You know, it seems like one can count on certain publishers to provide the finest coverage of a subject, and so it is with Specialty Press. This latest one on US Experimental & Prototype Aircraft only goes to prove that. This book covers the myriad of project aircraft that were conceived during the war years. Many of these actually made it to the prototype stage, while others remained interesting 'what if' paper projects.

This particular book covers the fighter projects. In the years of WWII, the main focus of aircraft designers switched from internal combustion engines to turbojets. While the USAAF was all for pure jet powered aircraft, the US Navy took a more conservative approach and initially went with dual power aircraft that had a piston engine as a backup.

But even before then, there were a myriad of designs presented. Some, like the Northrop P-61, made it into production, while others, like a number of Curtiss designed aircraft, were little more than one problem after another and despite a lengthy development, were never placed into production.

As the Navy and Army had different requirements for aircraft, this book covers the development of these aircraft differently. Also, despite the title 'Fighters', there are also attack aircraft included in the book, several of which would have been excellent performers had not the war ended or the desire to switch to turbojets not happened.

All of it is within these pages. The familiar such as the P-47 and TBF, and the unusual such as the cover's XP-67, the XA-41, the XF5U-1, and the P-75A, just to name a very few of the dozens of types whose development was started, but never reached fruition.

An outstanding book that I know will be a major reference for both enthusiast and modeler alike. One that I can easily give my highest recommendation.

October 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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