Building the B-17 Flying Fortress

It is difficult to conceive a more iconic World War II bomber than the B-17. Its characteristic profile and streamlined shapes are instantly recognizable and more 12,700 were built for a variety of roles. It is that production that is the focus of Building the B-17 Flying Fortress by Bill Yenne, a terrific reference if you are tackling one of the many kits of the American bomber.

This 240-page softcover volume brims with photos of B-17s under construction, offering an unprecedented look at internal structural and equipment details. All are well-lit and the captions give plenty of information about the subject. Each chapter focuses on a variant with sections about construction blocks and specific equipment fitted, including radios, radar, and guns. Appendices include diagrams and cutaways illustrate colors and locations as well as a list of serial numbers referenced to variant and construction blocks. There have been a lot of books written about the B-17, but if you are looking to superdetail a model, this is the one you need!