Customer Reviews

Black Jets: The Development and Operation of America's Most Secret Warplane

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is phenomenal! First, the thing weighs more than a solid lead plate and is made of the finest paper with the best color reproductions I've ever seen outside of an expensive art book, so it is well worth the money in just the quality alone. But turn in to the oversized pages and you will find the densest, most detailed information on these four "black" planes you will find anywhere. I have many books on the SR-71 and a few on the F-117, but these contain far more information than any other titles I own, plus way more incredible photos. There are more pictures on the B-2 than I've seen in all other books combined! "Blueprint"-style illustrations show full layouts of planes, and wing/squadron information and color patches are also displayed.
There are so many small details covered it isn't even funny. This book is simply mind-blowing from cover to cover for the airplane enthusiast. I expect to be reading this over and over for years to come.

This book is a never-ending resource for fans of U-2, SR-71, F-117 and B-2. It is made of fine paper and colors are bright, photo resolutions are above average. The quantity of pics is incredible, and some of them has never been published before. It's like an encyclopedia for these 4 planes, and it will enrich your knowledge of these 4 marvellous jets. Absolutely suggested for aerospace addicted!

Kind of surprised there isn't a lot more reviews on this book, because it is excellent. In one book, they covered four of what will probably be the most historic and mysterious aircraft in aviation history. The majority of photos in the book are original to this book, as far as I can tell. At least I haven't seen most of them before, and I've read a lot about these aircraft. Having the entire roster of each aircraft listed serial by serial is worth the price alone. It wasn't long ago that a book like this would be at least 3 times as much. Definitely recommended.

For a start the book is 256 pages and not 320 and it does not weigh a ton more like 1.7 Kgs or 3.2 pound. It is normal weight and very definitely not excessive. Its a coffee table book. That being said it is a pictorial book with high quality photos on glossy expensive paper. The cut-aways and artwork are high quality, much like you would see in a part work periodical. It covers the 4 black jets, not to a great deal of depth owing to the number of pages that could be allocated to each. Yes its nice book, but I wonder, there are better books out there now, say by aerofax on each of the models written about that do not cost the excessive amount combined, that is now being asked due to this book being out of print.

I really liked this book. The pictures are great and there is alot of good history on the development of the airplanes. Plus the diagrams and the list of units using the aircraft add some extra pop that you do not normally see in other books. Some good companion books for related planes are The Skunk Works by Ben Rich and Lockheed Stealth by Bill Sweetman.