Claims to Fame: The B-17 Flying Fortress [Paperback]

Steve Birdsall (Author), Roger Freeman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Claims to fame | Publication Date: October 1997

The B-17 Flying Fortress was the most successful bomber in World War II, and was held in great affection by its crews. The claims to fame of this aircraft include the most missions flown, the shortest operational life, famous crew members, and the most damaged aircraft. Full service details and aircraft specifications as well as illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As a boy, Roger Freeman watched from his father's farm as the 8th Air Force took off for its missions over Germany; he has had a lifelong interest in theMighty Eighth ever since, and now lectures on USAAF history, both here and in

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Arms & Armour (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854094246
• ISBN-13: 978-1854094247
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-Rate Tribute to Famous Flying Forts!, November 4, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Every now and then, a writer comes up with a unique bent on an aviation topic and the result is something akin to CLAIMS TO FAME, THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS. In this 1994 Arms and Armour Press book, noted historians Steve Birdsall and Roger Freeman offer up a tribute to individual B-17s that compiled noteworthy combat careers. With Freeman and Birdsall's name attached to the project, aviation history doesn't get any better!

CLAIMS TO FAME, THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS is a who's who of famous B-17s which saw combat in World War II. Individual chapters give the reader the authoritative lowdown on 'Memphis Belle,' 'Blitz Buggy,' 'Five Grand,' 'Ruthie II,' 'Suzy-Q,' 'The Duchess' and other B-17 notables. Some of those bombers wracked up high totals of missions or enemy aircraft downed. Some barely staggered home in spite of incredible battle damage. Some were the site of Medal of Honor-winning actions. Most of the aircraft are long gone although Freeman and Birdsall devote a chapter to B-17E 41-9234, whose battered remains rest on a hill in New Guinea, and one to 'Black Jack,' a B-17F that rests on the sea bottom off Lae.

Birdsall and Freeman's book is wonderfully written and abounds with dozens of first-person reminiscences by crewmen that flew Boeing's masterpiece. Sixteen pages of photos depict some of the aircraft and aircrew described in the book.

CLAIMS TO FAME, THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS is aviation history at its best, a clever idea wonderfully realized by two of the best military historians extant. Though long out of print, anyone interested in bomber ops will want to add this first-rate volume to their collection! Highly recommended.