National Defense: New Fortress

Boeing Aircraft Co. last week test-flew its new B-17E bomber, a better-armed, slicker version of the Flying Fortress (B-17Ds) with which the R.A.F. is now bombing Europe from heights over 30,000 feet—too high to be hit by ack-ack, or to be reached by most German pursuit planes.

When Test Pilot Eddie Allen brought B-17E down after 20 minutes in the air, Boeing made a proud announcement: while B-17D production goes ahead “Es” are on the line, too, will shortly begin to roll.

Next day the War Department awarded a contract for $347,156,674 worth of “Es,” the biggest single order for aircraft ever given. At the price of Flying Fortresses (around $300,000 apiece) the order indicated that the U.S. and Britain wanted a fleet of about 1,000 out of the Boeing plant. That is the beginning. Douglas and Vega (subsidiary of Lockheed) are also readying for B-17E production, will get big orders later.