B-17 Flying Fortress vs North American B-25 Mitchell
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The B-17 Flying Fortress is faster: 462 km/h against 438 km/h for the North American B-25 Mitchell. The B-17 Flying Fortress flies further: 3,219 km against 2,174 km for the North American B-25 Mitchell. The B-17 Flying Fortress has the wider wingspan: 31.6 m against 20.6 m for the North American B-25 Mitchell. The B-17 Flying Fortress is heavier at takeoff: 30 tonnes against 16 tonnes for the North American B-25 Mitchell. The B-17 Flying Fortress first flew in 1935, 5 years before the North American B-25 Mitchell (1940).
| B-17 Flying Fortress | North American B-25 Mitchell |
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| Top speed | 462 km/h (287 mph) | 438 km/h (272 mph) |
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| Range | 3,219 km (2,000 miles) | 2,174 km (1,351 miles) |
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| Length | 22.7 m (74 ft) | 16.1 m (53 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 31.6 m (104 ft) | 20.6 m (68 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 30 t (65,477 lb) | 16 t (35,053 lb) |
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| First flight | 1935 | 1940 |
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| Crew and capacity | 10 crew | 6 crew |
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| Engines | 4 × radial piston, turbocharged | 2 × Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial |
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| Built by | Boeing | North American |
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| Country | USA | USA |
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