Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress — From Original Engineering Construction Drawings Blueprints

From the original manufacturing drawings, converted first to microfilm and now to electronic format — this is the most extensive digital archive of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress airframe engineering drawings available in the civilian research market.

The B-17 Flying Fortress was the backbone of the USAAF strategic bombing campaign in Europe and the Pacific. These drawings represent the engineering foundation of that aircraft — the actual factory blueprints from which every B-17 series aircraft was built, microfilmed at Boeing's plant under the authority of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces.

Archive Specifications

• Total Files: 29,208 engineering drawing sheets
• Source: 38 original microfilm reels — T.O. No. 01-20E-114, correct to December 1944
• Format: JPG (high-resolution digital scans from microfilm)
• Total Size: 34 GB
• Delivery: 9 volumes (DVD1–DVD9) + Microfilm Index + Sample folder
• Index Document: B-17_Microfilm_Index included — T.O. No. 01-20E-114, 1 April 1945

Microfilm Reel Index — 38 Rolls

Rolls A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, AG, AH, AJ, AK, AL, AM, AN, AP

Note: Revisions since 3 May 1944 microfilmed on Rolls AF, AG, AH, AJ, AK, AL, AM, AN, and AP. Roll AF of the first revision has been cancelled and a new AF roll prepared.

Drawing Groups — Alphabetical Index

• Wing — structural drawings, spars, ribs, skin panels, control surfaces
• Body — fuselage frames, bulkheads, longerons, skin assemblies
• Tail — horizontal and vertical stabilizer, elevator, rudder assemblies
• Landing Gear — main gear, tail wheel, retraction mechanisms
• Power Plant — engine mounts, nacelle structure, firewall assemblies
• Nacelle — cowling, cooling, engine installation details
• Equipment — systems installations, brackets, fittings
• Miscellaneous — hardware, standards, special items
• Special Tools — F10000–F21905 series (jigs, fixtures, ground support tooling)
• BAC Process Specifications & Standards — D-590 Volumes I–V, D-3993, NAS Standards

Index Structure

• Section I — Introduction: Microfilm program description, instructions for use, associated equipment (Recordak Model C Library Reader, Model A Enlarger, Model A Portable Projector)
• Section II — Numerical Index: BAC Process Specifications, Special Tools (F-series drawings), complete numerical list of all drawings with film index numbers, sheet numbers, change letters, and B-17E/F/G applicability
• Section III — Alphabetical Index: Boeing Aircraft Corp. Process Specifications and Standards, Special Tools, Alphabetical List of Drawings by Groups (Wing, Body, Tail, Landing Gear, Power Plant, Nacelle, Equipment, Miscellaneous)

Important Notice

This archive covers the B-17 series (B-17E, B-17F, B-17G variants indicated per drawing). It is not exhaustive — it represents the content of the 38 microfilm reels as digitised. Some drawing numbers may be missing or partially legible due to the condition of the original microfilm. Large oversize drawings were photographed in sections reading left to right; all sections of one drawing bear the same film index number.

The B-17_Microfilm_Index (T.O. No. 01-20E-114, 1 April 1945) is included in full, allowing researchers to locate any drawing by part name or drawing number.

⚠️ Regulatory Notice: Under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13 and EASA Part-M, any mechanic performing maintenance on an active aircraft must use current, manufacturer-approved revision-controlled data. This archival document does not satisfy that requirement.

This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.
Living Collections with Free Lifetime Updates — Please review our Disclaimer and Export Notice before purchasing.