The years 1952 to 1962 saw a huge step forward for commercial aviation. During those years, there was the transition from reciprocating engine powered airliners to jet and turboprop airliners. The result of this move was that more people flew in aircraft that got you there quicker and with greater comfort. Gone was the constant drone of reciprocating engines, replaced by the quiet sound of wind rushing past the airframe or no outside sound at all. Even better, these new planes were able to fly high above the weather, thanks to pressurized cabins and a bevy of other improvements in aircraft safety and navigation.

Many of you may well remember visiting your city's airport and being able to go above the arrival and departure gates to watch the airliners. At Lambert Field in St. Louis, they not only had this feature, but also provided telescopic binoculars so you could follow a plane as it taxied past and as eventually took off. Back then, there was not a long line of planes awaiting take off. However, with the pluses of jet operations came the minuses for enthusiasts as these venues were soon shut down due to the 'problems' with jet blast (funny, but prop blast didn't seem to be an issue).

In this new book, our three authors take a look at airline travel and the various aircraft that came and left the airline fleets during that time. There are the Douglas DC-4/6/7 line as well as Convair 240/440s, Boeing Stratocruisers, and the elegant Constellations. Then the move to turbo props with the Viscount and Electra before concentrating on the pure turbines.

Of course, this means the revolutionary Comet along with the Boeing 707, Convair 880 and 990 as well as the Douglas DC-8. Each type is discussed and whatever improvements it brought to air travel is inspected. There are even sections on what might have been including the world beater Avroliner, a Canadian jet that could well have brought North America to the forefront of jet travel years ahead of the 707.

There are more types in the book than those mentioned, and I'm sure you will recognize them. All of this is superbly illustrated with both black and white as well as color photos. A number of artist Mike Machat's superb airliner illustrations are also included in the book.

Once again, Specialty Press has provided us with a well written, well researched, and interesting book. This is one that is a must have for the airliner fan. The rest of us will find it to be a superb read and as such, this one is most highly recommended.

June 2010

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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