Haynes Boeing B17 Flying Fortress Owners' Workshop Manual – 1935 Onwards (all marks), An Insight into Owning, Restoring, Servicing and Flying America's Legendary World War II Bomber.

This manual offers a unique perspective on what it takes to restore and operate a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber aircraft, as well as a wonderful insight into the engineering and construction of this remarkable airplane. The B-17 is one of the most famous airplanes ever built. Although Boeing's B-17 prototype first flew on July 28, 1935, only a relative handful of B-17s were in the Army Air Corps inventory when America's war started on December 7, 1941. But production quickly accelerated, peaking at 16 airplanes a day in April 1944, before ending in May 1945 with a total of 12,726 aircraft delivered.

The B-17 served in every World War II combat zone but is best known for daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets. B-17s from the Eighth Air Force participated in countless missions from bases in England. These missions often lasted for more than eight hours and struck at targets deep within enemy territory. Because of their long-range capability, formations of Flying Fortresses often flew into battle without fighter escort, relying on their own defensive capabilities. G model Fortresses carrying thirteen .50-cal. machine guns and tight formation flying made famous by the motion picture “12 O'Clock High” ensured successful missions.

For today's aviation enthusiasts, the sight and sound of an airworthy Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress still creates an emotional response as they hear the liquid rumble of the engines and watch the graceful curves of ‘the Queen of the Skies’ as she sweeps majestically along the display line at an air show. The B-17 is one of the most potent symbols of American military might of the Second World War. To the beleaguered citizens of wartime Britain who watched as the massed formations of B-17s flew overhead, it meant their nation was no longer alone. To the American crews who flew the ‘Fort’ it represented a sturdy, dependable aircraft capable of absorbing massive battle damage and still returning them home.

French-owned and operated B-17G Pink Lady and the Imperial War Museum, Duxford's, B-17G Mary Alice form the centrepieces of this latest classic aircraft to receive the Haynes Manual treatment.

Author Graeme Douglas, who has almost 30 years of experience working as a ground engineer on the B-17 Flying Fortress, gives a fascinating insight into owning, servicing and flying this legendary Second World War bomber. Graeme spent 15 years restoring the Imperial War Museum's B-17G Mary Alice at Duxford, and later as ground crew on the privately-owned B-17G Sally B.