American Aircraft Development: Research, Experimentation and Modification 1939-1945

Right up front this author notes that the chapters in the book are somewhat episodic. They skip around in terms of subject matter and timeframe. That is understandable and does not materially detract from the narrative continuity.Topics covered in the book include:Chapter 1 - Foundation (a look at what the US had in terms of pre-war industry and capabilities)Chapter 2 - Aeronautical Achievements (a review of a myriad of groundbreaking innovations to include artillery spotting planes - which were perhaps not SO groundbreaking but certainly worthwhile)Chapter 3 - Propulsion Challenges (jets versus turboprops versus inline versus radial engines)Chapter 4 - Rocket Promise (rocket planes and assisted take off systems)Chapter 5 - Sonic Reach (the one field in which the Germans excelled - making jets)Chapter 6 - Undercarriage variants (snow and soft field landing/takeoff capabilities)Chapter 7 - Range Extension (air to air refueling in WW2 no less)Chapter 8 - Piloting Diversions (where to put pilots in a/c, improving visibility, ergonomics, etc.)Chapter 9 - Mission Support (mitigating factors that impact on mission completion, icing, etc.)Chapter 10 - Special Missions (air sea rescue and medevac)Chapter 11 - Shipboard Duties (very interesting narrative showing USAAF did far more than Doolittle Raid from carriers)Chapter 12 - Miscellaneous Projects (Advanced trainers, escort bombers for other bombers, new camouflage schemes, A-bomb variant of B-29 and the like)Chapter 13 - Foreign Influence (Flight testing of captured enemy aircraft)Chapter 14 - A Step Along (Follow on impact of wartime research)Photographic coverage is excellent with many one-of-a-kind pictures included.Would have much rather not detracted anything but Fonthill's numerous editorial gaffes were in some cases quite jarring. To be truthful, authors should check up on what their editors are doing to the narrative.That said, I have no qualms about getting more of his books.

coverage was superb, but details could have been more detailed. kindle version poor graphics-device limita.tions

I thought it was an informative but somewhat dull book. It describes and discusses a wide variety of topics that all contributed to improved aircraft performance during WW II.One of the more significant efforts, and obvious today, is the work on the National Advisory Council on Aeronautics (NACA) in the 1920s and 1930s on aerodynamic smoothing or drag reducing of engine cowlings, landing gear nacelles, and fuselages. NACA also performed much research on airfoil designs. It also studied the effect of making the surfaces of the skins of the wings and fuselages smoother. I have long noticed that starting in the early 1930s, airplanes started looking like those of today. Before that time, airplanes looked boxy or rough with all sorts of drag-inducing items protruding into the airstream. NACA did much wind-tunnel work on the smoothing of wing, empanage (tail), and fuselage surfaces and also conducted investigations into improved stability with better rudder, elevator, and aileron controls.The book also address other subjects such as improving the ranges of the airplanes, better flight control systems, loadings on wings and tail units during combat maneuvers, and shock loads induced by landings. Other subjects covered include aerial refueling, slots and flaps for STOL performance, improved engine performance, cockpit and fuselage pressurization, rocket-assisted takeoff equipment, tricycle landing gear, canopy designs, and aircraft transport across oceans to combat areas.It's a very comprehensive book and I enjoyed reading it. It's just not very exciting, though. That's probably the way aerial progress is made -- unexciting but thorough and long-term.