American Aircraft of World War II [Hardcover]

David Mondey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

This book provides a useful guide to some 120 aircraft that served with the US Air Force from 1939-1945. Both combat and non-combat aircraft are covered by text detailing each type's origin, history, and variants, followed by a full technical specification.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chartwell Book Sales; Reprint edition (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785813616
• ISBN-13: 978-0785813613
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and detailed, May 4, 2006

By 

J. Girard "donhenri" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Aircraft of World War II (Hardcover)

I picked up this book because I had decided to start doing scale modelling of WWII aircraft. A quick flip through the pages showed some remarkable reproductions of squadron markings and nose art, perfect for what I had in mind. Once I got it I found out exactly what a treasure it is. In addition to American markings there are some from other countries, mostly allied like China, Honduras, Free French, etc. But there are also some pictures of captured aircraft with Luftwaffe markings, something I have never seen before.

In addition to the numerous drawings, including some truly awesome two page all angle views of some of the more famous planes like the P-51, P-47, P-40, and the P-38 (just to name some), the information content for each plane was enormous. Starting with the experimental or test designation, to the first operational version, through the different variants (including the alternate names for export versions) and armament loadouts.

Far beyond what I thought I was getting and well worth twice as much as I paid for it. If you want in-depth information on American built aircraft during WWII, this is a must have book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, April 7, 2005

By 

Chun Hou (Chun Hou) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Aircraft of World War II (Hardcover)

This book provided very detailed information of all American military aircraft developed in the WWII. I first bought it at a second book store because its detailed drawings caught my eyes. Later, it became a most popular book sharing with my 8-year-old son. Through the book, we spent some quality time to discuss wWorld War II, machinary, and aviation history.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good things can come in small packages Part 3, November 18, 2009

By 

cpt matt (tanktown, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: American Aircraft of World War II (Hardcover)

If I had to have only one book to cover all of American WW2 aviation, this would be it. Although small in size (10x6")it manages to cover over 130 aircraft built by the Americans in WW2. Planes from trainers to massive bombers, prototypes that never flew to famous aircraft such as the Mustang, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, B-17, B-29, are all captured here.

Short historys of the planes, data and statistics for each, color illustrations for the majority of them, this book is a great reference. When in print, it was a bargin at $13.00.

A very handy reference tool, I have used this book many times when in search of a quick fact without delving into a more comprehensive study. It can be used by modelers, although the color illustrations are small and can be limited. I definately recommend this book to all aviation fans.