Скачать или смотреть THE B-17’S ULTIMATE BODYGUARD ⚔️

The YB-40 was literally a flying wall of lead, but its greatest strength was also its downfall.

Because it carried triple the ammunition of a standard B-17 and multiple extra turrets, it was nearly 4,000 lbs heavier than its peers. This wasn't a problem on the way to the target. However, once the regular B-17s dropped their 5,000-lb bomb loads, they became much faster and lighter. The YB-40, still lugging thousands of rounds of heavy .50 cal ammo and steel turrets, couldn't keep up. It would often fall behind the formation, becoming the "straggler" it was supposed to protect, ironically drawing German fighters directly to it. After only 14 combat missions, the project was canceled, but its chin turret was so successful that it became a standard feature on every B-17G produced afterward.

"It was the ultimate bodyguard - until the client decided to run a marathon and the guard was too buff to keep up."

This video is for historical and educational purposes.