AMERICAN AEROSPACE ARCHIVE A Journal of Aerospace History

This issue focuses on little-known aspects of McDonnell naval fighter development in the early Cold War period, with special emphasis on the development of the F3H Demon.  The magazine covers the following subjects:

• Model 40/40A (1945 day fighter proposal—5 images)
• XF2H-2/-3/-4 Swept-Wing Banshee (9 images)
• Model 58 (original proposal for the F3H Demon—20 images)
• Model 60 (delta wing alternative to the Model 58—9 images, including specially created color artwork for the covers)
• Model 58 wind tunnel tests of alternate nose cones (1 image)
• XF3H-1 Mock-up Inspection (summary)
• F3H-1 Mock-up Inspection (summary with 51 detailed close-up photos)
• F3H-1P Mock-up Inspection (summary)
• Model 58AD (F3H-2 with 30″ Diameter Radar Antenna—1 image)

This 60 page magazine features 97 images, including contemporary 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 8 page high resolution excerpt at Scribd.  Click the Reviews tab to read what other people are saying about this magazine.

US, UK, and Canadian customers should order the magazine directly through MagCloud. Customers outside of these countries may order the magazine by clicking the “add to cart” button below; checkout is through PayPal.

Posted under 1940s, 1950s, Carrier Aviation, Cold War, Fighters, Interceptors, McDonnell, Military, Projects & Studies, Prototypes, USN

In his second book, Jared Zichek presents the comprehensive story of some of the most radical attack aircraft ever designed to operate from an aircraft carrier. These incredible projects were developed in 1948 to equip the USS United States, an immense 65,000-ton supercarrier that was to have been the core of the Navy’s nascent strategic nuclear bombardment capability. The ship was a substantial departure from traditional carrier design, with a fully retractable bridge that permitted the operation of aircraft of unprecedented size and weight. Two classes of attack aircraft were to have equipped this mighty ship: the Class VA, Heavy Attack and Class VA, Long Range Special Attack. Legendary aerospace companies such as Convair, Curtiss-Wright, Douglas, Fairchild, Lockheed, Martin, North American, Northrop, and Republic would each submit proposals to the competitions. Recently declassified, details of these fascinating projects are presented here for the first time.

Varying widely in appearance, these studies ranged from Douglas’s relatively small and modern Model 593 to their unconventional Model 1186 series, which was inspired by the X-3 Stiletto and featured a small parasite aircraft mounted atop a gigantic missile. They are representative of a postwar aerospace engineering revolution that produced great advances in high speed aircraft design, jet engine development, and offensive nuclear capability. Unfortunately for the Navy, the USS United States and its aircraft complement were abruptly cancelled on April 23, 1949 at the behest of the Air Force, sparking the infamous “Revolt of the Admirals.” Only one of the aircraft proposals would survive the cancellation and reach production; while smaller and less capable than its competitors, it would go on to have a long and distinguished career in the Navy. Featuring an authoritative text and hundreds of previously unpublished illustrations and photos, this book belongs in the library of any serious student of naval aviation and Cold War history.

Published by Schiffer, this 11” x 8 ½” landscape hardcover book comes with a dust jacket and features 232 copiously illustrated pages printed on semi-gloss paper stock with a sewn binding. This tribute to innovative Cold War US naval aircraft design 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, 1950s, Attack Aircraft, Boeing, Bombers, Carrier Aviation, Cold War, Consolidated-Vultee (Convair), Curtiss-Wright, Douglas, Fairchild, Flying Boats, Interceptors, Lockheed, Martin, Military, North American Aviation, Northrop, Projects & Studies, Republic, Turboprop, USN

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