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Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Manual: Owners' Workshop Manual    by Graeme Douglas Amazon.com order for
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Manual
by Graeme Douglas
Order:  USA  Can
Zenith Press, 2011 (2011)
Hardcover
* * *   Reviewed by Bob Walch

Military aircraft buffs and those interested in the history of World War II will find this a fascinating book. The B-17 was one of the best known airplanes to fly during World War II. By the end of the war a total of 12,726 of these long range bombers had been built. Surprisingly, only a handful of these planes are still flying today.

Besides providing a history of the plane and its combat credentials, Graeme Douglas delves into the anatomy of the B-127. From the nose section, bomb-bay and radio compartment to the hydraulic system, landing gear and emergency equipment, little escapes his close scrutiny.

Then it is on to the Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 engine that powered the bomber, and an engineer's view of the plane and what it was like to actually fly the iconic aircraft. As part of the story of the B-17, the author focuses on the restoration of The Pink Lady, one of the bombers still flying.

If you'd like some insight into owning, restoring, servicing and flying American's legendary World War II bomber, this is a book you'll want to read. With 250 photos and diagrams in this volume, there's little left to the reader's imagination. This is a visual feast as well as a book filled with solid information.

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