West Virginia; Rep. Charles I. Faddis, Pa.; Capt. C.E. O'Connor, pilot of the ship; Rep. Andrew J. May, Kentucky; Maj. Gen. Malin H. Craig. Insignia on nose is of the 96th Bomb Squadron.