AMC B1-50

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Brand: AMC

The AMC B-17 Flying Fortress, officially designated as the YB-17, was a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company and subsequently produced by its successor, the AM General (formerly known as the American Motors Company, or simply AMC). The B-17 first entered service with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in 1938, and saw extensive action during World War II in the bomber campaigns against Germany. Over 12,000 B-17s were produced during the course of the war, making it one of the most mass-produced bomber aircraft in history.The AMC model designation B1-50 refers to a specific variant of the B-17, designated by the USAAF as the B-17G. The B1-50 differed from earlier models in significant ways, including improved engines, greater fuel capacity, and updated defensive armament. The B1-50 designation was used by AMC for post-war production of military surplus B-17Gs for civilian use, as part of the US government's military surplus disposal program. The B1-50 designation became official in 1948, when AMC began selling the re-purposed aircraft as the C-119 Boxcar, a cargo and transport version of the Fortress.In civilian use, the B1-50/C-119 served a variety of roles, including aerial spraying, fire bombing, air tanker, aerial refueling, and cargo and transport duties. Many of these aircraft were also restored and preserved for aviation history and heritage purposes. Today, only a few B1-50/C-119 aircraft remain in airworthy condition, and they continue to serve as popular and nostalgic features in air shows and historical aviation displays.