Customer Reviews

Range Unlimited: A History of Aerial Refueling

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I gave a scathing review to Schiffer's book "Firepower", co-authored by Bill Holder, but fortunately this is a much better book.

It begins with dual histories of the development of aerial refueling techniques and gear thru the '50s, first in the U.S. and then overseas. This is followed by a chapter on "Dynamics of Aerial Refueling" which is technical, but not overly so, and has some nice photos of the various types of refuelling rigs in use.

This is followed by descriptions and photos of all of the aircraft primarily used as refuelers since the '50s, again first the U.S. types and then the foreign ones, thru the time the book was published. There are plenty of photos of the aircraft in action, including some in color. There are even images of tanker proposals that were not proceeded with.

The only reason I knocked down the rating was a common problem with Schiffer books: poor photo reproduction, with many photos that are too dark and contrasty. And of course, by now the book could use an update, though I recommend to Schiffer that they wait until the outcome of the current USAF tanker competition is finally resolved before doing that.

It's hard to believe that this fine book comes from the same team that did the horrible "Firepower". I don't need to tell you which of the two I still own!