Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
the "Queen of the skies" in deep detail, February 28, 2004
This title in the excellent "Airlinertech" series, is a very deep analysis into the complex systems and updated technologies of the 747-400, a true "Queen of the skies". The book is very interesting, especially from the technical point of view, with many diagrams, explanation of the major systems and nice photos (I particularly like the production line shots, by the famed James Goodall). I would rather like more production line shots and less of the usual airport photos,together with a more in deep analysis of the engines, but otherwise, this is a very nice book, particularly on the "good value for money" aspect.
I hope Specialty Press will continue with this good technical standard.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good General Overview Of The 747-400, December 5, 2005
I generally like the "Airliner Tech" series, and this volume is no exception. The book is a concise monograph on the pride of Boeing, the 747-400 series. Robert Dorr writes authoritatively on the history of the program and discusses all significant variants, including unbuilt variants, and even the ultra-obscure YAL-1. There is a very nice chapter of beautiful color photographs that enthusiasts of the 400 will love, and a production list that is useful for identifying aircraft by tail number, should you be so inclined.
The book is very strong on program history and coverage of variants, and attempts a discussion of technical points with modest success. The first chapter (which traces a sample long-range flight) is generally accurate with a few minor (largely procedural) discrepancies. The discussion of aircraft systems contains, like a previous reviewer noted, a number of errors which are trivial for general enthusiasts, but which could have easily been corrected with proofreading from a pilot or ground school instructor experienced on the 400. (In the interest of full disclosure here, I have a B-747-4[00] type rating, and have also instructed on the aircraft, which may serve to make me pickier than many.) Make no mistake though, I think this is a fine book overall, inasmuch as the errors will not be noticed except by people already intimately familiar with the aircraft, and who are unlikely to read the book for technical data.
This book is a fine introduction to the 747-400, and I look forward to other books in the series. What the book lacks in technical perfection is easily overcome in quality of production, photography, and value. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the Queen of Boeing's fleet.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive, August 17, 2002
Having read the previous book in the Airliner Tech Series dealing with the 747-100/200-300/SP as well as other books on the famous Jumbo Jet I will say that for some one looking for technical details this is a good book to read. Being an engineer and having worked on both the 747-200 and -400 I noticed that a lot of the technical drawings are taken directly from the Boeing manuals. As with the book covering the 747-100/200/300/SP this book had a number of printing errors and omissions that Specialty Press needs to be a bit more carefull about, something I found highly annoying. For somebody keen on modelling this book would be a great research tool.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
