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

Product Description

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.

Review

If modeling B-17s is your thing, you need ‘Building the B-17 Flying Fortress’ by Bill Yenne.– “FineScale Modeler” (10/14/2021 12:00:00 AM)

“Those already well familiar with the history of this extraordinary aircraft might wonder at the need for yet another book on the topic, but anyone familiar with the existing literature will quickly recognize that the attention to detail here is unparalleled. Its authority and illustrative value makes
Building the B-17 Flying Fortress a standout reference for a variety of holdings.”–James A. Cox “Midwest Book Review” (8/11/2021 12:00:00 AM)

Exceptionally well organized and presented,
Building the B-17 Flying Fortress: A Detailed Look at Manufacturing Boeing’s Legendary World War II Bomber in Original Photos is an inherently fascinating and comprehensive historical study and one that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library 20th Century American Military Aviation collections in general, and B-17 Flying Fortress reading lists in particular.–James A. Cox “Midwest Book Review” (7/8/2021 12:00:00 AM)

I utterly enjoyed
Building the B-17 Flying Fortress. Make room in your reference library for it.–David L. Veres “Cybermodeler Online” (7/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

Well-trodden ground, you think. Been there/done that, you think. Turns out, there is more to be said and, especially, shown. While the operational and engineering histories are indeed plentiful, the actual bolting together of the apparatus on the shop floor had not yet been exhaustively documented. Making books that are small punch above their weight range is a special skill; Yenne has it.–Sabu Advani “SpeedReaders.info” (6/17/2021 12:00:00 AM)

From the Back Cover

This book reveals the full manufacturing details of the plane that was arguably America’s greatest multi-engine combat aircraft 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 Brownings.
The book also follows the comprehensive trail of design changes as well as the mechanical evolution of the Boeing Model 299 from the XB-17 through the final and most definitive variant produced: the B-17G.

About the Author

Bill Yenne has traveled far and wide to research his topics and to shoot the photographs that have app