Customer Reviews

F-22 Raptor: America's Next Lethal War Machine

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of several books oh F-22 I'v got from Amazon. Frankly, I expect much more. It's just a compilation of beautiful Eric Hehz article in Lockheed's Code One Magazine and Lockheed media guide. Also, Hehs article is much more informative on development history. You could spend much less money, trying to print those sources after having find them on the net (they are available). I liked Sweetman's book more, but Aronstain's is simply the best (and expensive, in that way). But - let it be on your bookshelf. As for me, I found rare pic of pair of YF-23 there. BTW, N-14 was not internal Northrop name for YF-23. It was for B-2.

I had very high expectations for this book, given that it was announced as the premier volume in a McGraw-Hill series, endorsed by USAF historian Walter Boyne. What I found was a book that appeared to be a rewrite of Lockheed/Martin's press package on the F-22, often not carefully edited (there are lots of misspellings and fragmented sentences).

Also, having read Bill Sweetman's MBI book on the F-22 and the outstanding Aronstein, Hirschberg, and Piccirillo book (now there is an excellent book!) before this one, I guess Steve Pace's book was handicapped from the start.

In summary, if you can buy only one book on the F-22, this one is for you. On the other hand, if you have a deep interest in the topic, this one may not add as much as you would hope for.

Absolutely no original research as near as I can tell. It appears the author just copied the press material Lockheed sent him and added some pictures Lockheed sent him - no original photography either. And like the other McGraw Hill books in this series, it is on marginal paper. I can not recommend this book unless you find one in the second-hand store.

The F-15C actually exceeds 1.0 Mn in a vertical climb! In fact, the older F-15A can do so as well.

I found the book to be most informative. I can't wait to fly the '22.

If you are a serious aviation buff and already have a working knowledge of military aircraft or aviation in general, do not buy this book. I am a pilot and I had a difficult time reading this book and keeping a straight face. The author makes several false statements in the first few pages and when he makes the ridiculous claim that the F-15C can accelerate to supersonic speeds in a vertical climb, I am forced to doubt every statement he makes in the remainder of the book. It is written at a very basic level and does not go into the detail one would expect from a book with the endorsement of Walter J. Boyne and Aviation Week. I threw the book away after reading it, as I am too ashamed to display it on my bookcase.

According to Dr. Raymond L. Puffer, Historian, Air Force Flight Test Center History Office, Edwards AFB, California, on 1 February 1975, USAF Major Rogers Smith flew the Streak Eagle (an F-15A) to its eighth official world time-to-climb record in 17 days. This was in the 3,000 meter catagory, which he achieved in 207.80 seconds. After a take-off role of 400 feet, he accelerated to 420 mph, then pulled 5 Gs to a vertical climb. He passed through Mach number 1.0 during the climb. This justifies my claim - it's really too bad the man tossed his copy of the book out.