50 Aircraft That Changed the World - Hardcover

The format and size of this work lend themselves to aviation enthusiasts seeking striking images of famous airplanes.--Gregory Curtis"American Reference Books Annual 2008" (01/01/2008) An impressive and encyclopedic history of influential aircraft [that] should be a part of every personal, professional, academic, and community library's Aviation History reference collection.--James A. Cox"Midwest Book Review" (11/01/2007) This is much more than a composite rehash of the "Aviation Century" series. The text is new, the team's selections are defensible, and the illustrations, sidebars, pilot and aircraft profiles, and human-interest stories are all fresh, appealing, and insightful. Recommended for all aeronautical collections.-- (11/15/2007) A close-up survey of 50 of arguably the most remarkable and influential aircraft in aviation history... Beautifully presented... A bargain at 40 bucks, this book will grace the coffee table of any aviation aficionado.-- (09/01/2007) Really a must read for everyone -- imagine the history.-- (12/13/2007) Dick and Patterson have made unusually fine choices.... The 50 aircraft...receive analytical but accurately admiring write-ups... Reasonable affection for aircraft is shown throughout this attractive, literate volume. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers.-- (04/01/2008)

A close-up survey of 50 of the most remarkable and influential aircraft ever. For this book, the authors of the widely acclaimed Aviation Century series chose 50 of history's most influential aircraft, with profiles of their pilots and designers. They begin with the Wright Brothers' 1905 Flyer, then move on to the birth of aerial warfare in World War I, the trail-blazers of the interwar years, the first passenger flights, and the great flying boats. Classic World War II aircraft such as the Bf 109, Spitfire and Mustang are included among the stars of that time. Then come the jets of the Korean and Vietnam wars, modern commercial carriers, private jets, experimental designs, and new combat fighters featuring Stealth technology. Hundreds of color and archival photographs enhance an informative and entertaining text. Featured aircraft include: The Wright Brothers 1905 Flyer Fokker E.111 Sopwith Camel Charles Lindbergh's Ryan NYP Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega MesserschmittBf 109 Supermarine Spitfire Boeing B-17 Avro Lancaster De Havilland Mosquito Howard Hughes' Lockheed Constellation Concorde Learjet Boeing B-52 Rutan Voyager ... and 35 more.