ISBN: 1580071252

[SR: 1631978], Hardcover, [EAN: 9781580071253], Specialty Press, Specialty Press, Book, [PU: Specialty Press], Specialty Press, During the 1930s, American tactical aircraft ranged from sm… Mehr…

[SR: 1631978], Hardcover, [EAN: 9781580071253], Specialty Press, Specialty Press, Book, [PU: Specialty Press], Specialty Press, During the 1930s, American tactical aircraft ranged from small biplanes to all-metal monoplanes, but they lacked the range, performance, and firepower required to combat a new foe in the darkening skies over Europe. With their 300-mph top speeds, these airplanes represented the "step before the step" in achieving the higher performance of legendary fighters used in World War II, but the secrets of what became America's first "next generation" fighters lay in the design, construction, and flight testing of radical new airplanes that broke the rules of aeronautical engineering and were intended to push performance envelopes to new limits. Although the Materiel Division of the Air Corps faced a daunting task, unique designs from Vultee, Curtiss-Wright, and Northrop ultimately emerged to win contracts for building experimental prototypes of airplanes with very different configurations. Powered by either inline or radial piston powerplants, these new designs looked more futuristic on paper than anything seen before, but the acid test was to see how they flew. Would they become record-breaking champions, or frustrating aeronautical "problem children" confounding their engineers, builders, and pilots? Noted author Gerald H. Balzer tells this story using original factory photos and comprehensive information that has never before been published. This fascinating tale of America's first Pusher Fighters highlights the trials and tribulations of innovative designers, dedicated builders, and courageous test pilots, each of whom contributed to bringing the Vultee XP-54 "Swoose Goose," Curtiss-Wright XP-55 "Ascender," and Northrop XP-56 "Black Bullet" into reality., 5012, Aviation, 5011, Military, 9, History, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 5022, United States, 4868, Civil War, 173578, Operation Desert Storm, 5024, Veterans, 5025, Vietnam War, 5011, Military, 9, History, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 5031, World War II, 5011, Military, 9, History, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 13922587011, Vehicles, 5011, Military, 9, History, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books, 226498, Aerospace, 226499, Aerodynamics, 107150011, Aircraft Design & Construction, 7921644011, Astronautics & Space Flight, 107152011, Avionics, 226502, Gas Dynamics, 226505, Propulsion Technology, 173515, Engineering, 173507, Engineering & Transportation, 1000, Subjects, 283155, Books<

ISBN: 9781580071253

American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II analyzes the state of military aircraft procurement just prior to the start of World War II. It provides insight into the difficulties enco… Mehr…

American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II analyzes the state of military aircraft procurement just prior to the start of World War II. It provides insight into the difficulties encountered by America's air services in dealing with an isolationist Congress and a limited mindset in the Army, which was seemingly indifferent to the aeronautical progress being made in Europe by the British and Germans. The book then focuses on the three winners of the 1940 fighter competition - the Vultee XP-54, the Curtiss XP-55, and the Northrop XP-56. Each of these radical designs - engine in the back (aka Pusher) using small canards in front, or, in the case of the XP-56, essentially a flying wing, used non-strategic materials and were developed in secret. At the time, the aerodynamics of these aircraft far outpaced engine development. In addition, this book details the technical difficulties of mating an advanced aircraft design with inadequate engine development. Buch, SPECIALTY PR<

ISBN: 9781580071253

Hardback, [PU: Specialty Press], American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II analyzes the state of military aircraft procurement just prior to the start of World War II. It provides i… Mehr…

Hardback, [PU: Specialty Press], American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II analyzes the state of military aircraft procurement just prior to the start of World War II. It provides insight into the difficulties encountered by America's air services in dealing with an isolationist Congress and a limited mindset in the Army, which was seemingly indifferent to the aeronautical progress being made in Europe by the British and Germans. The book then focuses on the three winners of the 1940 fighter competition - the Vultee XP-54, the Curtiss XP-55, and the Northrop XP-56. Each of these radical designs - engine in the back (aka Pusher) using small canards in front, or, in the case of the XP-56, essentially a flying wing, used non-strategic materials and were developed in secret. At the time, the aerodynamics of these aircraft far outpaced engine development. In addition, this book details the technical difficulties of mating an advanced aircraft design with inadequate engine development., Aircraft<