Artist's commentary:

第二次大戦で最も活躍したと言える、アメリカの重爆撃機。
敵戦闘機よりも高空を飛行する事で昼間爆撃を遂行するという発想の転換で、多大な戦果を上げました。

爆撃機として世界で初めて排気タービンを搭載し、高い防御力に加え豊富な防御火器で全身を固め、迎撃戦闘機を寄せ付けない堅牢さを誇りました。
またその航続距離・速度・耐久力・防御力を買われて偵察・輸送などの任務にも駆り出され多方面で活躍しました。
まさに八面六臂の大活躍を見せた本機は、連合軍勝利の真の立役者と呼んで差し支えないでしょう。

Artist's commentary:

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is said to be most widely operated strategic heavy bomber in World War II.
With its ability to fly at higher altitudes than enemy fighters, the B-17 was used in daylight strategic precision bombing and made great contributions to the war effort for the Allies.
The Fortress boasted the first turbo supercharger engines ever installed on a bomber, impregnability in the form of high defensive capabilities and a large number of defensive machine guns that could ward off attacks from intercepting fighters.
Due to its flying range, speed, toughness and high defensive capabilities, the B-17 was used in a wide variety of operations in addition to strategic bombing including air reconnaissance and cargo transport.
With its versatility and wide usage, there would be little argument in saying that the B-17 was truly a great contributor to the Allied war effort.