@Young:
There was a discussion earlier in this thread about the Fortresses name pertaining mostly to the particular theatre that each type participated in, so we came up with a name that encompasses both “Flying” (Europe) and “Super” (Pacific) fortresses. As for changing the name solely because of flying fortresses defensive capabilities Vs interceptors (which are pretty dam good) doesn’t seem necessary. Besides, Boeing fortresses is one of my favourite advantage titles, however, if CWO Marc (project historian) says that the title misrepresents the rule, and they are as you say “very different” from each other… then I will likely change it.
Understood. It isn’t a huge deal… more about historical accuracy than anything else. It is your rules version, so you can have it say whatever you want.
I believe I speak for Marc when I list off the following items which might change your mind:
The B-29 Superfortress was the ultimate bomber aircraft in the war. It could fly higher, farther and drop more bombs than any previous aircraft. It was also superbly armed for self defense with remote controlled turrets.
Not only this but it was a true wartime Advancement. The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was developed and existed before the war even started, while the B-29 did not enter service until late 1944. From Wikipedia:
“In wartime, the B-29 was capable of flight at altitudes up to 31,850 feet (9,710 m), at speeds of up to 350 mph (560 km/h) (true airspeed). This was its best defense, because Japanese fighters could barely reach that altitude, and few could catch the B-29 even if they did attain that altitude. Only the heaviest of anti-aircraft weapons could reach it, and since the Axis forces did not have proximity fuzes, hitting or damaging the aircraft from the ground in combat proved difficult.”
This cannot be said of the B-17 (which you have pictured on the card). Even though the B-29 flew almost exclusively in the Pacific theater, there is no reason that it could not be also used in Europe. The reason, I believe, they were not used against Germany was because the war was winding down in Europe (or over by 1944 and 1945) and the distances were not as long.
All of this fits both the timeline and capabilities that you describe in the advantage much better than the rather vague “Fortresses” term. For this reason I vote “Superfortresses”!
