-
B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration
- Narrated by: Bill Nevitt
- Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration
Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's summary
Through engaging narrative and first-person accounts, B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration captures the painstaking restoration of a World War II-vintage Boeing B-17 bomber by more than 100 volunteers in Pooler, GA. Airplane restoration and military aviation enthusiasts alike can follow the airplane's journey from the storage hangers of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum to the Combat Gallery of the Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, where it arrived in pieces on the backs of four tractor-trailers. B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration charts the volunteer team's frustrations and successes over a six-year period as they cleaned accumulated crud from the bomber's surfaces and carefully recreated its aluminum skin, operating systems, armament and even its nose art. In addition, the book traces the histories of the two City of Savannah B-17s - the original and the restored - and includes many personal stories of veterans as told by themselves or their families. The City of Savannah volunteers brought a wide range of skills to the task. They were airframe and power plant mechanics, painters, aeronautical engineers, electrical engineers, business people and administrators, even a former physics professor with a PhD and 30 years of flying experience. Many were drawn to the project after their day jobs at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, LMI Aerospace, Inc., and the 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard. Others were retired and eager to make a long-term commitment to restoring a vintage warbird.
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Damn Lucky
- One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History
- By: Kevin Maurer
- Narrated by: Holter Graham, John Luckadoo
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 277
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 249
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 247
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was a world away from John Luckadoo’s hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. But when the Japanese attacked the American naval base on December 7, 1941, he didn’t hesitate to join the military. Trained as a pilot with the United States Air Force, Second Lieutenant Luckadoo was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group stationed in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Between June and October 1943, he flew B-17 Flying Fortresses over France and Germany on bombing runs devised to destroy the Nazi war machine.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
must read
- By td godfrey on 10-06-22
By: Kevin Maurer
-
Combat Crew
- The Story of 25 Combat Missions over Europe from the Daily Journal of a B-17 Gunner
- By: John Comer
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 358
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 330
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 328
John Comer kept a journal of the 25 missions he flew in 1943, when the casualty rate on his base was close to 80 percent. His book is handwritten history, recorded within hours after the battles occurred. Comer vividly creates his experiences as top-turret gunner/flight engineer in a B-17 squadron that was thrown against the best pilots the Luftwaffe could offer.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
great details behind the flying
- By Rowerwet on 05-12-15
By: John Comer
-
The Wars of the Roses
- The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,431
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,017
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,000
The 15th century saw the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands five times as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. Now, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these turbulent times.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
No Need for a Score Card
- By Troy on 01-16-15
By: Dan Jones
-
Foundation
- The History of England from Its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors: The History of England, Book 1
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Clive Chafer
- Length: 18 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 841
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 763
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 758
In Foundation the chronicler of London and of its river, the Thames, takes us from the primeval forests of England's prehistory to the death of the first Tudor king, Henry VII, in 1509. He guides us from the building of Stonehenge to the founding of the two great glories of medieval England: common law and the cathedrals. He shows us glimpses of the country's most distant past - a Neolithic stirrup found in a grave, a Roman fort, a Saxon tomb, a medieval manor house.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
The Most Annoying Narrator EVER
- By JudieBee on 12-25-15
By: Peter Ackroyd
-
Taliesin
- The Pendragon Cycle, Book 1
- By: Stephen R. Lawhead
- Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
- Length: 19 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,453
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,124
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,119
It was a time of legend, as the last shadows of the mighty Roman conqueror faded from the captured Isle of Britain. Meanwhile, across a vast sea, bloody war shattered a peace that had flourished for 2,000 years in the doomed kingdom of Atlantis. This is the remarkable adventure of Charis, the courageous princess from Atlantis who escapes the terrible devastation of her land, and of the fabled seer and druid prince Taliesin, singer at the dawn of the age. It is a story of an incomparable love that joins two astonishing worlds....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Classic interpretation of a Classic tale
- By John on 08-11-03
-
Dragonflight
- Dragonriders of Pern, Book 1
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,395
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 5,552
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,573
On the beautiful planet Pern, colonized for centuries, Land Holders and Craftsmen have traditionally tithed food and supplies to the dragonweyrs to which they are bound. In times past, the mighty telepathic dragons and their riders were the only protection from the dreaded, life-threatening Thread. Now those times may be returning....
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Poor reading
- By Miles Gloriosus on 09-08-08
By: Anne McCaffrey
-
Damn Lucky
- One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History
- By: Kevin Maurer
- Narrated by: Holter Graham, John Luckadoo
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 277
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 249
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 247
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was a world away from John Luckadoo’s hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. But when the Japanese attacked the American naval base on December 7, 1941, he didn’t hesitate to join the military. Trained as a pilot with the United States Air Force, Second Lieutenant Luckadoo was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group stationed in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Between June and October 1943, he flew B-17 Flying Fortresses over France and Germany on bombing runs devised to destroy the Nazi war machine.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
must read
- By td godfrey on 10-06-22
By: Kevin Maurer
-
Combat Crew
- The Story of 25 Combat Missions over Europe from the Daily Journal of a B-17 Gunner
- By: John Comer
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 358
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 330
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 328
John Comer kept a journal of the 25 missions he flew in 1943, when the casualty rate on his base was close to 80 percent. His book is handwritten history, recorded within hours after the battles occurred. Comer vividly creates his experiences as top-turret gunner/flight engineer in a B-17 squadron that was thrown against the best pilots the Luftwaffe could offer.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
great details behind the flying
- By Rowerwet on 05-12-15
By: John Comer
-
The Wars of the Roses
- The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,431
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,017
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,000
The 15th century saw the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands five times as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. Now, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these turbulent times.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
No Need for a Score Card
- By Troy on 01-16-15
By: Dan Jones
-
Foundation
- The History of England from Its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors: The History of England, Book 1
- By: Peter Ackroyd
- Narrated by: Clive Chafer
- Length: 18 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 841
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 763
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 758
In Foundation the chronicler of London and of its river, the Thames, takes us from the primeval forests of England's prehistory to the death of the first Tudor king, Henry VII, in 1509. He guides us from the building of Stonehenge to the founding of the two great glories of medieval England: common law and the cathedrals. He shows us glimpses of the country's most distant past - a Neolithic stirrup found in a grave, a Roman fort, a Saxon tomb, a medieval manor house.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
The Most Annoying Narrator EVER
- By JudieBee on 12-25-15
By: Peter Ackroyd
-
Taliesin
- The Pendragon Cycle, Book 1
- By: Stephen R. Lawhead
- Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
- Length: 19 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,453
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,124
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,119
It was a time of legend, as the last shadows of the mighty Roman conqueror faded from the captured Isle of Britain. Meanwhile, across a vast sea, bloody war shattered a peace that had flourished for 2,000 years in the doomed kingdom of Atlantis. This is the remarkable adventure of Charis, the courageous princess from Atlantis who escapes the terrible devastation of her land, and of the fabled seer and druid prince Taliesin, singer at the dawn of the age. It is a story of an incomparable love that joins two astonishing worlds....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Classic interpretation of a Classic tale
- By John on 08-11-03
-
Dragonflight
- Dragonriders of Pern, Book 1
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,395
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 5,552
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,573
On the beautiful planet Pern, colonized for centuries, Land Holders and Craftsmen have traditionally tithed food and supplies to the dragonweyrs to which they are bound. In times past, the mighty telepathic dragons and their riders were the only protection from the dreaded, life-threatening Thread. Now those times may be returning....
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Poor reading
- By Miles Gloriosus on 09-08-08
By: Anne McCaffrey
-
The Kill Artist
- By: Daniel Silva
- Narrated by: George Guidall
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6,802
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6,103
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 6,080
After the assassination of his wife and son, Gabriel Allon retires from his brutal anti-terrorist career and loses himself in his previous cover job: art restoration. But when Tariq al-Hourani, the Palestinian terrorist responsible for his family’s death, begins a killing spree designed to destroy Middle East peace talks, Gabriel once again slips into the shadowy world of international intrigue. In a global game of hide-and-seek, the motives of Gabriel and Tariq soon become more personal than political.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Reluctant Assassin
- By Snoodely on 10-30-13
By: Daniel Silva
-
The Source
- A Novel
- By: James A. Michener
- Narrated by: Larry McKeever
- Length: 54 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,788
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 1,561
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,561
In the grand storytelling style that is his signature, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the very beginnings of the Jewish faith, thousands of years ago. Through the predecessors of four modern men and women, we experience the entire colorful history of the Jews, including the life of the early Hebrews and their persecutions, the impact of Christianity, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition, all the way to the founding of present-day Israel and the Middle East conflict.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Unlistenable
- By GGS Engineering on 09-11-15
-
The Path Between the Seas
- The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
- By: David McCullough
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 31 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,465
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,167
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,168
The Path Between the Seas tells the story of the men and women who fought against all odds to fulfill the 400-year-old dream of constructing an aquatic passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a story of astonishing engineering feats, tremendous medical accomplishments, political power plays, heroic successes, and tragic failures. McCullough expertly weaves the many strands of this momentous event into a captivating tale.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
No Stone Unturned
- By Tim on 06-25-13
By: David McCullough
-
Boyd
- The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
- By: Robert Coram
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,831
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,628
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1,636
John Boyd may be the most remarkable unsung hero in all of American military history. Some remember him as the greatest US fighter pilot ever - the man who, in simulated air-to-air combat, defeated every challenger in less than 40 seconds. Some recall him as the father of our country's most legendary fighter aircraft - the F-15 and F-16. Still, others think of Boyd as the most influential military theorist since Sun Tzu. They know only half the story.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Stick With It if You Want a Rare Gem
- By Michael Richards on 08-30-16
By: Robert Coram
-
Washington's Spies
- The Story of America's First Spy Ring
- By: Alexander Rose
- Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau
- Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,852
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,666
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,670
Based on remarkable new research, acclaimed historian Alexander Rose brings to life the true story of the spy ring that helped America win the Revolutionary War. For the first time, Rose takes us beyond the battlefront and deep into the shadowy underworld of double agents and triple crosses, covert operations and code breaking, and unmasks the courageous, flawed men who inhabited this wilderness of mirrors—including the spymaster at the heart of it all.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Kinda boring
- By Randall on 07-10-19
By: Alexander Rose
-
By Order of the President
- Presidential Agent, Book 1
- By: W. E. B. Griffin
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 20 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,597
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,073
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,052
Two armed men board a 727 that has been all but forgotten at an airfield in Angola. Hijacking the jet, they then slit the throat of the lone crew and fly to parts unknown. The consternation is immediate, as the CIA, FBI, and other agencies race to find out what happened, in the process elbowing one another in the sides a little too vigorously. Fed up, the president of the United States turns to an outside investigator to determine the truth.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Could have been better ...
- By Ragna on 02-08-11
By: W. E. B. Griffin
-
Inside Marine One
- Four U.S. Presidents, One Proud Marine, and the World's Most Amazing Helicopter
- By: Lee Kelley, Ray L'Heureux
- Narrated by: David Drummond
- Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 78
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 71
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 71
Inside Marine One is Colonel L'Heureux's inspiring story of a young man who dreamed of flying, trained, studied, and worked hard to become the pilot who ended up serving four US Presidents - George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. It's also a personal guided tour inside the world's most famous helicopter by a man who knows that flying machine better than any other. Inside Marine One is a great American success story of a young boy who dreamed big, worked hard, and finally flew the President of the United States as his number one passenger.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A great book
- By John A. on 01-05-23
By: Lee Kelley, and others
-
Semper Fi
- The Corps, Book 1
- By: W. E. B. Griffin
- Narrated by: Dick Hill
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,840
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,539
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,535
From Shanghai to Wake Island, the Corps was America’s first line of defense as the winds of war exploded into the devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. This is the story of the men of the Marine Corps, their loves and loyalties, an elite fraternity united by courage and honor, as they steel themselves for battle, prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
I Cannot Believe I Passed Up Griffin For Years!
- By Chip Atkinson on 04-02-12
By: W. E. B. Griffin
-
Flight 93
- The Story, the Aftermath, and the Legacy of American Courage on 9/11
- By: Tom McMillan, Governor Tom Ridge - foreword
- Narrated by: Will Damron
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 43
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 43
The passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001 have earned their rightful place among the pantheon of American heroes. Flight 93 provides a riveting narrative based on interviews, oral histories, transcripts, recordings, personal tours of the crash site, and voluminous trial evidence made public only in recent years. Utilizing new research tools, the book offers the most complete account of what actually took place aboard United 93—from its delayed takeoff at Newark International Airport to the moment it plunged upside-down into an open field.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Respectful and Poignant Read
- By Nathan Corpus on 10-07-22
By: Tom McMillan, and others
-
The Last 100 Days
- The Tumultuous and Controversial Story of the Final Days of World War II in Europe
- By: John Toland
- Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
- Length: 27 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 835
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 752
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 755
A dramatic countdown of the final months of World War II in Europe, The Last 100 Days brings to life the waning power and the ultimate submission of the Third Reich. To reconstruct the tumultuous hundred days between Yalta and the fall of Berlin, John Toland traveled more than 100,000 miles in twenty-one countries and interviewed more than six hundred people - from Hitler's personal chauffeur to Generals von Manteuffel, Wenck, and Heinrici.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
More the sum of the parts
- By Mike From Mesa on 08-27-15
By: John Toland
-
The Astronaut Maker
- How One Mysterious Engineer Ran Human Spaceflight for a Generation
- By: Michael Cassutt
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 38
One of the most elusive and controversial figures in NASA's history, George W. S. Abbey was called "the Dark Lord", "the Godfather", and "UNO" (unidentified NASA official) by those within NASA. Yet Abbey had more influence on human spaceflight than almost anyone in history. From young pilot and wannabe astronaut to engineer, bureaucrat, and finally director of the Johnson Space Center, Abbey's story has never been fully told - until now. The Astronaut Maker takes listeners inside NASA to learn the real story of how Abbey rose to power and wielded it out of the spotlight.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent Book for Space Enthusiasts
- By Amazon Customer on 06-30-24
By: Michael Cassutt
-
Interface
- By: Neal Stephenson, J. Frederick George
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
- Length: 25 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,463
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,205
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 1,205
In this now-classic thriller, he and fellow author J. Frederick George tell a shocking tale with an all-too plausible premise. There's no way William A. Cozzano can lose the upcoming presidential election. He's a likable midwestern governor with one insidious advantage - an advantage provided by a shadowy group of backers.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Interface
- By Dianne on 08-14-10
By: Neal Stephenson, and others
What listeners say about B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jan M
- 11-10-18
Educational Listen
I found this book to be very informational. Jerome J McLaughlin wrote a very interesting book and had some cool stories included in this book. Bill Nevitt did a good performance with his narration. He is very articulate. I do not listen to many non-fiction books, but am glad I did listen to this one. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- MolllyT
- 10-25-18
Be careful what you wish for!
historical-research, restoration, museum, air-war, nose-art *****
Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it.
Any history geek into restoration can tell horror stories to back up that old saw,but few have dealt with a *free* historical relic the size of a World War 2 bomber. Imagine. First to get it cleared of debris, hire a specialized professional moving company, disassemble then reassemble at home site, then deal with cosmetics. And all on donations and volunteer work.
Excellent rendition of all the work done and unfortunate complications done in a matter of fact manner until time for crowing when all is done but the admiration of fellow aficionados.
Number Three son will certainly try to take his young family to the museum in Savanna!
Bill Nevitt is perfect for narrating nonfiction with his obviously interested presentation and clear unaccented voice.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jessica Lynn
- 07-02-18
Excellent book with only one drawback
I received this book from Bill Nevitt in return for an honest review.
I very much enjoyed this book as it details the restoration of the B-17 Flying Fortress The City of Savanna. Much detail regarding the history of the B-17 in general and this aircraft in particular. Jerome McLaughlin does an excellent job of telling the story. Bill Nevitt does an equally excellent job of narration. My only complaint about this book is that McLaughlin frequently takes the reader out of the story and onto rabbit trails in sidebars that are informative but distracts from the unfolding story. I would have preferred them to be put into an appendix in the back of the book and just let the story unfold naturally.
This is the only audiobook that I have finished so far this year.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Definitely not Matt
- 11-05-18
Interesting book
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Its a good long and perhaps a little too in-depth discussion of the restoration. There's some things that I think could have been left on the cutting room floor, but overall an enjoyable and educational listen. If you like history you'll like this I think.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Scott
- 12-20-16
Honoring A WWII Bomber's Restoration
If you could sum up B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration in three words, what would they be?
Honor, Duty, Veterans
Any additional comments?
This Book not only honors WWII veterans but how the volunteers spent thousands of hours restoring one of their B-17s
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kingsley
- 10-20-18
Great retelling although it loses steam at the end
3.5 / 5
The first two thirds of this book tell the story of how the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force acquired and restored a B-17 flying fortress. Opened in 1992 the museum was built with the space for a B17, but it wasn't until 2009 that they got one - and in very bad shape. The next 6 years were built restoring the plane to it's former glory. The book tells the history of the plane (it never actually saw combat, but that an extensive post-war career) and how the restoration work was done. This was really interesting and highly informative.
The last third is pretty much just all recollections and statements from people involved. Some stories are interesting, some are just repetitive. It includes a large section that is just person after person stating how they got involved that why. It's an extended credits and thank yous, effectively. It is an important thing to capture, but it doesn't make for an exciting read. Especially after hearing something of "I did it a a memorial for the people who fought" twenty times in a row.
The writing and structure is a little stilted, but it works. Throughout the book it has little personal anecdotes or recollections from people involve in the work. they aren't included organically, instead are all prefaced with 'This was a recollection from XXXX' and end with 'and now continuing with out story'. It was very clunky.
But even with all my issues, I really enjoyed the book and the information within. I would definitely recommend googling the museum as there are lots of photos on it's website of the restoration. Would have been great if they could have been included in a PDF with the audiobook or something. I will admit, until I looked up the photos i was imagining in my head a B24, not a B17.
Narration by Bill Nevitt is good. He inputs the emotions of the personal anecdotes, but doesn't provide 'voices' for them. His accent (I'm guessing Georgian, to match the place of the book) grated at first, but I got used to it. He is well paced and clear and conveys the information well. Happy to listen to more of his work.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Luke
- 01-13-19
"Now back to the story"
Title is an oft-repeated phrase, and unfortunately it does get annoying. But as far as actually telling about the restoration, it's informative. Perhaps not the most interesting story ever told, but I did enjoy learning about the process behind the restoration project.
Nevitt is a fine narrator, rarely did I notice any background noise or mispronounced words.
Recommended for: anyone interested in learning the ins & outs of a restoration project for museums.
**I was provided with a free promotional copy, at my request, and have voluntarily left a fair and honest review**
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- 🐺 SCARLET PIMPERNEL 🐺
- 10-15-18
TIMES OF THE WAR
A WONDERFUL NARRATION !
REMINDS US OF THE GREAT SACRIFICE AND LOYALTY THAT OUR MEN DISPLAYED IN WW2.
I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE FROM THIS NARRATOR!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- KD
- 11-05-18
interesting but somewhat dry
I did enjoy the content, but i did feel the content was. But i guess there is a limit to how interesting a book on vehicle restoration can be
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- J. Warren Benton
- 10-12-17
A story of passion and pride
Caveat: I received this book free for a review. Audiobook boom is a great source to find free audiobooks. I do not ask for a book unless it is something I would be interested in otherwise. So being as I got the book for free its price has no bearing on my review.
This book will not be for everyone. I spent a few years of my professional career working with and around Coast Guard aviation. I have seen aircraft taken apart and put back together. I also knew some of the guys that were a part of the Phoenix Project. This was the first and only Coast Guard aircraft restored and put in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. So I knew some of the tedious labor involved in restoring an aircraft that no one makes parts for anymore.
This book is not for the WWII buff looking for acts of heroism or tales of espionage. This book is about the elbow grease and years of dedicated service to restoring the B-17. McLaughlin jokes how early in the project they didn't even know what they didn't know. Luckily for the early volunteers, they were not afraid to ask for help. They seemed to get help and donations from all over the place. Being donated a turret. Being donated paints, and most of all people with skills donating there time to help pull the plane together.
The project took 6 years to complete. One thing the Mighty Eighth Museum can boast about is it has the only static B-17 with working turrets.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!