Steve Pace

every X-bomber and X-fighter since 1942.

On October 2, 1942, the Bell XP-59 Airacomet soared up and away from present-day Edwards AFB, launching the US Army Air Forces into the Jet Age. In the several decades since, hundreds of new variations of experimental and test turbojet-powered bombers and fighters--X-bombers and X-fighters--have taken explosive flight. These aircraft blazed a trail leading to today's B-2 Stealth Bomber and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The Big Book of X-Bombers & X-Fighters showcases all of the USAF jet-powered X-bombers and X-fighters that have flown since 1942--more than 90 in all, including the alphabet soup of their variants. From experimental to prototype service bombers and fighters--from the XB-43 to the B-2A and the .… (meer)

Extraordinarily Well Rounded For An Early Air Force Legends

First, the one disappointment was a lack of in-flight photographs of the XF-88B with the turboprop running.

However, Mr. Pace did include an engineering paper written by the design team for public presentation as a "lessons learned" which included areas on afterburner development (At time when engine manufacturers left that up to the airframe designers.), the structural problems from underestimating weight, and swept wings with drop tanks being a bad idea.
Also included were brief reviews of the XF-88 competitors the Lockheed XF-90 and North American XF-93, so overall the reader is perhaps unintentionally gifted with some fairly decent literature and insight into the problems of designing long range jets between 1945 and 1950. The monograph follows the normal Ginter layout with good cockpit illustrations, drawings, etc. Compared to some other Air Force Legends volumes there is a dearth of structural detail illustrations, but in my opinion is made up for by the quality of the illustrations that were used. Beware there is a minor error on page 28 with the profile title misidentifying the engine.

While modelers may only get some limited value, this monograph is well illustrated and recommended for anyone with an interest in early USAF jets.… (meer)

Overlooked and almost forgotten

Okay, typically you will see me rate Ginter publications at 4-5 stars. These volumes tend to require some additional documentation/books to round-out a basic library on any particular airframe. In this case, I would also recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Flame-Powered-Airacomet-Electric-I-/dp/B000XYX0T6/ref=sr_1...
The combination of the two volumes will provide a reasonable technical and historical overview of the P-59.
This volume in of itself provides a very nice technical illustration of the aircraft. Mr. Pace has produced a volume that would rival the best of the Air Power and Wings magazine articles from the mid-70's. No mean feat giving the size/price constraints of this volume. Companion volumes on the XP-77 and XP-83 would be welcome.… (meer)