Overview

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.

Full Product Details

9781580071253

Table of Contents

Reviews

Product mention.--Finescale Modeler (01/01/2009) This is a fascinating book as it describes the efforts that were being put forth in the new designs, the way such projects were handled during the war, and the resulting design improvements that eventually led to features incorporated into later designs. -Books-On-Line, reviewed Feb. 2009-- (02/01/2009) Another highly informative title that is packed to overflowing with the type of techincal photographs and diagrams that modelers love. -Model Airplane International, June 2009--Model Airplane International (UK) (06/01/2009) This is the definitive book about the three aircraft, written in a readable, agreeable style that demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject. Specialty Press has once again provided the public with a superb product that fills a void. -- (09/01/2009) In conclusion, I am very impressed with this book. The wealth of rare photos and drawings alone are worth having a copy. I would definitely recommend this book to both aircraft historians as well as model builders. -Internet Modeler, reviewed by Gerry Nilles, December 2008-- (12/01/2008) As you might guess, Specialty Press has another winner in this one. We are indeed fortunate that this publisher can be counted upon to produce high quality books time and time again. This one is no exception and is not only an excellent research tool for the modeler and enthusiast, but a great read as well. Highly recommended. -Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, December 2008-- (12/01/2008) Aviation history buffs will revel in the history and development of these specialized aircraft. Scale modelers, especially those interested in experimental pre-production aircraft, will love the beautifully presented detail. This book has my highest recommendation. -IPMS, reviewed by Keith Pruitt, January 2009-- (01/01/2009) Specialty Press is forging a deservedly brilliant reputation for unearthing aviation exotica with gems like these. Treat yourself to loads of fascinating, futuristic fun and buy this captivating book. Rabidly recommended. -Model Aircraft Monthly, reviewed by David Veres, January 2009-- (01/01/2009) Product mention.--SciTech Book News (02/01/2009) This title, like others from Specialty Press, is impressive and thorough with many never before published pictures of XP54, 55, and 56 designs. I found this an engrossing title and one I recommend for anyone with an interest in WWII aviation and aviation technology in general. -Hyperscale, reviewed by Al Bowie, June 2009-- (06/01/2009) The book is very well written, and contains many interesting pictures and drawings that are presented for the first time. We enjoyed the book, and highly recommend it to our members. -AAHS Flightline Newsletter, reviewed by Paul Butler, 3rd Quarter 2009-- (08/01/2009)

This is the definitive book about the three aircraft, written in a readable, agreeable style that demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject. Specialty Press has once again provided the public with a superb product that fills a void. --Walter J. Boyne Aviation History (09/01/2009)

-This is the definitive book about the three aircraft, written in a readable, agreeable style that demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject. Specialty Press has once again provided the public with a superb product that fills a void.---Walter J. Boyne-Aviation History- (09/01/2009)

In conclusion, I am very impressed with this book. The wealth of rare photos and drawings alone are worth having a copy. I would definitely recommend this book to both aircraft historians as well as model builders. -Internet Modeler, reviewed by Gerry Nilles, December 2008-- (12/01/2008) Product mention.--Finescale Modeler (01/01/2009) As you might guess, Specialty Press has another winner in this one. We are indeed fortunate that this publisher can be counted upon to produce high quality books time and time again. This one is no exception and is not only an excellent research tool for the modeler and enthusiast, but a great read as well. Highly recommended. -Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, December 2008-- (12/01/2008) Aviation history buffs will revel in the history and development of these specialized aircraft. Scale modelers, especially those interested in experimental pre-production aircraft, will love the beautifully presented detail. This book has my highest recommendation. -IPMS, reviewed by Keith Pruitt, January 2009-- (01/01/2009) Specialty Press is forging a deservedly brilliant reputation for unearthing aviation exotica with gems like these. Treat yourself to loads of fascinating, futuristic fun and buy this captivating book. Rabidly recommended. -Model Aircraft Monthly, reviewed by David Veres, January 2009-- (01/01/2009) Product mention.--SciTech Book News (02/01/2009) This is the definitive book about the three aircraft, written in a readable, agreeable style that demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject. Specialty Press has once again provided the public with a superb product that fills a void. -- (09/01/2009) This is a fascinating book as it describes the efforts that were being put forth in the new designs, the way such projects were handled during the war, and the resulting design improvements that eventually led to features incorporated into later designs. -Books-On-Line, reviewed Feb. 2009-- (02/01/2009) Another highly informative title that is packed to overflowing with the type of techincal photographs and diagrams that modelers love. -Model Airplane International, June 2009--Model Airplane International (UK) (06/01/2009) This title, like others from Specialty Press, is impressive and thorough with many never before published pictures of XP54, 55, and 56 designs. I found this an engrossing title and one I recommend for anyone with an interest in WWII aviation and aviation technology in general. -Hyperscale, reviewed by Al Bowie, June 2009-- (06/01/2009) The book is very well written, and contains many interesting pictures and drawings that are presented for the first time. We enjoyed the book, and highly recommend it to our members. -AAHS Flightline Newsletter, reviewed by Paul Butler, 3rd Quarter 2009-- (08/01/2009)

This is the definitive book about the three aircraft, written in a readable, agreeable style that demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject. Specialty Press has once again provided the public with a superb product that fills a void. --Walter J. Boyne Aviation History (09/01/2009) -This is the definitive book about the three aircraft, written in a readable, agreeable style that demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject. Specialty Press has once again provided the public with a superb product that fills a void.---Walter J. Boyne-Aviation History- (09/01/2009)

This is the definitive book about the three aircraft, written in a readable, agreeable style that demonstrates the author's mastery of the subject. Specialty Press has once again provided the public with a superb product that fills a void. -- (09/01/2009) Aviation history buffs will revel in the history and development of these specialized aircraft. Scale modelers, especially those interested in experimental pre-production aircraft, will love the beautifully presented detail. This book has my highest recommendation. -- (01/01/2009) Another highly informative title that is packed to overflowing with the type of techincal photographs and diagrams that modelers love. --Model Airplane International (UK) (06/01/2009) In conclusion, I am very impressed with this book. The wealth of rare photos and drawings alone are worth having a copy. I would definitely recommend this book to both aircraft historians as well as model builders. -- (12/01/2008) As you might guess, Specialty Press has another winner in this one. We are indeed fortunate that this publisher can be counted upon to produce high quality books time and time again. This one is no exception and is not only an excellent research tool for the modeler and enthusiast, but a great read as well. Highly recommended. -- (12/01/2008) Specialty Press is forging a deservedly brilliant reputation for unearthing aviation exotica with gems like these. Treat yourself to loads of fascinating, futuristic fun and buy this captivating book. Rabidly recommended. -- (01/01/2009) This is a fascinating book as it describes the efforts that were being put forth in the new designs, the way such projects were handled during the war, and the resulting design improvements that eventually led to features incorporated into later designs. --Books-On-Line (02/01/2009) This title, like others from Specialty Press, is impressive and thorough with many never before published pictures of XP54, 55, and 56 designs. I found this an engrossing title and one I recommend for anyone with an interest in WWII aviation and aviation technology in general. -- (06/01/2009) The book is very well written, and contains many interesting pictures and drawings that are presented for the first time. We enjoyed the book, and highly recommend it to our members. -- (08/01/2009)

Author Information

Gerald Gerry Blazer is a retired aeronautical engineer. Born in Wisconsin, he sparked a life-long interest in old airplanes at age 10 by building a flying model of the Curtiss Robin. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and later served in the Army Air Force Training Command at Williams Field, Arizona. Upon leaving the service in August 1946, he decided to pursue aeronautical engineering, later receiving a bachelor of science degree in that field from Northrop University. He went to work at Northrop in February 1950. Later he moved to McDonnell in St. Louis, where he worked on the F-4 and F-15 programs; he finished his career at TRW in Redondo Beach, California. During his career he had the good fortune of working on the F-89, Snark missile, T-38, F-5, F-4, F-15, and the DSP program at TRW.

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