S u m m a r y |
| Publisher and Title: |
American Aerospace Archive 5 by Jared A. Zichek
Mother Ships, Parasites & more: Selected USAF Strategic Bomber, XC Heavy Transport and FICON studies 1945 – 1954 |
| Media: |
Soft cover |
| Price: |
PDF version $16.95; printed version $49.95;
available online from American Aerospace Archive |
| Review Type: |
First Read |
| Advantages: |
Plenty of new material that hasn’t been published before; plethora of drawings, artist’s impressions and photos. |
| Disadvantages: |
|
| Conclusion: |
A comprehensive publication that continues the series of studies into the unusual concepts pondered by the US Air Force. |
Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner
HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com
One of the themes visited in Volume 3 of this series was the early post-war development of the strategic bomber.
It gets another look-in here with the release of number 5 in the collection and we also see the introduction of two new topics. These are the USAF XC Heavy Transport and Parasite/Missile Carriers as well as a selection of Fighter Conveyor (FICON) studies from the early 1950s.
The concept of parasite aircraft intrigued the Air Force at the time and this theme is seen throughout the book. It was eventually made obsolete however with the advancement of in-flight refuelling and other such things.
This is all contained in over 200 pages that reside between the A4 sized soft card covers. Inside there are a multitude of previously unpublished investigations into bomber, transport and parasite aircraft. Also featured are 258 drawings, artist impressions and photos, the latter including 27 that are in colour.
Subjects covered in the chapters are:
Bomber &Transport Studies:
- Consolidated Vultee Heavy Bombardment Airplane, Gas Turbine Propelled proposal of 1945 Douglas Models 1042, 1067 & 1274 Tailless Delta Wing Transports/Airliners
- Douglas Model 1064 Tailless Delta Wing Bombers
- Douglas Model 1211-J Megapod/Snark Missile/Convair XF-92/Douglas XF4D-1 Carrier
- Douglas Model 1211R-45 through 1211X-55 Strategic Bombers – new detailed information
- Lockheed L-191-3 “Team Bomber”
- Lockheed L-195 nuclear-powered strategic bombers
XC Heavy Transport and Parasite/Missile Carrier Studies:
- Boeing Model 497 XC Heavy Transport and Model 700-1 to -3 bomber/recon parasites
- Douglas Models 1240 XC Heavy Transport/1252 medium transport/XC-132
- Douglas Models 1251/1251-A/1256 supersonic parasite bombers
- Lockheed L-168 transport, L-208 XC Heavy Transport, and L-209-5 parasite bomber
FICON and other Parasite Aircraft studies:
- North American “Parasite Fighter” and RD-1461 medium bomber/carrier of 1947
- Douglas Model 1126 medium bomber (MX-948)/Convair B-36 Fuel Transfer Study
- Douglas Model 1219 supersonic parasite bomber
- Douglas FICON studies – B-36 carrying F-80, F-86, F-84, XF-88, XF-90, F-94, F4D, F7U, X-3 parasites
- Douglas X-3 parasite studies
This publication is printed on the same quality semi-gloss paper as previous editions.
It’s also available as a PDF digital edition. This features a special 23 page section that reproduces many of the drawings in the main body of the book in an uninterrupted landscape format. The electronic version retails at US $16.95 compared to the printed publication at US $49.95.
If you are interested in these unusual concepts that were being contemplated by the US Air Force, then this book will make a valuable addition to your library.
Review Copyright © 2011 by Rob Baumgartner
This Page Created on 11 December, 2011
Last updated
11 January, 2011
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