American Secret Projects 2: Airlifters

I read this book and if anyone is aware, it is one of two volumes in the American Secret Projects series that covers US military transport designs, built or unbuilt, since the early 1940s. The authors start off with an introduction to US airlifter development throughout history, as well as the challenges of US airlifter (e.g. proper engines, payload, making the cargo cabin big enough to accommodate huge cargo loads). The rest of the book is broken down into several chapters as follows:* Airlifter Development in the Second World War: a comprehensive overview of US airlifter design conceived in World War II, including the C-74 Globemaster I, C-97 Stratofreighter, RB Conestoga, C-76 Caravan, Convair XC-99, R6O/R6V Constitution, and a giant blended wing body transport designed by Henry Kaiser, but also advanced version of troop transport aircraft like the C-47, C-54, and C-69.* Learning the Lessons of War, 1945-50: describes in detail the plethora of US military transport designs created by the US aerospace industry based on lessons learned from WW2, including assault gliders, the C-119 and C-124 airlifters (derived from the C-82 and C-74 respectively), the C-123 Provider tactical airlifter* Stretching Yesterday's Technologies: overview of transport aircraft based on existing aircraft like the C-118, C-119, C-123, and Constellation, but also the XC-Medium contest that led to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport* Development of Heavy Airlift Capability: comprehensive overview of heavy lift transport planes designed in the 1950s, including advanced derivatives of the C-97 Stratofreighter, turboprop C-124 designs, pod-carrying transports, giant flying wing transports, C-133 Cargomaster turboprop-powered strategic airlifter, and design submissions to the XC-Heavy competition, including the unbuilt C-132 turboprop-powered strategic airlifter project* Strategic Air Command's Tanker-Transport: an overview of tanker transport designs to replace the KC-97, including proposals that would lead to the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker* The Emergence of the Modern Airlifter: describes in detail the abortive C-Jet initiative to create an airlifter using the airframe of a commercial airliner, and more importantly jet-powered strategic airlifter designs for the SOR 182 competition, which led to the first jet strategic airlifter, the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter; paradoxically, designs were conceived for supersonic airlifter designs* New Light Airlifters, 1956-1961: covers designs for lightweight STOL airlifters, including the Boeing Model 815 and Douglas designs with STOL/VTOL capability

As someone who enjoys reading about 'what if' projects, (most ahead of their time), I just had to buy a copy of this book, as soon as I saw it on sale.Despite big military budgets (unlike their allies in the UK, who had the creative ability, but little funding. Just search Amazon for 'on Atlas' Shoulders' by Chris Gibson for a British equivalent to this book) a great many of the fascinating aircraft portrayed here, got no further than a scale model and some sketches. Some of those that did go further, went on to become the most successful military aircraft of all time. History often turns on a single small decision, made by anonymous people in offices in Washington and elsewhere.The stunning front cover illustration (the proposed, but not built Fairchild M-99-07) of this book gives a great example of the sort of project which is covered in print within. If the cover illustration stirs your interest, go ahead and buy the book, you will not be disappointed.At 300 pages, it's a delightful book and a great addition to any library on post-war military aviation. I'm already looking forward to the next volume that will bring the story up to date.

The blurb on the back of the book claims it contains information 'Never previously been seen by the outside world'. They certainly weren't lying when they said that as far as I'm concerned! Chock full of obscure information on very obscure designs of American military airlifters. A absolute must buy for serious students of aerospace subjects.

Part of the Secret Projects series, this deals with the Transport Aircraft/Airlifters from WW2 onwards. Some obvious subjects but some weird and wonderful ideas that never flew. If you are a buff of the planes that never flew this is one for the collection. Well written, good illustrations and usual statistics.

Ever since the Secret Projects series began many years ago, I’ve been astonished at the amount of material which has been uncovered about proposed aircraft designs that never made it beyond the drawing board or mock-up, and this latest addition is no exception. Indeed the authors were so overwhelmed by the volume of previously unpublished documentation they uncovered while researching for this book that they decided two volumes would be justified. So this is volume 2 (the first was “American Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers of World War 2” published in 2014) and covers embryonic plans for transport aircraft from the point at which the US joined WW2 in 1941 to 1961, the period since to be the subject of volume 3 to follow.So, this book covers what - for me - is the most interesting era of aviation history, and many of the most iconic transport aircraft of all time were conceived during that period. Here you will find a detailed and fascinating account of not just the stillborn proposals but several that developed into well known and loved airlifters. The sheer number and variety of designs from the manufacturers - dominated by Boeing, Douglas, Fairchild and Lockheed - that emerged during the period in question is quite extraordinary. Some of these ultimately developed into well-known types but others border on the bizarre and have a real ‘Dan Dare’ look about them. But in the end, of these hundreds of designs, only the Boeing C-97 & C-135/707, Douglas C-124 & C-133, Fairchild C-119 & C-123 and Lockheed C-130 & C-141 were to emerge as successes.As might be expected, the quality of presentation, text detail and illustrations look to be first-class and a worthy compliment to an already extensive set of books in the ‘what if’ genre. If you are a fan of this branch of aviation literature, this will be an unmissable part of the story, never before told in this depth.

The best book in the whole series, buy it NOW before it is sold out! My copy was a gift from my partner, Daniel Uhr, who designed the cover. Keep on the good work Daniel. I hope he will also present me with volume Two.

Over the 20-year period covered by the the authors, much of which was in wartime or the Cold War, the author have done an excellent volume, covering everything from powered-glider designs to strategic transports.The book follows the pattern of earlier Crecy publications "Secret Project" series (American, British, French, etc.).The book is therefore heavily illustrated, especially with concept and production design3-view graphics.There are nine chapters, as below:* * Eighty Years of American airlift - an over view, summary chapter covering Second World War thru Iraq and Afghanistan wars;* * Challenge of Airlifter Design; summary of the key requirements of a successful airlift, with notes on volume design, engine technology, VTOL and carrier-landing design issues;* * Airlifter Development in the Second World War; (p. 30 - 63) Very much the early heart of the book, covering historically-built designs based on commercial aircraft (CW-20, C-46, C-54, C-69, C-74, C-82, etc.) and through a range of proposed designs that never reach production - ranging from "powered"-versions of gliders to the very largest ofdesigns based on existing B-29 Superfortress technologies (C-74) and B-36 (C-99)).* * Learning the Lessons of War, 1945-50; the first era in which designs began to emerge that were not expediency driven and based on commercial airliner designs, including the emergence of new producers (Chase, Hughes, etc.).Some became highlighted aircraft during the Vietnam War (C-123 Provider, originally a Chase design; C-119 and C-124 Globemaster).* * Development of Heavy Airlift Capability, 1950-57); emergence of new turboprop technology led to C-130 and several proposals to upgrade existing (C-124, etc.) designs from radial engines to turboprop designs, and enhanced jet power (brought forth with B-52 and Boeing 707 introduction) offered a range of new strategic designs.* * Strategic Air Command's Tanker-Transport, Transforming the future of air transportation; while the advanced turboprop's failed in several sectors, advance of Boeings 'Dash 8' prototype heralded a range of new jet designs;* * The Emergence of the Modern Airlifter, 1955 to 1960; Expansion of the commercial aircraft market in jet designs (iBoeing 707, Convair 900, C-141, etc.) brought about new designs, and advanced over first-generation turboprops emerged for the first time as economical alternatives to jet designs, bringing forth Canadair's CL-144, Douglas C-133designs with limited production.* *. New Light Airlifters, 1956-1961; a range of light transports emerged during the late-Fifties to replace aging prop designs, many hold-overs from WW 2 aircraft in air forces worldwide, including the de Havilland of Canada DHC-4 (and later -5) Buffalo, Fairchild's turboprop update with both two and four-engines to upgrade the C-123 Provider, and the Fairchild F-27 military Model 258G/J/K versions.* * Conclusion, 1941 to 1961; a two-page summary. The author concludes: "....the true airlifted had been born and the following decade would see its capability finally realized. It would herald the arrive of giant airlifts over ten times the weight of the largest transports used in World War Two." [Onward to author's "Airlifters 1962 to the Present....].HIGHLY recommended.

Book arrived in good order. Thank you

シークレットプロジェクツシリーズの新装版シリーズ、最新刊。珍妙な実験機・試験機を網羅的に紹介するシリーズが次に目をつけたのは、アメリカの輸送機。しかし、この領域に珍妙な実験機・試験機はあまりないでしょー。実際、表紙のような変わったタイプの機体は従来のこのシリーズの中ではかなり少なめ。むしろ、まじめな輸送機、製作の歴史書となっている。従来のシリーズ同様、イラストはきれいで機体によっては三面図がかかれており、スクラッチビルドで模型をつくることもなんとか可能。説明も意外な掘り出し話とか、この機体ってこういう流れででてきたのね、ということがわかる話なども満載で面白い。英語も平易。実験機マニア必携です。

This book is hard to put down. Fascinating with a good level of technical detail along with an interesting narrative of the development of US airlifters and the various competitions and programs that bore them.leaves you wanting more, without feeling that anything was missing.Buy it, you will be glad you did.

After 40 years of helping to build transport aircraft and a lifetime of collecting aviation history, I have spent a lot of time looking for a historically and technically accurate coverage of the transport aircraft that were so important to my career, Commercial transports have received good coverage but the military coverage is spotty at best. There are a few good histories that cover a few important airlifter types but many military types have been nearly ignored . This book corrects that problem. This is one of those books that when you read it, you know you will never have to buy another on the subject. Not only does it give good coverage of all types - including those with large orders and long service; it also includes the many concepts and prototypes. Just as important, the whole history of military airlifters is told in context of the times. Except, as I neared the end, I realized the book was ending before the story was done. A bit of checking revealed that this was the first of 2 volumes, so I ordered vol. 2 as soon as it was announced. I can't wait for it to arrive. In the meantime, I am keeping this book at close hand so I can re-read my favorite sections. Great job!!