Fighters of The Fifties

The beginning of the true jet age, the 1950s are already a decade which many aircraft enthusiasts can barely remember, if at all; and a decade of nostalgia for those who can. It is thus surprising that relatively little has yet been published on the fascinating and often highly innovative aircraft of this period, an omission which this book admirably corrects.
The 1950s were an era of constant aeronautical development during which air speed and altitude records were being broken almost daily; it was also a period of constant tension during which the threat of nuclear war seemed to loom ever closer; and it was a decade in which combat aircraft colours and markings reached their brightest and most extravagant.
This book examines the developments of the 1950s, including both the designs which succeeded and those which did not. It describes the problems encountered as Mach numbers climbed inexorably higher and the various solutions adopted by different designers in their quest for power and yet more power.
Arranged in alphabetical order by manufacturer, the aircraft featured in this book include many classic shapes such as the Sabre, Hunter, Starfighter, Mirage, Draken, MiGs 15 to 21, Vampire, Thunderchief, Voodoo and Crusader as well as other, less well-known but fascinating projects such as the Goblin `parasite' fighter and the Mach 3 Rapier. The narrative descriptions are enhanced by individual data tables and dozens of fine photographs making this unique book an invaluable addition to every aviation enthusiast's bookshelf and an admirable contribution to our understanding of a neglected period in aeronautical history.



by Bill Gunston
Published by PSL 1981 1st edition. 248pp profusely illustrated with b&w photos 17x24 very good, in price clipped d/j.




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Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.

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