- Historically rich in detail with previously unpublished photographs from private archives
- Emphasises little-known and unique experimental and modified military aircraft for the purpose of research and experimentation in support of development, advancing aeronautical technology or meeting narrow needs for the evolving battlefield
- Illuminates little known or minimally documented projects, which significantly advanced the science and technology of aeronautics, propulsion, aircraft systems, avionics and ordnance
- The ‘war stories’ are those of military staffs, engineering teams and test pilots struggling against short schedules and tight resource constraints to push the bounds of technology
- A new and fresh angle on American wartime aviation and of much interest to military and aviation historians as well as modellers
This book presents a little-known aspect of America’s aircraft development during the Second World War in emphasising unique and non-production aircraft or modifications for the purpose of research and experimentation in support of development, advancing technology or meeting narrow combat needs.
It describes important areas of aviation weapons maturation during war with an emphasis on advanced technology and experimental aircraft configurations. The great value of the work is of little known or minimally documented projects, which significantly advanced the science of aeronautics, propulsion, aircraft systems and ordnance, but did not go into production.
Each chapter introduces another topic by examining the state-of-the-art at the beginning of the war, advantages pursued, and results achieved during the conflict as well as examining the secret modifications or experiments that are little known.
Consequently, this is an important single source for a fascinating and diverse collection of wartime efforts never-before brought together under a single cover.
| BOOK ISBN |
9781781557259 |
| FORMAT |
248 x 172 mm |
| BINDING |
Hardback |
| PAGES |
448 pages |
| PUBLICATION DATE |
23 May 2019 |
| TERRITORY |
World |
| ILLUSTRATIONS |
332 black-and-white photographs |
William J. Norton is a flight test engineer, continuing a career as a US Air Force officer for twenty years where he also served as aircrew on test aircraft. Norton has held numerous positions in many organisations on dozens of aerospace programmes spanning all aircraft types. He has penned scores of technical papers, fourteen books, a multitude of magazine articles and holds a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering. Also, he is a civil pilot with numerous ratings, restored and operates a DHC-1 Chipmunk and built a Rutan Long-EZ.
