Published: 6 November 08
Air & Space Power Journal

The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 by Herbert S. Brownstein. Smithsonian Institution Press, 470 L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 7100, Washington, D.C. 20560, 1993, 212 pages, $29.95.

Herbert S. Brownstein weaves the story of a B-17 bomber that—like the proverbial cat with nine lives—is reborn time and again, finally obtaining immortality at the Smithsonian Institution as a soon-to-be memorial. The exploits of the aircraft named The Swoose are remarkable to the point of being nearly unbelievable; indeed, were it not for the extensive documentation, pictures, and narratives contained in the book, the reader would be inclined to reject the account as leftover government propaganda. The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 is a sketch of an airplane that survived against all odds. It is a fact-filled story that will captivate anyone who enjoys history or who has fantasized about life aboard a Flying Fortress.

Bomber, cargo plane, airliner, and diplomat, The Swoose is indeed a unique aircraft. She began life as an ordinary B-17D in April 1941 for the price of $347,000. Later, she earned her name (meaning part swan, part goose) from a song of the era, but it is a name with truly deep significance. The airplane was transformed from a nearly destroyed, has-been bomber into a sleek, beautiful transport for Gen George H. Bretts diplomatic missions to South America. During her active lifetime, The Swoose was a pioneer of long-range aviation, broke many records, and served with some of our nations greatest heroes. The following are just a few of her accomplishments:

• Made the first nonstop flight by a land-based military aircraft from the continental United States to Hawaii.
• Flew the second bombing mission of World War II (on the afternoon of 10 December 1941, bombing Japanese forces invading the Philippines).
• Flew the first night-bombing mission (also in the Philippines).
• Shot down a Japanese Zero (first bomber to do so).
• Broke several speed records, including the trans-Tasmanian Sea speed record (on 17 May 1942).
• Helped Gen Douglas MacArthur evacuate from the Philippines.
• Landed in a desert farm field in Australia with Lyndon B. Johnson on board (on 10 June 1942).
• Returned from the war zone to the United States (first combat bomber to do so).

Brownstein does a good job of laying out the history of this one-of-a-kind bomber. He begins with a complete description of the many B-17 Flying Fortress models, including the number built and types of improvements. These details help place B-17D, serial no. 40-3097 (The Swoose), into its historical context and allow the reader to appreciate its capabilities and limitations. The author does not divide the book chronologically, as one would expect; rather, each chapter is a description of a new activity in the bombers life (e.g., genesis, journey to the Pacific, combat, diplomatic operations, etc.). Each chapter not only recounts the historic flights of the aircraft but also details the complete crew lists—including a life outline of primary crew members. Fifty-seven pictures and diagrams, together with their captions, contribute greatly to the substance of this book. Brownstein also places extensive documentation in appendixes that cover crew listings, flight orders, an abbreviated log, and other essential facts. Certainly, readers will not be disappointed with the detailed treatment of aircraft and aircrews.

The book, however, is not without some flaws. In several places, Brownstein takes off on tangential descriptions of missions flown by Swoose pilots in different airplanes. By doing so, the author leaves the reader trying to remember which aircraft did what. Similarly, the long paragraphs that list various crews serve only to distance the reader from the story line; thus, they can be quite annoying. The book would have been enhanced by increasing the number of Swoose "war stories," particularly those told from a crew members perspective. Further, by expanding the background history of World War II, Brownstein could have helped less knowledgeable readers better appreciate the contributions made by The Swoose.

The author has put together a good, factual account of a remarkable aircraft. Anyone who has relished time spent in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum or the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, will likewise appreciate The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17, which reads easily and quickly. This aircrafts full name was The Swoose—It Flies. The same can be said of Brownstein's book—its a high flier.

Maj Dan Hobbs, USAF
Offutt AFB, Nebraska

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.