Flight: 100 Years of Aviation by Jonathan Metcalf  (18)
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Chant, a veteran of over 70 reference histories, and Batchelor, who has designed postage stamps for more than 40 countries, have produced the best overview to date of aviation's first century. From 19th-century experiments to stealth technologies, each illustration-heavy chapter includes explanations of the various aerodynamic and practical problems that were encountered and overcome by a variety of innovations and developments, such as the slotted wing, used to prevent stalling of an aircraft. Milestone events-Bleriot crossing the English Channel in 1909, Lindbergh crossing the Atlantic and Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier, for example-are nicely balanced with such less well-known but equally important ones, as the first use of aircraft in wartime by the Italians during their conflict with Turkey in Libya in 1911. The color illustrations of aircraft, including X-ray-like views of intricate engines and other workings, are meticulously accurate and aesthetically sharp (and certainly up to the high standards demanded by modelers and buffs); they often complement the narrative by illustrating lesser known aircraft not specifically mentioned in the text but adequately described in captions. Chant's familiarity with the subject is evident in the ease of narrative flow, and he passes over very little in recounting the history of manned flight during the 20th century. Even the most knowledgeable aviation enthusiast will find this book enjoyable to page through and most likely will learn something new.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
It started on December 17, 1903, when Orville and Wilbur Wright made their 12-second flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With more than 200 illustrations, this sumptuous book celebrates 100 years of flying. The vintage black-and-white photographs are particularly appealing: sacks being loaded at night into an early airmail plane and a British flying boat with a bevy of bathing beauties standing on its wings and pontoons, for example. After a lengthy prologue focusing on the Wright brothers, Chant covers every aspect of aviation history: early biplanes, the age of the Zeppelins, the birth of civil aviation, and the beginning of airmail service. He also chronicles the race for speed and distance, World War I and World War II fighters and bombers, commercial air travel, the invention and uses of helicopters, the jet age, and what Chant describes as the modern age of flight with its huge airliners and stealth warplanes. Chant's text, combined with Batchelor's illustrations, offers a vivid history. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
See all Editorial Reviews
Chant, a veteran of over 70 reference histories, and Batchelor, who has designed postage stamps for more than 40 countries, have produced the best overview to date of aviation's first century. From 19th-century experiments to stealth technologies, each illustration-heavy chapter includes explanations of the various aerodynamic and practical problems that were encountered and overcome by a variety of innovations and developments, such as the slotted wing, used to prevent stalling of an aircraft. Milestone events-Bleriot crossing the English Channel in 1909, Lindbergh crossing the Atlantic and Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier, for example-are nicely balanced with such less well-known but equally important ones, as the first use of aircraft in wartime by the Italians during their conflict with Turkey in Libya in 1911. The color illustrations of aircraft, including X-ray-like views of intricate engines and other workings, are meticulously accurate and aesthetically sharp (and certainly up to the high standards demanded by modelers and buffs); they often complement the narrative by illustrating lesser known aircraft not specifically mentioned in the text but adequately described in captions. Chant's familiarity with the subject is evident in the ease of narrative flow, and he passes over very little in recounting the history of manned flight during the 20th century. Even the most knowledgeable aviation enthusiast will find this book enjoyable to page through and most likely will learn something new.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
It started on December 17, 1903, when Orville and Wilbur Wright made their 12-second flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With more than 200 illustrations, this sumptuous book celebrates 100 years of flying. The vintage black-and-white photographs are particularly appealing: sacks being loaded at night into an early airmail plane and a British flying boat with a bevy of bathing beauties standing on its wings and pontoons, for example. After a lengthy prologue focusing on the Wright brothers, Chant covers every aspect of aviation history: early biplanes, the age of the Zeppelins, the birth of civil aviation, and the beginning of airmail service. He also chronicles the race for speed and distance, World War I and World War II fighters and bombers, commercial air travel, the invention and uses of helicopters, the jet age, and what Chant describes as the modern age of flight with its huge airliners and stealth warplanes. Chant's text, combined with Batchelor's illustrations, offers a vivid history. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
See all Editorial Reviews
Product Details
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Inside This Book Citations: This book cites 6 books | 3 books that cite this book Explore: Citations | Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Key Phrases - SIPs: swept flying surfaces, carrierborne fighter, attack warplane, wing cellule, synchronizer gear (more) Key Phrases - CAPs: United States, United Kingdom, New York, Smithsonian Institution, North American (more) Browse Sample Pages: Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me! |
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Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
The birth of aviation was midwifed by a motley crew of dreamers, scientists, tinkerers, and governments. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
swept flying surfaces, carrierborne fighter, attack warplane, wing cellule, synchronizer gear, aviation meeting, supersonic performance, racing aircraft, reconnaissance airplane, multirole fighter, fixed landing gear, combat airplane, tail unit, outer wing panels, civil market,
The birth of aviation was midwifed by a motley crew of dreamers, scientists, tinkerers, and governments. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
swept flying surfaces, carrierborne fighter, attack warplane, wing cellule, synchronizer gear, aviation meeting, supersonic performance, racing aircraft, reconnaissance airplane, multirole fighter, fixed landing gear, combat airplane, tail unit, outer wing panels, civil market,