B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration

De: Jerome J McLaughlin

Narrado por: Bill Nevitt

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.

©2016 Jerome J. McLaughlin (P)2016 Jerome J. McLaughlin

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.

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.

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.

"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**

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!