What nickname is most associated with the Boeing B-17 bomber?

The Boeing B-17 bomber is most associated with the nickname “Flying Fortress.”

Boeing adopted the name after a Seattle newspaper described the prototype as a flying fortress because of its heavy armament and large size. The name became official and helped distinguish the B-17 from other American bombers of the Second World War. The aircraft was a four-engine, high-altitude heavy bomber that first flew in 1935.

The B-17 served extensively with the United States Army Air Forces, especially in daylight bombing operations over Europe. Its reputation for structural toughness and its ability to remain airborne after suffering damage contributed to its lasting fame. “Liberator” belongs to the Consolidated B-24, while “Superfortress” identifies Boeing’s later B-29. “Stratofortress” refers to the Boeing B-52, so these similar-sounding names should not be substituted for the B-17’s nickname.