Hi, Mike!
Again, sorry to go off topic, but it is my understanding that the B-17 Flying Fortress is universally considered to be one of the toughest, most resilient aircraft ever built, while the B-24, although having greater range and load-carrying ability, had nowhere near the ability to take a punch like the B-17.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love both aircraft, and am by no means bashing the great Liberator, but to call the B-17 "fragile," particularly in comparison with the B-24, does a disservice to that great aircraft, in my opinion.
I'm certainly no expert, so maybe we should post this as a new topic over at the AC forum and see what folks have to say?
By the way,
irherman, how goes it with the X-Wing?