Overview

The Boeing B-17 was the first American heavy bomber to see action in World War 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 their 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 USA entered WWII production of the aircraft was rapidly increased and it became the backbone of the USAAF in all theatres 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 This book describes how it was built and utilizes many hitherto unpublished photographs from the design studio and production lines.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, anti-submarine and air-sea rescue operations there were few tasks that this solid design could not adopt. AUTHOR: Graham Simons is a highly respected historian and author. He has many contacts within the aviation industry which has resulted into him accessing the many unpublished photographs within this book. SELLING POINTS: . Contains hundreds of unseen photos of the B-17 production line and design concepts . Chapters include all the many diverse roles in which the aircraft was deployed . Appendices include pilot experiences and what it was like to fly, unique variants and use by USAAF and the RAF Illustrated *

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9781848845381

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...a fascinating recap of the research and development of the bomber and all its subsystems and variants. -- Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

Author Information

English professional aviation writer, publisher and historian Graham M Simons is one of the founders of the world famous aviation museum at Duxford near Cambridge where his interest was piqued watching the making of the 'Battle of Britain' film there in the late 1960's and from the days when you could go 'aircraft spotting' at London Heathrow and other airports. From this, and with an engineering background, he progressed to membership of a number of aviation societies, including sitting on the British Aviation Preservation Council, eventually taking the position of Engineering Director with one group. Here he was responsible for overseeing the restoration of a De Havilland DH89 Dragon Rapide airliner to flying condition and placing this aircraft - with official approval -- in the colours and markings of the first aircraft of what was then the Kings Flight. It was during this period that he was contacted by Ian Allen Ltd to write the first ever history of this classic De Havilland type. Other titles rapidly followed and with a growing number of contacts in both the military and airliners, Graham turned professional in 1987, combining his love of writing with his skills in production to create and publish aviation histories focussed on a variety of subjects. He is the author of Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose, Comet! The World's First Jet Airliner, The Airbus A380: A History, and De Havilland Enterprises: A History, amongst many others published by Pen and Sword Books.

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