Few industrial phenomena have been as dramatic as the United States’ mid-20th-century shift from peacetime to wartime production. The American Aircraft Factory in World War II documents the production of legendary warbirds by companies like Boeing, North American, Curtiss, Consolidated, Douglas, Grumman, and Lockheed. It was a production unmatched by any other country and a crucial part of why the allies won the war. Author Bill Yenne considers the prewar governmental acts that got the plants rolling, as well as the gender shift that occurred as women entered the work force like never before. He also describes the construction of megafactories like Willow Run, factory design considerations, and the postwar conversion back to peacetime production. Illustrated with 175 period photographs—including 50 rare color photos never before seen in print.

The years of World War II saw the greatest single leap in US military aircraft technology and design, from the relatively fragile pre-war designs to the very edge of the supersonic era. Many remarkable aircraft came and went in quick succession with some missions and types disappearing altogether. Indeed, there were scores of little known or minimally documented aircraft projects that significantly advanced technology of aeronautics, propulsion, aircraft systems, avionics and weapons, while never achieving full-rate production and deployment. Focusing almost exclusively on official programs, experimental, prototype, limited production models and aircraft that actually entered development, American Aircraft Development of WWII, Special Types 1939-1945opens with the "state of the art" designs at the beginning of the war, continuing on to the advances during the conflict itself. These so-called "special types" are far less widely known than fighter and bomber designs, but no less important, and include armed photo reconnaissance aircraft, catapult-launched seaplanes, autogyros, tactical haulers and armed drones. Other designs covered include "one-off" experimental aircraft, rocket boost, floats and skis added to landplanes, fighters with second seats assed for training, engine testbeds, "oddballs" experiments and more. Illustrated throughout with 3-view drawings and rare photographs, many little-known and unusual aircraft and missiles, American Aircraft Development of WWII, Specialty Types 1939-1945tells the stories of engineering teams and test pilots struggling against short schedules and tight resources to develop new aircraft that pushed the bounds of technology. This book is a fitting testament to the epic and sometimes life-threatening accomplishments which were every bit as vital to the war effort as actual combat operations themselves.

This is a large format A-Z encyclopedia of every Allied and Axis fighting plane from 1933-1945 - from the famous to the lesser known - in all theatres of war from Europe to Asia and the Pacific.

Over 250 rare photographs depict one of the greatest industrial feats of all time: America's massive production of World War II fighters and bombers. An introduction and captions outline the history.