Midland's Secret Projects books are always a lot of fun to read and provide some interesting insights into some of the more well known projects as well as all those neat 'what could have been' aircraft and systems. Much of those not brought to fruition were due to technology not being able to keep up with the science that would have made these projects viable.

Though many do not consider pre-WWII to have anything to do with space technology, it was during this time that embryonic technology was being developed that would eventually lead to plans for operation in earth orbit or near orbit. Without engines, a spacecraft will not fly and it is in this area that the earliest pioneers from Goddard to von Opel did their research. The development of the V-2 was a huge leap and post war, all of the conquering Allies tried to grab as many of these vehicles and the men who designed them as they could. Even during the war there were plans by the Germans to develop high altitude space planes.

Author Rose covers all known projects by the US, Great Britain and the Soviet Union/Russia in surprising detail that shows where were started and what is in the plans even today. The hoped for US space plane and Venture Star, projects whose budget out-did their ability to get a craft in the air are also covered. It is too bad that governments will fund wars to the tune of tens or hundreds of billions of dollars but won't spend a tiny fraction of that on space technology. There is a full chapter on the Aurora that I found immensely interesting and I'm sure you will as well. A section on nuclear propulsion is equally as informative and the book concludes with the efforts to send men to the moon and the hoped for military uses of being able to place a base there.

An outstanding read and one that I know you will find as interesting, informative and entertaining as did I.

September 2008

Review book courtesy of Specialty Press, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at 1-800-895-4585

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