Arguably the most popular plane of all time and the icon of American airpower during World War II, the Flying Fortress and the courageous men who flew her were the backbone of the Allied air campaign to destroy the German air force and the war-making ability of Nazi Germany. This paved the way for the Allied invasion at Normandy. The B-17 became legendary, and garnered the everlasting affection of its crews, for being able to absorb crippling damage and still fly home. The B-17 made Boeing a household name and gave the company a reputation for building capable, rugged, quality airplanes.