AMERICAN AEROSPACE ARCHIVE A Journal of Aerospace History

In this issue, we examine proposals submitted to the Army Air Force heavy bombardment competition of 1946, which ultimately yielded the legendary Boeing B-52. Though Boeing won the initial competition, it struggled to keep the contract as changing Air Force requirements and rival companies put intense pressure on the program. One of its most aggressive competitors was Douglas Aircraft, which submitted scores of strategic bomber studies from 1947-50 in an effort to reopen the contract to competition. The magazine covers the following studies:

• Boeing Model 462 (the winner – 3 variants)
• Convair Long Range Heavy Bombardment Airplane (forward swept wing bomber depicted on cover)
• Martin Model 216 (“flying aircraft carrier” – 2 variants)
• Martin Model 232 (description only)
• Douglas Very Long Range Bomber C (VLRB-C – 2 variants)
• Douglas Model 1112 (heavy bomber derivative of XB-42 – 3 variants)
• Douglas Model 1155 (interim jet bomber derived from DC-6 – 2 variants)
• Douglas Model 1211 (giant swept wing turboprop bomber – 40 variants)
• Bonus drawings of Douglas X-3 Stiletto photo reconnaissance aircraft mounted under a B-36 and Douglas impressions of the Boeing B-52 (2 variants)

Notable Model 1211 configurations include the Model 1211-J “mother ship,” which was designed to carry photo reconnaissance versions of the Douglas X-3 Stiletto and the XF4D-1 Skyray; the Model 1211-J missile carrier, which featured a giant air-to-surface missile mounted on top of the fuselage (possibly an early version of the NAA Navaho); and the Model 1211T-55, a truly giant aircraft with a span of 262′ and a length of 207′ 2″. This 60 page magazine features 77 illustrations, photos and artist’s impressions, the majority published here for the first time.  It is printed in full color on high quality 80 lb semi-gloss paper with saddle-stitched covers.  Click on the image above for a full preview of the magazine at MagCloud, the printer and distributor of the American Aerospace Archive.  Also see the 7 page high resolution excerpt at Scribd.  Click the Reviews tab to read what other people are saying about this magazine.

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Posted under 1940s, 1950s, Boeing, Bombers, Cold War, Consolidated-Vultee (Convair), Douglas, Forward Swept Wing (FSW), Martin, Mixed-Powered Aircraft, Projects & Studies, Turboprop, USAF, Uncategorized

Besides editing the American Aerospace Archive, author Jared Zichek has written the definitive study of the innovative yet unsuccessful Boeing XF8B-1 “Five-in-One” naval fighter of World War II.  This enormous aircraft was the last piston engine fighter built by Boeing and very nearly the last fighter built by the company until its merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Conceived in 1943, the XF8B-1 was unusual for a naval fighter in having an internal bomb bay, tremendous range, and counter-rotating propellers, the latter necessitated by its huge Pratt & Whitney R-4360 “Wasp Major” engine, a 28-cylinder air-cooled radial that produced a staggering 3,500 hp. An exhaustive account based on extensive research at the National Archives and Boeing Historical Archive, this book contains an authoritative text along with over 700 color and black white images comprised of photos, general arrangement drawings, color profiles, artist’s impressions, and extensive extracts from the pilot’s and maintenance manuals.   It is likely the most thorough look at a World War II-era experimental US aircraft ever assembled, a worthy tribute to a fascinating but ultimately flawed aircraft.

Published by Schiffer, this 11” x 8 ½” hardcover book comes with a dust jacket and features 376 copiously illustrated pages printed on semi-gloss paper stock.  This magnificent tribute to the “Five-in-One Fighter” may be purchased through Amazon.com by clicking on the cover image above. Click the Reviews tab to see what other people are saying about this book. For a complete preview of the book, please click through the low resolution slide show below.

Posted under 1940s, Boeing, Fighters, Military, Pacific War, Projects & Studies, Prototypes, Torpedo Bombers, USN, WW II