Aviation Records in the Jet Age: The Planes and Technologies Behind the Breakthroughs - Hardcover

FLANAGAN, WILLIAM

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1580072305 ISBN 13: 9781580072304

Publisher: CRECY PUBLISHING LIMITED, 1900

Synopsis

Since aviation's early years, pilots, designers, and manufacturers have sought to break world records for notoriety or technical advancement, which captivated the public. This book tells of famous record-breaking flights throughout history, focusing on the exciting time following World War II when new speed, altitude, and endurance records were broken on an almost-routine basis. Supplementing these stories are detailed explanations of the technological innovations that made those record-breaking aircraft possible.

From swept wings to afterburning turbojet engines, and "Coke-bottle" fuselages to high-altitude pressure suits, aviation progress has always been measured with breakthrough advances in the technology of flight. This book, written by a former crewmember of the triplesonic SR-71 Blackbird, takes you through the annals of aviation history with spellbinding stories of world-record flights and explanations of how advanced technology played a pivotal role in making these records happen.

Illustrated with excellent archival photographs and technical illustrations, this book explains in detailed, but easy-to-understand, terms how specific advances in aircraft design such as powerplants, aerodynamics, flight control systems, instrumentation, and life-support systems led to ever-improved record-breaking aircraft. The appendix serves as a handy reference guide that documents world speed, altitude, and distance records as well as the legendary aircraft and pilots who flew them.

About this title

Review:

"This book hits full stride and never lets up."--Philip Handleman"Aviation History" (10/12/2017)

"I really appreciated William A. Flanagan's book and his ability to weave in aviation technological developments into the record breaking achievements. What really makes this book a good, easy read is the detail that he is able to provide both from a technical standpoint and the clarity that he presents this information so that it is easy to comprehend."-- (04/23/2017)

"Specialty Press has produced an entertaining and informative popular history. Make it your introduction to the fascinating field of aerospace records."-- (08/14/2017)

From the Back Cover:

Throughout history, aviators have sought to break world records for notoriety or technical advancement, captivating the aviation industry and the mass public worldwide. International and inter-service rivalries made these record attempts even more fascinating, but how was all this possible?

This book tells of famous record-breaking flights throughout history, focusing on the years following World War II when new speed, altitude, and endurance records were routinely broken every month. Illustrated with detailed archival photographs, this book explains how specific advances in aeronautical design such as powerplants, aerodynamics, flight control systems, and human factors led to ever-improved record-breaking aircraft.

About this edition

• Publisher: CRECY PUBLISHING LIMITED
• Publication date: 1900
• ISBN 10: 1580072305
• ISBN 13: 9781580072304
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160