ON THE COVER:
Magnificent view of Boeing B-17E 41-24361 Wabash Cannon Ball. This aircraft was originally assigned to the Royal Air Force as FA676 but was transferred to the USAAF before delivery. It went to the 301st Bomb Group in England during July 1942 before heading to Algeria on 24 November 1942 where it was with the 96th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Group (flying 34 missions). It was then on to Tunisia with the 348th Bomb Squadron, 99th Bomb Group, on 28 March 1944 (52 missions by this time), before transferring to the 840th BS, 483rd BG, on 31 March 1944 and completing 98 missions. The aircraft was returned to the USA on 11 June 1944. It went to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation at Altus on 20 August 1945 where it was sold for scrap. (USAAF)

FEATURES:

THE SMASHER
Part One of an in-depth examination of “Hollywood Pilot” Paul Mantz and how he helped develop the art of aerial photography for the movie industry, culminating with his fleet of three converted B-25 Mitchells / by Scott Thompson

SEVER THE SKY!
How Russian immigrant Alexander de Seversky created a pioneering series of high-speed racing aircraft that initially led to fame but finally resulted in charges that he was a traitor to his new homeland / by Tim Weinschenker

COST OF WAR
Continuing our photographic series on the tremendous loss of aircraft during the Second World War / by Michael O’Leary

DEPARTMENTS:

MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

WARBIRD & CLASSIC REPORT
Update on a possible Airworthiness Directive that may result in the grounding of the flying B-17 population along with a report on the Hagerstown Aviation Museum / by Doug Fisher

FROM THE COCKPIT
What it was like to prepare and fly the mighty Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat known as Rare Bear / by Matt Jackson

FRIDAY NIGHT OLDIES
Kodachromes of surplus ex-military aircraft / by Doug Fisher

DOWN MEMORY’S RUNWAY
Aircraft from aviation’s glorious past / by Norm Taylor

AIRLINES
Thoughts and opinions from the readers of Air Classics along with a look at the strange goings-on with the Royal Canadian Air Force