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.
William J. Norton is retired from a flight test engineering career spanning 40 years, with 20 as a US Air Force officer. This included serving as aircrew aboard test aircraft. He has held numerous positions in many organizations on dozens of aerospace programs spanning all aircraft types. He has penned scores of technical papers, seventeen books, and a multitude of articles. Bill holds a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering and has taught at college courses. He is a pilot with numerous ratings, restored and operated a DHC-1 Chipmunk, and built a Rutan Long-EZ. Bill is married to the lovely Anya Victoria.
Foreword; Acknowledgements; Glossary; Acronyms and Abbreviations; 1 Altered Landscape; 2 Flight Research; 3 Mission Imperatives; 4 Fighters Evolve; 5 Second Generation Fighters; 6 Deviant Fighters; 7 Bombers Transform; 8 Transport and Assault; 9 Helicopters Ascend; 10 Sea Missions; 11 Special Types; 12 Aerial Weapons; 13 The Test-Korea; 14 Precipitous; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index; Author.
