Author: Dave Menard Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited ISBN: 9780887404832 Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 142
Book Description
Full color photo history of the early USAF covers the great variety of fighters, bombers, transport, helicopters and many other aircraft in use during this period.
Author: William Patrick Dean Publisher: McFarland ISBN: 1476665036 Category : Transportation Languages : en Pages : 313
Book Description
In 1962, a unique transport aircraft was built from the parts of 27 Boeing B-377 airliners to provide NASA a means of transporting rocket boosters. With an interior the size of a gymnasium, "The Pregnant Guppy" was the first of six enormous cargo planes built by Aero Spacelines and two built by Union de Transport Aeriens. More than half a century later, the last Super Guppy is still in active service with NASA and the design concept has been applied to next-generation transports. This comprehensive history of expanded fuselage aircraft begins in the 1940s with the military's need for a long-range transport. The author examines the development of competing designs by Boeing, Convair and Douglas, and the many challenges and catastrophic failures. Behind-the-scenes maneuvers of financiers, corporate raiders, mobsters and other nefarious characters provide an inside look at aviation development from the drawing board to the scrap yard.
Author: Walter J. Boyne Publisher: Macmillan ISBN: 1429901802 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 575
Book Description
From the most important leaders and the most courageous victories to the earliest machines of flight and the most advanced Stealth technology, Walter J. Boyne's Beyond the Wild Blue presents a fascinating look at 50 turbulent years of Air Force history. From the prop-driven armada of World War II to the most advanced Stealth weaponry, from pioneers like General Henry "Hap" Arnold to glorious conquests in the Gulf War, Beyond the Wild Blue is a high-flying study of the triumphs (and failures) of leadership and technology. In three new chapters, Walter Boyne covers an eventful ten years, including 9/11, the invasion of Afghanistan, and the second Gulf War, describing in detail the technological advancements that led to highly efficient airstrikes in Iraq. He also takes stock of the Air Force's doctrine and mission statements as this unique sector of the military grapples with an ever-changing world.
Author: John C. Fredriksen Publisher: ABC-CLIO ISBN: Category : History Languages : en Pages : 392
Book Description
Warbirds pays special attention to the aircraft of America's Golden Age, 1919–1939, and the breakthrough technological developments of that era. Warbirds offers more than 300 A–Z entries of the aircraft of America's Golden Age. Each entry includes a photograph of the warplane, service dates, manufacturer, records set, engineering and performance history, technical innovations, and even operational problems. To help enthusiasts and researchers, the guide cites the very latest books and periodical literature in its two extensive bibliographies. It also lists aviation museums, airplane magazines, and sources of photographs.
Author: Stephen Lee McFarland Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform ISBN: Category : History Languages : en Pages : 96
Book Description
Except in a few instances, since World War II no American soldier or sailor has been attacked by enemy air power. Conversely, no enemy soldier orsailor has acted in combat without being attacked or at least threatened by American air power. Aviators have brought the air weapon to bear against enemies while denying them the same prerogative. This is the legacy of the U.S. AirForce, purchased at great cost in both human and material resources.More often than not, aerial pioneers had to fight technological ignorance, bureaucratic opposition, public apathy, and disagreement over purpose.Every step in the evolution of air power led into new and untrodden territory, driven by humanitarian impulses; by the search for higher, faster, and farther flight; or by the conviction that the air way was the best way. Warriors have always coveted the high ground. If technology permitted them to reach it, men, women andan air force held and exploited it-from Thomas Selfridge, first among so many who gave that "last full measure of devotion"; to Women's Airforce Service Pilot Ann Baumgartner, who broke social barriers to become the first Americanwoman to pilot a jet; to Benjamin Davis, who broke racial barriers to become the first African American to command a flying group; to Chuck Yeager, a one-time non-commissioned flight officer who was the first to exceed the speed of sound; to John Levitow, who earned the Medal of Honor by throwing himself over a live flare to save his gunship crew; to John Warden, who began a revolution in air power thought and strategy that was put to spectacular use in the Gulf War.Industrialization has brought total war and air power has brought the means to overfly an enemy's defenses and attack its sources of power directly. Americans have perceived air power from the start as a more efficient means of waging war and as a symbol of the nation's commitment to technology to master challenges, minimize casualties, and defeat adversaries.
Author: Dave Menard
Author: William Patrick Dean
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Author: Robin Higham
Author: Walter J. Boyne
Author: John C. Fredriksen
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Author: Stephen Lee McFarland
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