Craig Kaston

I was highly impressed with the coverage that the author provided in the first half of their coverage of American military airlift and transport aircraft and this volume is just as impressive, though it might be argued that the first book worked a bit better as a narrative history. In comparison, this installment covers a dizzying array of concepts, not just tactical and strategic transports. Included are VTOL and VSTOL aircraft, ultra-large lifters, transports for the aircraft-carrier support role, and the shadowy world of stealthy front-line support transport. If there is a constant it's that the highly specialized requirements of the U.S. military come at a high price, and that many viable support aircraft have been aborted by the crushing costs of the cutting-edge combat machines. About the only thing one might have wanted more of is a bit more coverage of the Boeing KC-46 debacle.… (meer)

Very Detailed for Size and Scope
To get the most out of this volume you will need to browse it repeatedly.
The earliest chapters layout the beginnings of airlift including a significant amount of text devoted to the combat gliders and their replacements. This includes covering the Stoukoff, Chase, Fairchild story of the CG-122 through YC-134. Other little fun tidbits included a small paragraph on the Thieblot TA-13 and the Fairchild M-258 (A variant of the Fokker F.27).
Almost every aircraft receives similar high-quality coverage of striking depth for such a diverse book. although coming from a “different pot of money” this also includes the development of SAC’s tanker fleet also gets 34 pages of coverage including illustrations of some very elegant but none practical design exercises.
While the in-service aircraft themselves do not receive extensive coverage, if you have any interest in the current or past airlift inventory of the USAF over the last 50 years this book becomes a must buy as it covers the evolution of the tactical airlift culminating in the service debut of the modern USAF cargo/tanker aircraft leading to the aircraft that are in service today.
Also included throughout the volume are some original manufacturers color brochure paintings. They make for some very nice eye candy. Their inclusion here is a nice addition.
Overall, in terms of USAF cargo/airlift/tankers there is nothing to criticize about this book. The bibliography is extensive and probably around 40-50% original archival research containing new source material.
If you’re looking for modeling references or development of US Navy Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) airlifters, look elsewhere. There are not enough details for modelers and the authors completely neglected the TBM-3R and TF-1/C-1 COD.
Recommended without reservation for anyone interested in cargo aircraft, USAF cargo and tanker aircraft.… (meer)