US Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects: Fighters 1939-1945: 0 - Tapa dura

"His latest book is a valuable reference for anyone interested in the challenges of wartime aircraft production."--C.V. Glines"Aviation History" (03/01/2009)

"You know, it seems like one can count on certain publishers to provide the finest coverage of a subject, and so it is with Specialty Press. An outstanding book that I know will be a major reference for both enthusiast and modeler alike. One that I can easily give my highest recommendation."-- (10/01/2008)

"This book will appeal to both the armchair enthusiast as well as the modeler. The enthusiast will enjoy reading the easy to follow text and the modeler will be impressed with the sharp, clear images of the experimental and prototype machines."-- (11/01/2008)

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book and eagerly await a companion volume on bomber designs. Highly recommended."-- (01/01/2009)

"To the interested reader, here is a wealth of information that is fascinating."--Books-On-Line (02/01/2009)

"In conclusion, from a historical aspect, I found this book very interesting. There is indeed a wealth of information in it and as such, I would definitely recommend this book to aircraft history buffs."-- (01/01/2009)

"This is a superb title backed with the type of information we all crave. If you have any interest in American fighters of 1939-1945, or you are a prototype and test aircraft fan then this one is for you."-- (04/01/2009)

America's military aircraft industry was forced to grow at an incredible pace during World War II. At the beginning of the conflict, the nation's air arms were out-matched by better-performing Axis aircraft. It was the development, often in secret, and subsequent employment of America's fighter aircraft that helped turn the tide of the war. This book focuses on those American fighter projects of WWII that never reached combat forces, or only in a very limited manner. The book illuminates little known or minimally documented aircraft and projects that significantly advanced fighter design that never went into full-rate production and deployment. The 'standard' types are also examined to illustrate the 'state-of-the-art' at the time, the American posture and capabilities, goals set by national and military leadership, and general factors affecting the course of development for classes of fighters. Hence, this work follows the overall development of American fighter aircraft, but emphasizes those little-known projects that matured to the point of significant design development such as mockups, wind-tunnel models, and especially those yielding flying prototypes. Also includes 'dead-end' variants of service types, those only exported after US evaluation, and aircraft that entered service in only small numbers before being overcome by more advanced models or the end of hostilities. The book provides photos and drawings of every American fighter of the war and many rare or never-before-published images of little-known types of projects.