Customer Reviews

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (Osprey Production Line to Frontline 2)

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Volume 2 of Osprey's 'Production Line to Frontline' series is devoted to Boeing's mighty Flying Fortress. Michael O'Leary provides a 144-page illustrated overview of how the B-17 was born and evolved between the years 1934 and 1945.

Comparing the original Model 299 with a B-17G model reveals how far that war-winning design evolved. The B-17 didn't really become a true combat aircraft until the B-17F model but earlier models did see their share of combat.

O'Leary's narrative mainly focuses on the aircraft's development. Aside from details on the B-V-D manufacturing triumvirate, production line info is limited to some of the well-captioned photographs. There are a great many pix of B-17s under assembly, which bolsters the idea that, in many ways, WWII was won in American factories.

Reading BOEING B-17 FLYING FORTRESS, I got the feeling "almost but not quite." It doesn't really give many details on the Production Line aspect but rather focuses on airframe and power-plant development.

That said, bomber fans should enjoy this nuts-and-bolts guide to a classic warbird. Recommended.

This product is a comprehensive overview of concept, development, production and front line use of the B-17 Flying Fortress. A "must have book" for B-17 buffs.