Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes, and Experimental Aircraft (Aviation Factfile) (Hardcover)

by Jim Winchester (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Climb into the cockpit of some of the world's most exciting experimental and test aircraft, like the revolutionary Vought XF5U. Nicknamed the "Flying Pancake," the XF5U's unique saucer shape fueled rumors that the United States government was secretly testing a UFO! Fascinating stories about fabled prototypes and designs that would shape aviation history abound in this authoritative book edited by aviation expert Jim Winchester. Spreads feature plenty of historical photographs, full-color graphics, timelines and fun facts that showcase the genius behind some of the greatest designs in aviation history. Though many of these designs never flew, this new book in the Aviation Factfiles series is definitely ready to fly.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (October 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592234801
• ISBN-13: 978-1592234806
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #528,071 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars TLI: Too Little Info, but great value!, January 30, 2006

By	David Norton "Mr. Shrike" (Temecula, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book just scratches the historical surface on a too-wide variety of experimental aircraft, leaving the reader wishing for more detail on fewer planes. Many of the illustrations are quite nice, and there is a fine sprinlking of fascinating factoids. The arrangement is alphabetical rather than chronological (why?), and the writing is marred by numerous typos and puzzling graphical performance comparisons. Still, it makes an interesting few evening's reading, and it looks great on the coffee table! It's just too cheap not to have one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great visual tour of experimental aircraft, March 14, 2007

By	J. Allison (Wichita, Kansas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Remember when you were a kid and every plane seemed out of this world? This book presents a variety of the most interesting experimental planes. Sure, none of these got very far off the drawing board, but using your imagination they can all soar again. There are a lot of great pictures and illustrations and I like the quaint comparative graphics. The enthusiast will of course find more detailed volumes on many of the aircraft profiled, but for for a general tour the "out there" ones this volume can't be beat.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lists aircraft concepts I never saw, or haven't seen anything on in decades., January 19, 2009

By	Kelly G. Starks - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a aerospace engineer with 30 years in the biz. I'm pretty familiar with a lot of unusual craft, and this book (sometimes very briefly) lists some I've never seen mentioned in decades. With good photos and illos.