American Secret Projects 2: US Airlifters 1941-1961

Over the 20-year period covered by the the authors, much of which was in wartime or the Cold War, the author have done an excellent volume, covering everything from powered-glider designs to strategic transports. The book follows the pattern of earlier Crecy publications "Secret Project" series (American, British, French, etc.). The book is therefore heavily illustrated, especially with concept and production design3-view graphics. There are nine chapters, as below: * * Eighty Years of American airlift - an over view, summary chapter covering Second World War thru Iraq and Afghanistan wars; * * Challenge of Airlifter Design; summary of the key requirements of a successful airlift, with notes on volume design, engine technology, VTOL and carrier-landing design issues; * * Airlifter Development in the Second World War; (p. 30 - 63) Very much the early heart of the book, covering historically-built designs based on commercial aircraft (CW-20, C-46, C-54, C-69, C-74, C-82, etc.) and through a range of proposed designs that never reach production - ranging from "powered"-versions of gliders to the very largest of designs based on existing B-29 Superfortress technologies (C-74) and B-36 (C-99)). * * Learning the Lessons of War, 1945-50; the first era in which designs began to emerge that were not expediency driven and based on commercial airliner designs, including the emergence of new producers (Chase, Hughes, etc.). Some became highlighted aircraft during the Vietnam War (C-123 Provider, originally a Chase design; C-119 and C-124 Globemaster). * * Development of Heavy Airlift Capability, 1950-57); emergence of new turboprop technology led to C-130 and several proposals to upgrade existing (C-124, etc.) designs from radial engines to turboprop designs, and enhanced jet power (brought forth with B-52 and Boeing 707 introduction) offered a range of new strategic designs. * * Strategic Air Command's Tanker-Transport, Transforming the future of air transportation; while the advanced turboprop's failed in several sectors, advance of Boeings 'Dash 8' prototype heralded a range of new jet designs; * * The Emergence of the Modern Airlifter, 1955 to 1960; Expansion of the commercial aircraft market in jet designs (iBoeing 707, Convair 900, C-141, etc.) brought about new designs, and advanced over first-generation turboprops emerged for the first time as economical alternatives to jet designs, bringing forth Canadair's CL-144, Douglas C-133 designs with limited production. * *. New Light Airlifters, 1956-1961; a range of light transports emerged during the late-Fifties to replace aging prop designs, many hold-overs from WW 2 aircraft in air forces worldwide, including the de Havilland of Canada DHC-4 (and later -5) Buffalo, Fairchild's turboprop update with both two and four-engines to upgrade the C-123 Provider, and the Fairchild F-27 military Model 258G/J/K versions. * * Conclusion, 1941 to 1961; a two-page summary. The author concludes: "....the true airlifted had been born and the following decade would see its capability finally realized. It would herald the arrive of giant airlifts over ten times the weight of the largest transports used in World War Two." [Onward to author's "Airlifters 1962 to the Present....]. HIGHLY recommended.

After 40 years of helping to build transport aircraft and a lifetime of collecting aviation history, I have spent a lot of time looking for a historically and technically accurate coverage of the transport aircraft that were so important to my career, Commercial transports have received good coverage but the military coverage is spotty at best. There are a few good histories that cover a few important airlifter types but many military types have been nearly ignored . This book corrects that problem. This is one of those books that when you read it, you know you will never have to buy another on the subject. Not only does it give good coverage of all types - including those with large orders and long service; it also includes the many concepts and prototypes. Just as important, the whole history of military airlifters is told in context of the times. Except, as I neared the end, I realized the book was ending before the story was done. A bit of checking revealed that this was the first of 2 volumes, so I ordered vol. 2 as soon as it was announced. I can't wait for it to arrive. In the meantime, I am keeping this book at close hand so I can re-read my favorite sections. Great job!!

Outstanding book. Very interesting and never before covered topic. Transports and airlifters are not often the focus of writers and researchers. Fighters and bombers are just more glamorous and better looking. But transports always have played a major role in airpower and its fascinating to see how many designs were never produced but which can be studied as artists conceptions, drawings, models and mockups. A few lucking designs were actually flight tested. This book is clearly very well researched from US military and aviation industry archives. Superb photos. Very nicely produced ( photos, paper quality, size, binding). I will buy more from this author and publisher. Well done! And I’m pretty picky.

Aircraft historians, modelers and fans of odd aircraft will love this book! PACKED with drawings and photos, this book tells the stories of aircraft little or completely unknown to all but the dedicated researcher. The authors are working on Volume III, so if you don't want to be out of the loop I'd get this book RIGHT NOW! This book is the second in the new series of American Secret Projects, Volume I being Fighters, Bombers and Attack Aircraft 1937-1945 by Tony Buttler and Alan Griffith. Volume II is highly and unreservedly recommended. Alan Griffith

This book provides a broad overview of an area of aircraft development that's been largely ignored by authors but has been technically and historically important. The technical depth is a little shallow, but as much information as possible is packed in given the book's scope and length. It's well illustrated with photos, original graphics and new renderings. Few readers will be even aware of most of the designs covered. Highly recommended.

A Great Volume of Dreams and Attempts to solve supply and heavy lifting for military missions. Inspired by necessities of WW II and Berlin Airlift-assisted mightily by development of planning processes and improvements in jet engines. And, printed in Bulgaria (where I live). I recommend this book!

The book deals with a suject that needed coverage and does so very well. My preference would have been if it went more into the other failed design studies, e.g. the Curtiss Sky Truck, one of Curtiss's last airplane attemptd. The Volume 1 of the series boggles the mind with all the verious studies and projects.

Detailed volume of U.S. transport aircraft. The plans and profiles of what could have been are fascinating. I have other books in this series, all are well done,this is no exception.

Cover reflects one of many unknown designs great book author went the distance in the voluminous research

The book was not as "Secretive" as I thought it would be. More failed ideas than any "Secrets" revealed.

Over the 20-year period covered by the the authors, much of which was in wartime or the Cold War, the author have done an excellent volume, covering everything from powered-glider designs to strategic transports. The book follows the pattern of earlier Crecy publications "Secret Project" series (American, British, French, etc.). The book is therefore heavily illustrated, especially with concept and production design3-view graphics. There are nine chapters, as below: * * Eighty Years of American airlift - an over view, summary chapter covering Second World War thru Iraq and Afghanistan wars; * * Challenge of Airlifter Design; summary of the key requirements of a successful airlift, with notes on volume design, engine technology, VTOL and carrier-landing design issues; * * Airlifter Development in the Second World War; (p. 30 - 63) Very much the early heart of the book, covering historically-built designs based on commercial aircraft (CW-20, C-46, C-54, C-69, C-74, C-82, etc.) and through a range of proposed designs that never reach production - ranging from "powered"-versions of gliders to the very largest of designs based on existing B-29 Superfortress technologies (C-74) and B-36 (C-99)). * * Learning the Lessons of War, 1945-50; the first era in which designs began to emerge that were not expediency driven and based on commercial airliner designs, including the emergence of new producers (Chase, Hughes, etc.). Some became highlighted aircraft during the Vietnam War (C-123 Provider, originally a Chase design; C-119 and C-124 Globemaster). * * Development of Heavy Airlift Capability, 1950-57); emergence of new turboprop technology led to C-130 and several proposals to upgrade existing (C-124, etc.) designs from radial engines to turboprop designs, and enhanced jet power (brought forth with B-52 and Boeing 707 introduction) offered a range of new strategic designs. * * Strategic Air Command's Tanker-Transport, Transforming the future of air transportation; while the advanced turboprop's failed in several sectors, advance of Boeings 'Dash 8' prototype heralded a range of new jet designs; * * The Emergence of the Modern Airlifter, 1955 to 1960; Expansion of the commercial aircraft market in jet designs (iBoeing 707, Convair 900, C-141, etc.) brought about new designs, and advanced over first-generation turboprops emerged for the first time as economical alternatives to jet designs, bringing forth Canadair's CL-144, Douglas C-133 designs with limited production. * *. New Light Airlifters, 1956-1961; a range of light transports emerged during the late-Fifties to replace aging prop designs, many hold-overs from WW 2 aircraft in air forces worldwide, including the de Havilland of Canada DHC-4 (and later -5) Buffalo, Fairchild's turboprop update with both two and four-engines to upgrade the C-123 Provider, and the Fairchild F-27 military Model 258G/J/K versions. * * Conclusion, 1941 to 1961; a two-page summary. The author concludes: "....the true airlifted had been born and the following decade would see its capability finally realized. It would herald the arrive of giant airlifts over ten times the weight of the largest transports used in World War Two." [Onward to author's "Airlifters 1962 to the Present....]. HIGHLY recommended.

After 40 years of helping to build transport aircraft and a lifetime of collecting aviation history, I have spent a lot of time looking for a historically and technically accurate coverage of the transport aircraft that were so important to my career, Commercial transports have received good coverage but the military coverage is spotty at best. There are a few good histories that cover a few important airlifter types but many military types have been nearly ignored . This book corrects that problem. This is one of those books that when you read it, you know you will never have to buy another on the subject. Not only does it give good coverage of all types - including those with large orders and long service; it also includes the many concepts and prototypes. Just as important, the whole history of military airlifters is told in context of the times. Except, as I neared the end, I realized the book was ending before the story was done. A bit of checking revealed that this was the first of 2 volumes, so I ordered vol. 2 as soon as it was announced. I can't wait for it to arrive. In the meantime, I am keeping this book at close hand so I can re-read my favorite sections. Great job!!

Outstanding book. Very interesting and never before covered topic. Transports and airlifters are not often the focus of writers and researchers. Fighters and bombers are just more glamorous and better looking. But transports always have played a major role in airpower and its fascinating to see how many designs were never produced but which can be studied as artists conceptions, drawings, models and mockups. A few lucking designs were actually flight tested. This book is clearly very well researched from US military and aviation industry archives. Superb photos. Very nicely produced ( photos, paper quality, size, binding). I will buy more from this author and publisher. Well done! And I’m pretty picky.

Aircraft historians, modelers and fans of odd aircraft will love this book! PACKED with drawings and photos, this book tells the stories of aircraft little or completely unknown to all but the dedicated researcher. The authors are working on Volume III, so if you don't want to be out of the loop I'd get this book RIGHT NOW! This book is the second in the new series of American Secret Projects, Volume I being Fighters, Bombers and Attack Aircraft 1937-1945 by Tony Buttler and Alan Griffith. Volume II is highly and unreservedly recommended. Alan Griffith