Buttler, Tony American Secret Projects. Band 5: Fighters and Interceptors 1950 to 1980

This is a revised and expanded edition of a book published several years ago that deals with American fighter aircraft projects proposed between approximately 1950 and 1980. This timeframe is fluid, as some early projects originated in the late 1940s. At the other end of the scale, although the design competitions that led to the F-16, YF-17 and F-18 are covered in detail, some projects that followed these fighter aircraft are also included, so that the end of the period in 1980 is again only approximate. Projects from this point onwards are not covered, as much of the background information is still classified and is likely to remain so for a long time. It was an exciting time for the development of combat aircraft. During these years, jet propulsion finally replaced the propeller, wings took on completely new shapes, the sound barrier was broken and maximum speeds multiplied. It was a time when aviation technology was becoming increasingly complex, but before computers came to the aid of designers. This meant that new ideas were much more likely to be implemented on a trial and error basis. When an air force needed a new type of fighter aircraft, several design teams could therefore develop proposals that differed greatly from one another. The topics covered in detail in the seven chapters of the book include the search for a long-range interceptor, vertical take-off aircraft, developments in the naval sector and light combat aircraft. The appendices contain lists of all the projects developed and their specifications. A new separate appendix deals with the Canadian Avro CF-105 Arrow, which in many respects corresponded to the work undertaken in the USA on long-range interceptors and thus provides an interesting comparison.