The latest in Specialty Press' series of photo scrapbooks is this title on USAF Prototype Jet Fighters. Of course, the book starts earlier than 1947 and includes many of the WWII prototypes, devoting areas on the XP-54,55,56,67,79 and others before delving into the types that were purely USAF-specific.

Each aircraft has at least two facing pages of photos, with some getting a few more just due to the sheer number of variants. Like the turbo-prop driven XF-84H and the F-16, for example. Each aircraft is presented in numerical order with the images presented strictly representing the prototypes and other interesting variations on the theme. I did notice one, perhaps two omissions in this order. One is that there is no coverage of the XF-87 'Blackhawk'. Surely a slip. The F-106 is also not provided its own space, though there is a photo of it in with the F-102 section as it was originally designated 'F-102B'.

All of the photos chosen for this work are superbly done and properly crisp and clear. Also as part of the compilation, missiles that were part of the numbering sequence, like the F-99 Bomarc are included.  Overall, it is an excellent book and a great value for the money. I enjoyed it and I am sure you will as well. It is one that I can easily recommend to you.

April 2009

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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