Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - Warbird Tech Vol. 36 [Paperback]

Bill Norton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2003

The C-5 Galaxy was designed in the mid-1960s to transport vast quantities of material to any part of the globe. The result was the largest aircraft in the world. However, it became a symbol for government excess and production was limited to just 81 machines. Initial operations struggled with frequent breakdowns AND, in an extraordinary move, the gravely under-designed wing was replaced. Even more remarkable was the decision to reopen production after a decade for another 50 machines. Because of its incredible capacity and range, the C-5 Galaxy remains indispensable. The decision has been made to refit the aircraft for decades of more operation. This is the remarkable story of the Galaxy's controversial birth, climb to eminence, and quarter century of service.This detailed story is told with hundreds of supporting illustrations, objectively exploring controversial subjects based on thorough research. Never before have the structural and subsystem problems experienced by the C-5 during its early years been explored so succinctly in a manner suitable for popular publication. This was possible because the author's background as an aeronautical engineer involved in aircraft development and flight test. The book also lays out the jet's history and details of the currently-underway modernization program. Unique missions such as airdrop are shown in rare photographs and drawings, with hundreds of other illustrations appealing to modelers and historians.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Norton is an aeronautical and flight test engineer who retired in 2002 from a 20-year career as a US Air Force Officer. He is a 1992 graduate of the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering, and he also holds a master of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Norton works as a flight test engineer for JT3, a support contractor for the Air Force Flight Test Center. He works as a structures engineer, leading flight test missions in the control room for the Air Force's new fighter aircraft, the F/A-22. Norton is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Flight Test Technical Committee and the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) Technical Council. He wrote the "Structures Flight Test Handbook" as well as the "Boeing C-17A Globemaster III" (Specialty Press, 2001) and the "STOL Progenitors" (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2002). His articles have also appeared in numerous magazines, including "Aerospace America, Air International and FineScale Modeler", to name a few. Norton is an accomplished civilian aviator and is constructing his own aircraft. Other hobbies include running, writing and plastic modeling.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Specialty Press (September 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580070612
• ISBN-13: 978-1580070614
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,286,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you need one book on the C-5..., November 25, 2004

By 

A French enthusiast - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - Warbird Tech Vol. 36 (Paperback)

Authoritative ! Model maker, enthusiast or just "spotter" ? Everything you need is here. C-5 production list including the names of the C-5s that were christened, very rare - even if official - pictures (and gripping captions), wonderful explanations about some tasks not necessary daily undertaken by great crew (just have a look at the Night Riders based at Dover, DE)... this book entirely devoted to the Galaxy and the way you live in or with it, is never too technical but always extremely precise, concise, enlightened. That's safely that you can so, with Bill Norton, get aboard of what became a symbol. Galaxy forever...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Modelers Research Must, October 8, 2003

By 

Daniel Kerr (Salem, Al United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - Warbird Tech Vol. 36 (Paperback)

For Modelers that crave photo's and details of the C5's being assembled - this one is a must have. Bill Norton has gone the extra flight to bring out what went into bringing this aircraft to life from rare Lockheed assembly photo's to editoral's from past and present C-5 aircrew and testers that answered questions and offer their views.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice coverage of "Fat Al", October 2, 2003

By 

Marco De Montis "de_montis" (Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - Warbird Tech Vol. 36 (Paperback)

In this volume Bill Norton covers very deeply the fascinating story of the controversial Galaxy, surely an impressive and capable aircraft, but also quite troubled in service history, particularly for the redesign needed on the wings. Notwithstanding this, the C-5 is surely one of the most important asset in USAF inventory, like Mr. Norton clearly describes. The book involves a very interesting story of all troubles encountered by this giant plane, and also chapters on service life, technical description and modernization programs (RERP). It could be perfect with more photos of the "walk around style", in order to better appreciate all the Galaxy's peculiarities. However, a very good addition to the nice "WarbirdTech" series, and a must for all Giant Planes enthusiast.