Haynes Owners' Workshop Manuals: B-17, F-86, DC-3, Tiger Tank, & Space Shuttle

Publisher: Zenith Press
Binding: Hardcover

For anyone who has tinkered with a car or motorcycle, the Haynes name will be familiar. From the production of the first real Haynes Manual in 1965 (covering the Austin Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite), the Haynes name has appeared on over 500 manuals covering all sorts of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The format follows the teardown of the subject vehicle, with detailed photos and text that makes even the most challenging job appear simple.

Zenith Press has teamed up with the Haynes name and has produced a line of books known as the Owners' Workshop Manual. The subjects covered in this new hardbound series ranges from jet fighters to commercial transports, military tanks, and even space vehicles. Unlike the original Haynes manuals, these books will not give you a step-by-step teardown of the subject, but rather a solid overview of the subject, including a detailed anatomy. Each title varies slightly to accommodate the differences inherent in such a wide range of subjects, but there are enough similarities to have each book feel familiar and part of a series, much like the original Haynes manuals.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Author: Graeme Douglas
ISBN: 978-0-7603-4077-6
Pages: 160

One of the most iconic bomber aircraft of the Second World War, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress had a huge production run and long service life. This Haynes Owners' Workshop Manual covers all B-17 variants, from 1935 onwards. Like many titles in this series, the book focuses on one surviving example, and a short introduction covers the history of "The Pink Lady", the restored example detailed in the pages. Following that introduction comes a pair of chapters covering the development and wartime record of the B-17.

Most of the book, though, details the specific aircraft, in this case B-17G 44-8846, the only airworthy B-17 that actually saw combat during the Second World War. Currently on display in France, this aircraft is maintained in flying condition. The sections detailing this specific aircraft include the comprehensive anatomy section as well as chapters on the engines, flying the plane, and an engineer's view.

North American F-86 Sabre

Author: Mark Linney
ISBN: 978-0-7603-4292-3
Pages: 164

The North American F-86 Sabre was a highly successful early jet fighter. With the prototype first flying in 1947 and the last example retiring from military service in 1993, the F-86 has had decades of operations around the world, including several wars and conflicts. Its big production numbers, both by North American and through license-production around the world, has made the F-86 a very popular item for warbird collections. Quite a few Sabres are flying today, including the subject of this book, Golden Apple Operations' F-86A, 48-178. Not only is this the only flying F-86A variant, but it is also the oldest flying jet aircraft.

This book details the history of the F-86 Sabre, including a good overview of the wartime record of the type. This includes the Korean War, Chinese operations during both Taiwan Straits crises, the Indo-Pakistan war, Bangladesh Liberation war, and operations in Guinea Bisssau. Detailing the F-86A are chapters on flying the plane, a detailed anatomy of the Sabre, and the engineer's view on servicing and maintaining the plane.

Douglas DC-3 Dakota

Authors: Paul and Louise Blackah
ISBN: 978-0-7603-4291-6
Pages: 160

While its passenger operation days are behind it, the Douglas DC-3 (and its military equivalent, the C-47) continues to operate today as a cargo aircraft, as well as a regular sight as a warbird. Volumes have been written about this aircraft, and it will likely have many more books written as it continues to make history. This book covers ZA947, an RAF Dakota that was built in 1942. Recently repainted, the aircraft is in the colors of FZ692, complete with invasion stripes. Interestingly, the original FZ692 also survived the war and is still flying under civil registry in Canada, further proving the durability of this classic design.

The book follows the format of the other Owners' Workshop Manuals, with a very short history of the DC-3/C-47 (a complete history would result in a book easily ten times the size of this one). The anatomy of the Dakota follows that, as does a section on the engines. An interesting sideline is the section on what it's like to own a DC-3, from purchasing to operating and insuring. What it's like to fly and maintain the aircraft round out the book.

NASA Space Shuttle

Author: Dr David Baker
ISBN: 978-0-7603-4076-9
Pages: 196

A bit different from the other titles in this series, this book covers the impressive NASA Space Shuttle. Now retired from service, the Space Shuttle was the primary method of lifting American astronauts into space, along with a wide range of payloads. As these are not in private hands, and won't be seen on the airshow circuit, this book changes formats slightly. While the history section is present, as is the anatomy and chapter on the powerplant, the rest of the book details the interesting story of flying the Shuttle, living on it while in space, and the challenges of returning home. A short section also covers the missions from the early 1980s to the last mission in 2011.

Tiger Tank

Authors: David Fletcher, David Willey and Mike Hayton
ISBN: 978-0-7603-4078-3
Pages: 164

In addition to aviation subjects, the Haynes Owners' Workshop Manual series includes ground vehicles, such as this title that covers the famous Tiger tank. An impressive vehicle that was part of many dramatic armor battles during the Second World War, few examples of the Tiger tank managed to survive the war and enter private collections. This book details Tiger 131. Following the short history section, this book covers the challenges of getting and restoring this tank.

Of course, the anatomy section comes first, and this is much smaller than the similar sections found in other books in this series. This is because there is not much to the Tiger tank, and it does not take long to dissect it. The interesting story of restoring it to running condition follows the anatomy section, with detailed information on operating the Tiger tank and details about the engine coming next. A bit on the firepower comes next, followed by what it was like to fight in the Tiger tank. The book concludes with a piece on the disposition of other Tiger tanks.

Conclusion

These books are great references on their respective subjects, combining an interesting text with lots of detailed photos. The latter will be of great use to the modeler, as they show both period historical examples as well details from the current restored subject. My thanks to Zenith Press for the review copies.