<article><hdr>Airborne shot of a Y1B-17 Fortress</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>Thirteen service test Y1B-17s were ordered in 1936 following the destruction of the prototype XB-15 at Wright Field in October 1935. One Y1B-17 was evaluated at Wright Field, while the remaining twelve were stationed at Langley Field, Virginia with the 2nd Bombardment Group. The Y1B-17s (later redesignated as B-17s when the service test was completed) proved to the Army that the type was a highly effective bomber, with small numbers being ordered in 1939 and 1940. However substantial orders were placed when the US entered World War Two, with more than 12,000 B-17s being produced by Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed.</hi>
