hhm@ihlpy.att.com (Herschel H Mayo) (06/07/90)
From: hhm@ihlpy.att.com (Herschel H Mayo)
I understand that an experimental model of the B17 was produced which
carried several extra machine guns and armor. It was intended to be
a flying battleship to protect bomber formations. The problem with it
was that the armor slowed it down so much that it couldn't keep up with
bomber formations. My obvious question is: Why didn't they just
strip off the armor? The idea of having bombers in formation filled
with nothing but machine guns and cannons seems very sound. Why was it
not exploited in the air war?
Larry Mayo