Baker 30 Author:Stephen McDonald The story of Baker 30 carefully weaves together several important developments in American history to present an exciting story about an ex-8th Air Force World War II bomber commander. The hero finds himself once again piloting B-17s, but, this time, in a peaceful mission of fighting western wildland fires for the U.S. Forest Service. The ... more »time frame is 1960, when the airtanker industry is just starting to buy large surplus military aircraft, such as the PB4Y and B-17, for conversion to firefighters. The main character, Colonel Bob MacIntyre, is suffering from a neuropsychiatric disorder (post traumatic stress syndrome) from leading high risk WW II bombing runs over Germany. After suffering intermittent flashbacks for fifteen years, his long-term health is becomes seriously threatened. His youthful VA doctor believes that, for the Colonel to overcome his illness, he must be placed into an environment similar to his World War II days. Then, he might be able to reconcile his flashbacks with the real world. The airtanker industry seems made to order for Colonel MacIntyres therapyor is it? What happens to the Hero forms the crux of the story as he enters the colorful and dangerous world of aerial firefighting. If you like aviation stories, you will enjoy Baker 30. By the way, Baker 30 is a real B-17. She was used for years for forest fire fighting. Now an honored retiree on display at the Pima Air Museum, Tucson, AZ, she is back in her original Army Air Force colors!« less