Over the course of the Cold War (which is generally dated from 1947 until 1991), there were a number of very promising military aircraft projects, which for various reasons, were cancelled either prior to first flight or after testing had gotten underway. There are a myriad of reasons for these programs going by the wayside. Judging from how the author feels about it, the vast majority were cancelled due to political stupidity, incompetence, lack of understanding of what was being developed, lack of foresight or all of the above. A couple were put to pasture due to the military brass.

Aviation enthusiasts are just as apt to believe in conspiracy theories as others and some of these have been debated almost ad nauseum over the years. Frequently, some of these are seen as the final straw that broke the back of the nation's aviation industry. Most of these cancellations caused disbelief and many of them could easily have proven to be superior to what was available at the time and could easily have lasted for decades with upgrades. But that is very much in the past and we can only look to what might have been. One of these was able to rise from the ashes as I'll let you guess as to which one that was for now.

Author Erik Simonsen is also an artist and there are many, many illustration of what could have been. I found them to be quite well done and this adds interest to a book whose individual stories have been told before, just not all in one place.

Each aircraft is provided with a goodly history of its development and why it was cancelled. In each aircraft section are often bits on other similar planes who met a similar fate as well as the planes that each one may have replaced. As an example on the F-108 Rapier, which graces the cover, there is information on the XF-103 Thunderwarrior. 

So here, in timeline order, are the aircraft that are covered. B-35/49, CF-105, F-108, X-20, F-12B, TSR.2, B-70, B-1A, FV-12 and the F-20. Each section is very nicely illustrated with not only image of the aircraft themselves, but also a goodly number of 'whiffer' images by the author. I am pretty sure that most readers will agree with his findings on why the projects were cancelled, though I have to say that it is rather easy to judge by hindsight. During the times in question, those who brought down the axe (and a goodly number were done by a person named McNamara) felt they had good, justifying reasons to do so.

It makes for a most interesting read on subjects that still spark debate today. It is a book I thoroughly enjoyed read and one that I can highly recommend to you.

March 2013

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