Introduction
Pacific Profiles Volume 16 Allied Bombers: B-17 Flying Fortress series, Australia, New Guinea and the Solomons 1942-44 is a new title from Avonmore Books, which specializes in high-quality printing of titles focusing on the air war in the South and Southwest Pacific. This book features original color illustrations, presents fresh information, clarifies facts or corrects longstanding errors perpetuated for decades, and includes new markings and information.
Authored and illustrated by Japanese wartime aviation expert Michael John Claringbould, this book is the fruit of months burrowing into original American records and documents. Composed of 124 pages including the index, full of photos and colorful artwork, it is published by Avonmore Books and catalogued with ISBN 9780975642351. As Avonmore introduces the book:
The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of Allied and Japanese aircraft which served throughout the Australia, South Pacific and New Guinea theatres. This Volume 16 covers the B-17E/F series which served from their first appearance in Australia in the early weeks of the Pacific War until the final commander's Fortress was scrapped in late 1944. The Fortress served with eighteen USAAF bombardment squadrons whilst many, after being stripped down and modified, went on to serve as transports and commander's aircraft.
Most profiles are presented for the first time, alongside markings derivations, including unit heraldry, artwork and serial numbers. This volume corrects past errors and bridges a vast gap in Fortress markings especially in respect to the Thirteenth Air Force. Wide-ranging reference material sources assignment data, wreck reports, squadron records, maintenance logs, diaries, air base movement logs and markings specifications. The profiles are accompanied by brief unit histories.
Mr. Claringbould's credentials are mentioned in previous reviews; raised in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, these subjects are a life-long pursuit of his and he has authored more than 20 other titles. Most concern the air war in the South Pacific. His series Pacific Profiles currently offers 16 titles, focusing on Allied and Japanese fighters, bombers, transports and miscellaneous types, and Japanese seaplanes.
Boeing’s legendary B-17 Flying Fortress is an icon of the European air war. While eclipsed by the Consolidated B-24 Liberator as the heavy bomber of the South and Southwest Pacific, the B-17 carried the heavy bombardment role in the Pacific into 1943, and soldiered there on after the longer-ranged B-24 supplanted it. I was surprised to learn that B-17s served into late 1944.
This book is primarily a technical and visual presentation, full of photographs and original artwork by the author. He addresses the colors, markings, serial numbers, camouflage and variations of the B-17, and finally gives Thirteen Air Force B-17s in-depth coverage. Pacific B-17s flew with a variety of camouflage colors and patterns beyond the Army Air Forces’ (USAAF) olive over gray, including RAF colors and the unique five-color Hawaii Air Depot Scheme (HAD). The author utilized assignment data, wreck reports, squadron records, maintenance logs, diaries, marking specifications and air base records to clarify and correct past inaccuracies concerning the south Pacific B-17s, as well as those in Hawaii and Midway in the dark days of 1942.
B-17s are a favorite of modelers. They were at Pearl Harbor and Clark Field when the war started. While B-24s supplanted "Flying Forts" in the Pacific, Gen. Kenney's "Flying Buccaneers" in New Guinea and the Thirteenth Air Force in the Solomons flew some uniquely painted and marked B-17s of the war. This book will show an amazing assortment of them.
Contents
Allied Bombers: B-17 Flying Fortress series Australia, New Guinea and the Solomons 1942-44 is told through 124 pages (front and rear content inclusive) and 23 chapters.
These chapters are abundantly illustrated with photographs and artwork. After a brief introduction about the author, unit histories began after a groundwork of 14 pages of historical, operational and technical discussions. The author provides a map of the area from the eastern half of New Guinea down into the northeastern part of Australia, thence east past Fiji. A table presents each unit that flew B-17s, in what function, from the month of the year to the end of service of the type in the unit.
The chaos of trying to support a heavy bomber force in the theater is highlighted as the author explains the riot of non-standard and ever changing markings in contrast to what official orders found their way to the units. The depth of research is demonstrated by the author’s ability to name two dozen B-17 serial numbers of B-17s wearing HAD schemes, the general who concocted the non-standard schemes, and his own version of the red and white striped rudder. We also learn of a variety of radar and other equipment installed in the B-17s.
Starting with chapter two the bomb groups are identified and explained, which is helpful because there was a lot of change. We learn of the ebb and flow of early B-17 unit assignments between different parent units, and the impact upon the challenge of properly identifying which units a particular aircraft was a part of in a particular time. This, and the following chapters, provides far more to geek-out about than merely “big bomber drop bombs guns shoot”.
Then begins the final approach into the 19 chapters of individual squadron histories, and a pair of miscellaneous B-17 units. Early-war tables of organization and equipment exigencies created some little-known unit designations and these are covered by the author, along with the familiar designations into which they transformed. Each squadron receives, to the extend records are available, brief histories including dates and locations of formation, commanders, significant dates, deployments, combats, and interesting anecdotes. As mentioned above, this is primarily a visual presentation of the subjects. Thus, each chapter is supported with numerous color illustrations by the author, of documented airframes which are shown through photographs. Each image is supported with a narrative of varying detail. For instance, B-17E 41-2609 Miss Mavis / Loose Goose of the 63rd Bombardment Squadron (63th BS) includes its rare camouflage, date of arrival in Australia, and the story behind the second nickname, plus combat trivia. Another B-17's history includes the names of the noseart artists and sponsors, a recount of combat, and where the airframe can be found today. Still another caption recounts that a certain bomber’s war score was painted for publicity purposes, and that the aircraft returned to the USA for training duty. Another profile documents and displays why the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer appears very light in color. Plenty of interesting stories are included, i.e., a B-17 that arrived in theater in the dark early days of the war, the date it was ferried back to Hawaii for overhaul, its return to the war zone thence the date of its final deployment and destination. A combat story tells of a formation intercepted by a mixed bag of Japanese fighters and floatplanes that killed the bomber's flightcrew, necessitating the Bomb Group (BG) commanding officer - acting as an observer - to take control of the bomber and try to recover to base. When available, each unit history includes the record of losses of pilots and aircraft (with name and cause when known), and unit nickname.
Photographs, Artwork and Graphics
Modelers will find a splendid gallery of of black-and-white and even color photos to support the text. Many are inspirational for dioramas in addition to helping us model the best B-17 we can manage. They provide a great deal of value beyond presenting the subject of this book. They span the gamut of professionally exposed and developed images to amateur pictures. Some are stills taken from motion pictures. Several show damaged aircraft. The author chose excellent images that visually confirm insignias and odd airframe finishes. Many simply amaze me.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the book is the original color artwork by the author of select aircraft. As previously mentioned, each profile is supported by photos and/or documentation. As in the artist’s other books, weathering and wear is illustrated. His experience as a pilot allows him to authentically render atmospherics for in-flight illustrations.
Profiles are authenticated with a wartime photograph of the aircraft. Most of the profiles include a line or two, or a small paragraph, of narrative of the history of the aircraft.
Artwork
As are the photographs, the illustrations are a treasure trove for modelers. While the academic and technical research is the brain of this book, perhaps the most impressive part is the original color artwork that visually spotlights what the text imparts. The author richly illustrates select B-17s – 107 profiles - and dozens of supporting illustrations. Those renders present unique markings, insignia, and camouflage finishes.
Map
Main B-17 bases in Australia, New Guinea and the South Pacific, 1942-43, and Japanese bases.
Table
B-17 Squadrons SOPAC & SWPA, Deployment Timelines 1942-44, by month and year, of bomber and transport units, and attached units, for 5th and 13th Air Forces.
Artwork
Markings and Technical Notes:
- B-17E/F Markings & Technical showing five aircraft displaying 15 components and distinct markings.
- B-17E/F Series Stencils showing common servicing and informational stenciling, and a variety of serial number styles.
14th Reconnaissance Squadron: five profiles including three HAD schemes.
23rd Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s with eight insignia, names, and a partial airframe.
26th Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s; three insignia.
28th Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s; eight insignia, names and noseart, and a partial airframe.
30th Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s; six insignia, names and noseart, and a partial airframe.
31st Bombardment Squadron: two B-17s; two scoreboards; unit insignia.
40th Reconnaissance Squadron and 435th Bombardment Squadron: seven B-17s plus nine insignia, names and noseart, and a partial airframes.
42nd Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s plus seven insignia, names and noseart, and a partial airframes.
63rd Bombardment Squadron: 10 B-17s with 22 insignia, names and noseart, and a partial airframes.
64th Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s plus eight insignia, names and noseart, and a partial airframes.
65th Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s plus six closeups of insignia, names and noseart, and a partial airframes.
72nd Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s plus six closeups of the subjects mentioned above.
93rd Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s plus 11 closeups.
98th Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s with five closeups.
394th Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s with nine closeups.
403rd Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s with six closeups.
8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron: two B-17s with eight closeups.
431st Bombardment Squadron: five B-17s with six closeups.
2nd Provisional Bombardment Squadron: two B-17s.
Commanders’ Transports: seven B-17s with eight closeups.
Armed Transports: also seven B-17s with eight closeups.
Conclusion
Mr. Claringbould and Avonmore have provided yet another essential book for modelers, students and historians of the B-17 in the South Pacific air war. Modelers of B-17s now have a modern wonderful resource to inspire model subjects of Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force B-17s, and this book presents them in 107 colorful profiles. The accuracy of the color profile interpretations are authenticated by contemporary photographs. The photos and illustrations have inspired several B-17 models for building and painting.
While I would acquire this book for the gallery of images alone, the research presented by the text is illuminating and fascinating, and I enthusiastically recommend it.
Please remember to mention to Avonmore Books and retailers that you saw this product here - on Aeroscale.