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The B-17 Bomber Trivia Quiz

See how much you know about the famous B-17 bomber.

A multiple-choice quiz by uphill50. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
uphill50

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
94,367

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
5615

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (10/10), Muttley211 (7/10), Guest 81 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The B-17 had how many engines? Hint

Four engines, with three blades per propeller.

Four engines, with four blades per propeller.

Two engines, with four blades per propeller.

Two engines, with three blades per propeller.

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The B-17 "G" model had what feature, that distinguished it from previous models? Hint

Ball turret.

Bendix "chin" turret.

Flak radar.

Night-vision bombsight.

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. The "Memphis Belle" was what model B-17? Hint

B-17F

B-17E

B-17G

B-17B

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The B-17's precision bombing was mainly credited to what? Hint

Intelligence received from spies.

Multiple runs around the target area.

The Norden bombsight and bombing during daylight hours only.

Laser targeting.

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. The B-17's main landing gear did what? Hint

Retracted forward and into the inboard engine nacelles.

Retracted backwards and into the outboard engine nacelles.

Retracted outwards and into the wings.

Retracted inwards and into the wings.

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The B-17's Flight Engineer also had what job? Hint

He operated the top turret.

He operated the ball turret.

He operated the radios.

He operated the autopilot controls.

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The B-17's "nose" was manned by what 2 crewmen? Hint

Flight Engineer and Navigator.

Radio Operator and Navigator.

Radio Operator and Bombardier.

Bombardier and Navigator.

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. B-17s were assembled by what plant? Hint

Douglas

Boeing

All of these

Lockheed-Vega

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. After WW2 most B-17s were scrapped where? Hint

Kingman, AZ

Newark, NJ

Provo, UT

Jacksonville, FL

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. High altitude bombing was made possible by what? Hint

Superchargers

All of these

Oxygen tanks for the crew

Powerful radial engines

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 23 2024 : Guest 98: 10/10
Apr 22 2024 : Muttley211: 7/10
Apr 22 2024 : Guest 81: 10/10
Apr 12 2024 : Guest 50: 4/10
Apr 10 2024 : Guest 152: 5/10
Apr 08 2024 : Guest 67: 6/10
Apr 07 2024 : Guest 172: 7/10
Apr 06 2024 : Guest 69: 10/10
Apr 04 2024 : aretea: 0/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The B-17 had how many engines?

Answer: Four engines, with three blades per propeller.

The B-17's had powerful Wright Cyclone radial engines that produced 1200 HP each.

2. The B-17 "G" model had what feature, that distinguished it from previous models?

Answer: Bendix "chin" turret.

The Bendix chin turret had twin 50 caliber machine guns, and was operated by the bombardier.

3. The "Memphis Belle" was what model B-17?

Answer: B-17F

The "Belle" was an "F" model which was produced in 1942 and 1943. The "Belle" was the first B-17 to complete 25 missions. She flew her 25th and final mission on May 17, 1943.

4. The B-17's precision bombing was mainly credited to what?

Answer: The Norden bombsight and bombing during daylight hours only.

The Top-Secret Norden bombsight was gyro stabilized, and later models were connected to an autopilot. This allowed the bombsight to "fly" the plane to the target. It reportedly could "put bombs in a pickle barrel". In general, daylight bombing was more accurate than the night bombing that the British preferred.

5. The B-17's main landing gear did what?

Answer: Retracted forward and into the inboard engine nacelles.

The wheels were equipped with very noisy (squeaky) brakes.

6. The B-17's Flight Engineer also had what job?

Answer: He operated the top turret.

The top turret, located just rear of the pilot and co-pilot, had twin 50 caliber machine guns.

7. The B-17's "nose" was manned by what 2 crewmen?

Answer: Bombardier and Navigator.

The bombardier sat in the forward section of the nose at the bombsight. The navigator sat just behind the bombardier and on the left side of the fuselage.

8. B-17s were assembled by what plant?

Answer: All of these

All three plants worked around the clock during the War. They produced a total of 12,677 B-17s.

9. After WW2 most B-17s were scrapped where?

Answer: Kingman, AZ

Wouldn't you like to turn back the clock and claim one of these beauties before it was dismantled?

10. High altitude bombing was made possible by what?

Answer: All of these

B-17s typically operated between 20,000 and 30,000 ft., with a max service ceiling of 35,000 ft. Powerful Wright Cyclone radial engines equipped with superchargers allowed the Flying Fortress to achieve these heights. Because the fuselage was not pressurized, oxygen for breathing was required over 10,000 ft.

Source: Author uphill50

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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