Building the B-17 Flying Fortress: a Detailed Look at Manufacturing Boeing's Legendary World War II Bomber in Original Photos
Building the B-17 Flying Fortress: a Detailed Look at Manufacturing Boeing's Legendary World War II Bomber in Original Photos

Author: Bill Yenne

Publisher: Specialty Press

Published: 2021-03-15

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 9781580072717

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This new book reveals rare original photos and full manufacturing details of America's greatest multi-engine combat aircraft flown in World War II. Contents cover building the Flying Fortress from wingtip to wingtip and from the bombardier's Perspex nose to the tail-gunner's twin-Browning cannons. Significant aspects of B-17 production include exterior views of each model variant from various angles, all crew stations in each B-17 type (including the entire flight deck), defensive gun turrets used in every B-17 model, fuselage interiors, exteriors, engines, nacelles, and even control surfaces. Factory-original color cutaway drawings as well as reproductions of original specifications sheets and other information-packed documents created by manufacturers during the 1940s are also included for the reader. As a research asset, the book's appendices feature a detailed survey of every production block of the 12,731 B-17 bombers produced during the war in an unbelievable time span of only three-and-a-half year--an industrial phenomenon unlike any the world had ever seen. What sets this book apart from all others in the crowded B-17 field is literally hundreds of factory-original close-up detailed photographs and illustrations accompanied by comprehensive high-resolution reproductions of original Boeing drawings, and all are explained in detailed yet easy to understand descriptive text. This book provides valuable data for the serious Boeing B-17 aficionado as well as a compelling story of America's aircraft manufacturing prowess for the dedicated aviation enthusiast.

Boeing B-17
Boeing B-17

Author: Graham M. Simons

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2011-12-01

Total Pages: 443

ISBN-13: 1783461012

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

“Fascinating insight into the early development of the B-17 Flying Fortress . . . undoubtedly outshines other books on this significant WWII aircraft.” —Air Mail The Boeing B-17 was the first American heavy bomber to see action in World War II when it was supplied to the RAF. The design originated in 1934 when the US Air Corps was looking for a heavy bomber to reinforce air forces in Hawaii, Panama and Alaska. For its time, the design included many advanced features, and Boeing continued to develop the aircraft as experience of the demands of long-distance flying at high altitude was gained. When the United States entered WWII, production of the aircraft was rapidly increased and it became the backbone of the USAAF in all theaters of war. This book describes how it was built and utilizes many hitherto unpublished photographs from the design studio and production lines. It illustrates and explains the many different roles that the aircraft took as the war progressed. Heavy bomber, reconnaissance, antisubmarine, and air-sea rescue operations; there were few roles that this solid design could not adopt.

Boeing B-17 Fortress in RAF Coastal Command Service
Boeing B-17 Fortress in RAF Coastal Command Service

Author: Robert M. Stitt

Publisher: White (Paperback)

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9788389450883

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Rejected as a bomber by the RAF, the B-17 was used extensively as a long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft by Coastal Command. This book tells the fascinating story of these operations, a vital but often overlooked part of the fight against the U-Boats. All the aircraft involved are listed, and the tedious but essential work of their crews described, including some epic encounters with enemy submarines. Fully illustrated with many wartime photos, and scale plans of the airframe modifications. Full color profiles of representative aircraft.

B-17 Flying Fortress, Vol. 1
B-17 Flying Fortress, Vol. 1

Author: David Doyle

Publisher: Schiffer Military History

Published: 2020-05-28

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13: 9780764359552

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history. Through a broad range of photos gathered from around the world, this book, the first of a two-volume series, chronicles the design, development, and wartime use of the early models of the Flying Fortress, from the ill-fated experimental model 299 through the B-17D, including the famous "Swoose." These early models are distinguished by their narrow fuselage, art deco styling, and a small, "shark fin" tail. A second volume will continue the B-17 story with the large-tail later models, B-17E through B-17H. The story of these iconic WWII aircraft is told through carefully researched photos, many of which have never before been published, and which are reproduced in remarkable clarity. Large, clear photos, coupled with descriptive and informative captions, unlock the secrets of this aircraft.

B-17 in Action
B-17 in Action

Author: Larry Davis

Publisher:

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Captioned photos, illustrations, and brief text describe the design, development, and uses of the American bomber.

B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the MTO
B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the MTO

Author: William N Hess

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-12-20

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 1782008373

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Having been a part of the Fifteenth Air Force in 1944, author Bill Hess has written the definitive account on 'his air force', featuring photographs and illustrations throughout. Although the Fifteenth Air Force was dismissed as 'minor leaguers' by the Eighth Air Force, strategic bombers from this outfit had done a 'major league' job on Axis targets in southern Europe following its formation in Italy in November 1943. And the heavy bombers employed by the Fifteenth were of course the venerable B-17 and B-24. At its peak strength, the Fifteenth's B-17 force comprised six groups of four squadrons each, all controlled by the 5th Bomb Wing.

The B-17 Flying Fortress Story
The B-17 Flying Fortress Story

Author: Roger Anthony Freeman

Publisher: Arms & Armour

Published: 2000-03

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 9781854095220

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The B-17 Flying Fortress was a major factor in the success of the Allied war against Germany. It was the epitome of a challenge faced, fought and won, a powerful aircraft that achieved celebrity status adn retained it through the war, operating extensively with the US 8th Air Force from bases throughout East Anglia.

Flying Fortress
Flying Fortress

Author: Edward Jablonski

Publisher:

Published: 2014-06-09

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 9781626549043

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

*Don t get the wrong edition: Get the corrected edition This 2014 edition includes corrected material based on Edward Jablonski s handwritten notes in his file copy of the original publication (ISBN: Paperback 978-1-62654-904-3 and Hardback 978-1-62654-867-1). Renowned throughout the world for its strength and destructiveness, the Flying Fortress was one of the greatest fighting airplanes of all time. In this comprehensively documented biography, Edward Jablonski tells the story of the Flying Fortress Boeing B-17, America s legendary long-range bomber. From the B-17's near death in infancy to the emergence of its successor, the Superfortress, "Flying Fortress" captures the exhilarating career of the B-17 with thrilling accounts of the exploits of these planes and their pilots. In this unforgettable history, Jablonski details the Fortress s role in the strategic and tactical issues of air war, and chronicles the B-17 s roles in famous raids including Regensburg, Marienburg, Munster, Schweinfurt, Dresden, and Berlin, along with its part in great battles, such as D-Day. Masterfully written, "Flying Fortress" is a classic in aviation literature with over 400 illustrations (many unpublished action photos) in addition to a section on the design of the Flying Fortress, which includes a number of detailed cutaway drawings. Approximately 60 pages from the Flying Fortress s Piloting Manual are also featured herein. Find out why the Flying Fortress ultimately redefined the concept of war. Edward Jablonski, life-long aviation enthusiast, served in the field of artillery during WWII and was a member of the Society of WWI Aero Historians and the American Aviation Society. Historian, biographer, and critic, Jablonski has written a number of books on aviation history and American cultural personalities."

B-17 Flying Fortress in Action
B-17 Flying Fortress in Action

Author: David Doyle

Publisher: In Action

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13: 9780897476225

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The B-17 Flying Fortress dropped more bombs than any other US aircraft in WWII and is arguably the iconic bomber of that epic conflict. During the 10 years in which it was produced, a total of 12,731 of the B-17 heavy bombers rolled off the assembly lines of Boeing, Douglas Aircraft, and Lockheed's subsidiary Vega. First flown in 1935, the aircraft was repeatedly modified, upgraded, and perfected in response to combat experience. Also highlights the roles played by individual aircraft and their crews, including Memphis Belle, which completed 25 missions over enemy territory; Stage Door Canteen, christened by Winston Churchill's daughter; and All American, which demonstrated the incredible toughness of the Flying Fortress by returning safely to base despite having its tail nearly sheared off by a Messerschmitt.