Douglas R4D-8/C-117D Super Gooney


Book Description

This aircraft was used as a transport, VIP carrier, station hack, a trainer with VT-29, and its usage in Antarctica with VX-6 from 1952 into the 1980s. The DC-3S was a Douglas venture to add capability and life to the post-war fleet of surplus DC-3s, C-47s and R4Ds. It was an remanufactured aircraft with a stretched fuselage, new taller and wider tail group, new square tip outer wings, larger engines and fully enclosed main gear housings. It did not find favor with the airlines which instead turned to Convairs and Martins, but found a home in the Navy and Marines. 96 aircraft were eventually re-manufactured as R4D-8s and 4 as R4D-8Zs.




Arizona Warplanes


Book Description

This aviation handbook is designed to be used as a quick reference to the classic military heritage aircraft that have been restored and preserved in the state of Arizona. The aircraft include those fl own by members of the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, the Air and Army National Guard, and by various NATO and allied nations as well as a number previously operated by opposition forces in peace and war. The interested reader will find useful information and a few technical details on most of the military aircraft that have been in service with active flying squadrons both at home and overseas. 100 selected photographs have been included to illustrate a few of the major examples in addition to the serial numbers assigned to American military aircraft . For those who like to actually see the aircraft concerned, aviation museum locations, addresses and contact phone numbers have been included, along with a list of aircraft held in each museums current inventory or on display as gate guardians throughout the State of Arizona. The aircraft presented in this edition are listed alphabetically by manufacturer, number and type. Although many of Arizonas heritage warplanes have completely disappeared, a few have been carefully collected, restored and preserved, and some have even been restored to flying condition. This guide-book should help you to find and view Arizonas Warplane survivors.




The Legendary Douglas DC-3


Book Description

Following on from the epoch-making DC-2 technology, the DC-3 is generally considered the greatest single commercial transport plane in history, and certainly the most famous. Indeed, the DC-3 revolutionized air travel to an extent not equaled until the arrival of the jet age. Many of these revolutions related to safety; thanks to the DC-3’s reputation for reliability, in 1937 air travel insurance finally became available to the general public. This is the airliner that not only made flying respectable but enabled the emerging aviation industry to end its reliance on mail subsidies and profit from passenger journeys. DC-3 are still flying eight decades after their first debut, a tribute to their brilliant design, and are likely to continue flying well into the 21st century. '... een zeer kleurrijk boek. (...) Het boek is een prachtig eerbetoon en een mooie momentopname van wat er op dit moment op de wereld nog te zien is van dit ontwerp van voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog.' – De Vliegende Hollander




American Aircraft Development Second World War Legacy


Book Description

This volume focuses on the influence of America’s Second World War aviation development and experience, subsequent aviation technological advances, and world events, in shaping American choices in military aircraft and associated weapons’ development during the few years following the war. It shows how air warfare weapons from the last conflict were carried forward and altered, how new systems evolved from these, and how the choices fared in the next war―Korea. The period was one of remarkable progress in a short span of time via a great many aircraft and weapons programs, and associated technological progress. These systems were of immense importance influencing and growing the engineering, production, and operational capabilities to be exploited for the next generation of weapons that soon followed. Emphasized is the innovative features or new technology and how these contributed to advancing American military aviation, influencing the evolution of follow-on models or types. Included are military prototype, experimental, and research aircraft that are equally important in understanding the history of American aircraft development. Combat employment, progress, and equipment adaptation during the Korean Conflict is then highlighted. Tabulated characteristics are provided of those aircraft that entered production or represented significant technological advances influencing others that follow.




Arizona Warbird Survivors 2002


Book Description

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of Arizona. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Arizona’s dry climate and excellent storage facilities, as well as its clear air and wide open spaces in the Southwest (some might say “Old West”) area of the continental USA, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based or stored there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of Arizona aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over Arizona, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards; museum exhibits, or as they stand mothballed in the “Boneyard.” This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these aircraft can be found. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.




The Smell of Kerosene


Book Description

This book puts the reader in the pilot's seat for a "day at the office" unlike any other. The Smell of Kerosene tells the dramatic story of a NASA research pilot who logged over 11,000 flight hours in more than 125 types of aircraft. Donald Mallick gives the reader fascinating first-hand description of his early naval flight training, carrier operations, and his research flying career with NASA. After transferring to the NASA Flight Research Center, Mallick became involved with projects that further pushed the boundaries of aerospace technology. These included the giant delta-winged XB-70 supersonic airplane, the wingless M2-F1 lifting body vehicle, and triple-sonic YF-12 Blackbird. Mallick also test flew the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle and helped develop techniques used in training astronauts to land on the Moon.




Naval Aviation News


Book Description




Encyclopedia of Modern U.S. Military Weapons


Book Description

An accessible encyclopedia of military weapons represents a collaboration with The Army, Navy, and Air Force Times, and covers each weapon system, its evolution, development, and combat experience.




Wingless Flight


Book Description

"Much has been written about the famous conflicts and battlegrounds of the East during the American Revolution. Perhaps less familiar, but equally important and exciting, was the war on the western frontier, where Ohio Valley settlers fought for the land they had claimed -- and for their very lives. George Rogers Clark stepped forward to organize the local militias into a united front that would defend the western frontier from Indian attacks. Clark was one of the few people who saw the importance of the West in the war effort as a whole, and he persuaded Virginia's government to lend support to his efforts. As a result Clark was able to cross the Ohio, saving that part of the frontier from further raids. Lowell Harrison captures the excitement of this vital part of American history while giving a complete view of George Rogers Clark's significant achievements. Lowell H. Harrison, is a professor emeritus of history at Western Kentucky University and is the author or co-author of numerous books, including Lincoln of Kentucky, A New History of Kentucky, and Kentucky's Governors."




The Amazing Gooney Bird


Book Description

The DC-3 is the plane that made civilian transport that made civilian transport a profitable reality, and has become a legend in its own time. It has many names and designations - Skytrain, Spooky, Puff the Magic Dragon, DC-3, C-47, R4D, Li-2 and others. But the name that most pilots know it by is the "Gooney Bird." And it has played many roles besides being an aerial workhorse to transport people and cargo. It has been a bomber, fighter, airborne communications center, amphibian, living quarters, hospital, flying washing machine, and command post. When some of the more than 10,000 built, and additional hundreds in Japan and Russia, ended their days, they have been made into a hamburger stand, tea house, mobile home, seaside cottage, an officers club and even a chicken coop. Many have been put on static display at more than 200 museums around the world. After more than sixty years, 1,000 of them are still flying the world's skies. The DC-3/C-47 has surpassed all other aircraft ever built in faithful service, dependability and achievement. This is the story of its conception, design and amazing life in war and peace. Carroll glines is also the author of The Doolittle Raid, Attack on Yamamoto, and Chennault's Forgotten Warriors: The Saga of the 308th Bomb Group in China (all available from Schiffer Publishing Ltd.).