B-17 Bomber Pilot's Flight Operating Manual


Book Description

The Boeing B-17 was the first mass-produced, four-engine heavy bomber. Used throughout World War II for strategic bombing, the plane earned a reputation for its toughness and versatility. Carrying a crew of ten, and 8,000 pounds of bombs on long range missions, the '17 wreaked havoc on Germany during the critical years 1942-45. The ""Memphis Belle,"" the first B-17 to fly 25 missions over Europe, is perhaps the most famous plane to emerge from the European Theatre. Originally printed by the United States Army Air Force in December of 1942, the B-17 Bomber Pilot's Flight Operating Manual taught pilots everything they needed to know about the "Queen of the Skies." Originally classified "Restricted," the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted, and color images appear as black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.




P-47 Thunderbolt Pilot's Flight Operating Manual


Book Description

Known as the "Jug" because of its fuselage shape, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt flew in every theatre of WWII except Alaska. Nearly 13,000 were built by war's end. The large aircraft carrier eight Browning machine guns and up to 2,000 lbs. of bombs or rockets, and proved an effective fighter and bomber. The radial Pratt and Whitney powerplant put out over 2500 h.p. and propelled the P-47 at a maximum speed of 426 mph at 30,000 feet. Originally published by the U.S. Army Air Force, this handbook taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. This affordable facsimile of a real WWII manual has been reformatted. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.




Douglas A-20 Havoc Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions


Book Description

Designed by Douglas Aviation engineer Ed Heinemann, the A-20 Havoc and its variants served in the U.S. Army Air Force and those of several allies. The plane was configured for attack, night fighter, and bomber roles, and nearly 7,500 were built from 1939 through 1944. The first order for the Havoc came from the French, who extensively tested the prototype aircraft after the USAAF failed to place an order. The French insisted on modifications that included new 1000 hp Pratt & Whitney engines (later upgraded to 1100 hp) and a narrower fuselage. The improved A-20¿s speed and handling compared favorably to a fighter aircraft. Little wonder it became one of the most extensively-built light bombers of WWII. Originally printed by the U.S. Army Air Force and Douglas, this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of this warbird. Originally classified ¿Restricted¿, the manual was declassified and is here reprinted in book form.




Northrop X-4 Bantam Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions


Book Description

Designed without horizontal stabilizers, the X-4 Bantam had a semi-tailless design that bore some resemblance to Germany¿s Me-163 rocket plane. The small, twin-jet craft relied on combined elevator and aileron surfaces ¿ known as elevons ¿ for pitch and roll control. The role of the X-4 was to explore the transonic speed zone, and to determine whether the design would lessen the stability and control problems affiliated with compressibility. Although two Bantams were built, only one proved mechanically sound. The second was flown over eighty times by Northrop, Air Force and NACA pilots. They learned that the X-4 was sensitive in pitch, and showed a tendency to ¿hunt¿ about all three axes as it approached Mach 1.0. Thus, the X-4¿s design proved a failure. Originally printed by Northrop, NACA and the USAF, this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of this experimental plane. The manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form.




Regulus Missile Service and Launching Instructions


Book Description

The Regulus missile was a direct outgrowth of World War II. The success of Germany¿s V-1 ¿buzz bombs¿ and the awesome power of the a-bomb suggested that developing a submarine-launched, nuclear-armed guided missile was an imperitive. The Chance-Vought Aircraft Company won the contract for Regulus with a bold proposal. Their missile resembled a pilotless jet aircraft, and during the test phase was equipped with landing gear, allowing the missile to be recovered rather than expended during the tests. Regulus would be radio controlled, either by a chase aircraft or by a nearby ship or submarine, and it could carry a nuclear payload. JATO boosters enabled submarine launch of the Regulus. It would be deployed aboard five submarines. They conducted the nation¿s first nuclear deterrent patrols off the coast of the Soviet Union in 1959-1964. Originally printed by the U.S. Navy and Chance-Vought, this handbook was ¿restricted¿. It was declassified and is here reprinted in book form.







The Fleet Type Submarine Main Propulsion Diesels Manual


Book Description

Originally printed in 1946, The Fleet Type Submarine series of technical manuals remains unparalleled. Contained in its pages are descriptions of every operating component aboard a fleet boat. Main Propulsion Diesels examines the submarine¿s power plant in detail, from starting and control systems to fuel and exhaust, and cooling and lubrication systems. Originally classified ¿Restricted¿, this book was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form. Some illustrations have been slightly reformatted, and color plates are reproduced in black and white. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.




Locomotive Building


Book Description

Originally created in 1911, Locomotive Building is the definitive text concerning the construction of steam engines for railroad use. Chapters include descriptions of all locomotive systems and their functions, including side rods, boiler, wheels, axle and diving boxes, frames and cylinders, valve motion, shop practice and more. Profusely illustrated with diagrams and rare photos, this reprint has been slightly reformatted. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.




Submarine Air Systems


Book Description

Originally printed in 1946, The Fleet Type Submarine series of technical manuals remains unparalleled. Contained in its pages and those of the companion texts are descriptions of every operating component aboard a fleet boat. Air Systems, Navpers 16164, was originally written to acquaint submarine crews with the submarine¿s compressed air system. This vital system provides the hydraulic system with pressure, discharges torpedoes, blows tanks and maintains trim, and even provides the oxygen used to start the main diesel engines. The book explores all five air systems on a fleet boat. It offers explanatory text and numerous, detailed diagrams.Originally classified ¿Restricted¿, this book was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form. Some illustrations and fold-outs have been reformatted, and color plates are reproduced in black and white. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.




The Silent Service in World War II


Book Description

Originally published by the U.S. Navy in 1946, The Fleet Type Submarine uses the USS Perch SS313 to explain operating principles, technologies, and systems. It contains numerous diagrams and photos and offers definitions of components and terminology. It provides descriptions of various systems such as ballast tanks, trim, ventilation and steering. It also contains a brief history of the submarine and a discussion of patrol routines. This is the most complete technical guide to the boats that won WWII in the Pacific. Nothing close to it was ever assembled before, or since. Periscopefilm.com's affordable reprint comes in a soft bound edition with attractive covers. Although some of the book has been reformatted, and color images are reproduced in black and white, all of the original content is preserved. (A color supplement is also available). This is a must-have for anyone interested in submarines and an important reference for any historian, docent, or modeler.