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.




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.







Grumman F6F Hellcat Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions


Book Description

The most successful naval fighter aircraft in history, the Grumman F6F Hellcat accounted for nearly 5200 kills during WWII. The Hellcat featured self-sealing fuel tanks, a bullet- resistant windscreen, and hydraulically-operated landing gear. The plane was rugged, and carried over 200 pounds of armor. Despite this, it was highly maneuverable and fast, thanks to a 2000 hp engine. Nearly 12,300 F6Fs were made during the war. They first saw action during the Tarawa invasion, and subsequently flew in every battle of the Pacific campaign. Hellcats accounted for nearly 75% of all aircraft kills in the Pacific. Originally created by the U.S. Navy, this flight operating manual taught pilot's everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. It's a wonderful guide to one of history's great planes. Please note, this manual has been slightly reformatted and some color diagrams appear in black and white. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.




Hawker Hurricane Pilot's Flight Operating Manual


Book Description

The Hawker Hurricane flew in the Battle of Britain against the German Luftwaffe. While Spitfires took on Nazi fighters, the Hurricanes assaulted enemy bombers. Between 8 August and 21 September 1940 Hurricanes scored 1,593 kills out of the 2,739 total claimed. The plane was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. This pilot's flight operating manual was standard issue to R.A.F. pilots during WWII. Although this manual has been slightly reformatted to 8.5x11, care has been taken to preserve the authenticity of the text. Please note: British manuals are somewhat sparse in their descriptions and photos when compared to American manuals. Please look at the book preview before purchasing.




Grumman Tbm Avenger Pilot's Flight Manual


Book Description

En instruktionsbog (Flight Manual) for TBF/TBM-3 Avenger.




Grumman F11F Tiger Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions


Book Description

As the Blue Angels¿ aircraft in the late 1950s, Grumman¿s F11F-1 Tiger came to symbolize the speed and might of U.S. Navy airpower. The Tiger was originally conceived as an upgrade of the F9F Cougar. It eventually morphed into a new design, that incorporated the area rule to enable cruising speeds up to 1.1 Mach. The prototype flew in 1954, and carrier trials commenced in 1956. Eventually seven squadrons flew F11Fs. Hampered by maintenance issues affiliated with the J65 engine, and the fact that the Vought Crusader was clearly superior, the Tiger had a short service life. It was withdrawn from carrier duty after four years, in 1961. Only 199 were built. The remaining Tigers flew in a training capacity, and the Blue Angels continued to fly them for over a decade, 1957-1969. Originally printed by the U.S. Navy, this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of the Tiger. Originally classified ¿restricted¿, the manual was declassified and is here reprinted in book form.




Gloster Meteor Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions


Book Description

Designed by Gloster's brilliant chief engineer George Carter, the Meteor was Britain's first operational jet, and the first such aircraft in Allied inventory. The Meteor was an outgrowth of intensive r&d work conducted by Frank Whittle, inventor of the turbojet in 1929. The Meteor featured an all-metal fuselage, and straight wings with mid-mounted engine pods. The F1 version could achieve a speed of 417 mph at 10,000 feet, and entered service in June 1944. During WWII, it flew primarily as an interceptor against German V-1 "buzz bombs". Australian pilots flew it in combat during the Korean War, and Israel employed it during the Suez Crisis. The Meteor, in one variant form or another, remained in active service as a recon and training aircraft into the 1970s. Originally printed by Gloster and the Royal Air Force, this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of the trainer version of the Meteor. The manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form.




U-2 Dragon Lady Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions


Book Description

Conceived during the dark days of the Cold War, the U-2 is a single-engine,single-seat, surveillance aircraft. Designed by aeronautical engineer ¿Kelly¿ Johnson, the plane was used by the C.I.A. to photograph installations deep inside Soviet Russia. Known as the ¿Dragon Lady¿, the U-2 was classified. Its existence remained a secret until 1960, when a U-2 flown by Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Soviet territory. The U-2 went on to have a long and illustrious career. Upgraded airframes remained in use five decades after it first debuted. Originally printed by Lockheed and the U.S. Air Force in the 1960s, this Flight Operating Handbook taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified ¿Restricted¿, the manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been slightly reformatted. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.