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description: This print replica reproduction contains two authoritative and informative U.S. Air Force history documents: Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems Volume I Fighter Aircraft 1945-1973 and Volume II Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973. Volume I: This volume contains basic information on all Air Force fighters developed between World War II and 1973 including all configurations. It is based primarily on US Air Force sources. The origin of each aircraft is noted as well as its most troublesome development production and operational problems. Also covered are significant modifications most of which can be attributed to ever-changing aeronautical technology. Production totals delivery rates unit costs phaseout dates and other important milestones are provided as well as a brief description of each version's new features. The book begins with the first postwar American jet fighter the F-80 Shooting Star. It ends with Northrop's F-5 Freedom Fighter. Complete consistency of data on each fighter was not always available but each section describes the aircraft's basic development production decision dates program changes test results procurement methods and the like. Technical data and operational characteristics also are provided. Volume II: This reference volume compiles basic information on all Air Force strategic tactical and experimental bombers developed or produced between World War II and 1973. The book begins with the Convair B-36 Peacemaker the first long-range strategic atomic carrier and closes with the development of the Rockwell International B-l A. The main narrative covers eight bomber types most of which weathered some 30 years of world crises and two warsthe conflicts in Korea and Southeast Asia. Included is the premier B-52 Stratofortress due to remain a prime asset of the Strategic Air Command through the 1980s. The volume's first appendix considers the Douglas B-26 Invader and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress aircraft of World War II vintage which made important contributions in subsequent years. Appendix II Experimental and Prototype Bombers deals with 10 aircraft including the controversial Northrop XB-35 and YB-49; the ill-fated North American XB-70A; and the Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft (AMSA) redesignated as the B-l A in April 1969. The origin of each bomber is traced as well as whenever applicable its most significant development production and operational problems. Also noted are production decision dates program changes test results procurement methods production totals delivery rates prominent milestones and brief descriptions of special features of new aircraft versions and configurations. Selected technical data and operational characteristics are provided at the end of each section. This volume follows the pattern established in Post-World War II Fighters 1945-1973 Vol I Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems (Office of Air Force History 1978). Like the first encyclopedia the bomber volume does not provide complete consistency of data. This is particularly understandable in the bombers' case because every program was highly individual and far more complex than the fighter programs. Nevertheless as the specific bomber programs evolved their respective raison d'etre and the planned interlacing of the various programs became obvious.
language: English
title: Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems, Volume I and II: Fighter Aircraft 1945-1973 and Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973 - Illustrated Milestones, Technical Data, F-80 to B-52
publisher: Progressive Management