The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft was built in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). It was the chief bomber employed by the American Air Force in Europe throughout the bombing operations against the Nazi Germany. The B-17 also contributed on a lesser scope in the combat in the Pacific region where it carried out raids against Japanese war forces.

Several models of the basic idea of the B-17 were developed between 1935 and 1942, as improvements were needed.

After the devastating carnage of World War One, The American Army Air Corps decided that a new bomber was justified and felt the need for a 250 mph bomber with an effective range of 2,000 miles along with an operating ceiling of 10,000 feet. At the time, an ailing enterprise, Boeing Co. rose to the challenge and Project Model 2-99 was born.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is famous for the World War II military aviation stories that have become legendary.