Boeing/Lockheed-Vega
YB-40 Flying Fortress

Yb-40.jpg (11454 bytes)
Yb-40draw.JPG (9189 bytes)
(illustration by Rikyu Watanabe)   

The YB-40 was a derivation of the Boeing B-17, in which additional guns were added in hopes that these heavily-armed B-17s would be able to "escort" the other bombers, protecting them from enemy fighter attacks when beyond the range of friendly fighter escort. Lockheed-Vega had the task of doing the conversion work on the Boeing B-17s, but only twenty YB-40s were made, as well as four training models known as the TB-40. Changes included a remotely-controlled chin turret (which later became standard on the B-17G model), twin .50 caliber guns in the waist positions (instead of the single guns), an extra twin gun power turret behind what used to be the radio operator's gun position, and sometimes extra cheek guns in the nose. The bombs and bombardier were left behind, and extra ammo for the guns was carried. Even with the reduction in weight without the bombs, the added weight of guns and ammo made the aircraft heavier and slower. As a result, once the other bombers had released their bombloads, the YB-40s were outpaced by their lighter brethren, and so failed in their role as escorts. The program was made obsolete not only by its own failures, but by the appearance of long-range fighter escorts that could fill the role much more ably.

SPECIAL NOTE:  I have just completed a separate website called BATTLE-DAMAGED B-17 FLYING FORTRESSES, which is a photo collection of B-17s that came home despite damage received in combat. Check it out!

For more data on this aircraft, click here for Joe Baugher's webpage.
USAF archives on this aircraft, click here.
 Additional information on this aircraft can be found at Wikipedia here.
 (updated February 2009)
 

Boeing/Lockheed-Vega YB-40 Flying Fortress 

Type:           bomber escort
Crew:           9
Armament:       from 14 to 30 fifty caliber machine guns
		(various configurations were tested)

Specifications:
        Length:         74' 9"
        Height:         19' 1"
        Wingspan:       103' 9"
        Max Gross Weight:   63,500 lb

Propulsion:
        No. of Engines: 4
        Powerplant:     Wright R-1820-65 Cyclone
        Horsepower:     1200 hp each

Performance:
        Range:          2,260 miles
        Cruise Speed:   196 mph
        Max Speed:      292 mph at 25,000 ft.
        Ceiling:        29,200 ft

(go to Boeing page)

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