This new addition to the highly successful 'Secret Projects' series adds a new dimension to the weird, wonderful and wacky ideas that were developed to conquer space

Five starred reviews! Mother-son team Jonah and Jeanette Winter bring to life one of the most secretive scientific projects in history—the creation of the atomic bomb—in this “astonishing…beautifully told” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book. At a former boy’s school in the remote desert of New Mexico, the world’s greatest scientists have gathered to work on the “Gadget,” an invention so dangerous and classified they cannot even call it by its real name. They work hard, surrounded by top security and sworn to secrecy, until finally they take their creation far out into the desert to test it, and afterward the world will never be the same.

Featuring the obscure, the unusual, the unbuilt and the unseen. The secret is out - Secret Projects is back. This is a new title in this highly acclaimed series, this time looking at concepts developed by the US aircraft industry in the years immediately prior to and during World War 2. This book includes and describes the major fighter and bomber proposals form the American aircraft industry which embrace various fighter and interceptor concepts, medium, heavy and intercontinental bombers, attack aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft, both for the USAF and US Navy. Particular emphasis is placed on 'Circular Proposals' - a system of submitting designs against requirements circulated around the industry by the Army Air Force in the 1930s and early 1940s. The illustrations show drawings and photographs of unbuilt designs merged with the history and photographs of real aeroplanes. Very little has been published previously about American projects from this time period and much of the material will not have been seen widely before. it will therefore be fascinating reading for all lovers of the previously highly successful 'Secret Projects' series and aviation historians.

This is an exciting new addition to the highly successful Secret Projects series, which examines some extraordinary flying wings and tailless aircraft projects. Designed and developed since the dawn of aviation, these aircraft still hold a great importance today, with many aviation enthusiasts eager to learn more about these remarkable aircraft, which provided the foundations for the modern aviation scene. Beginning with an analysis of the advantages of the flying wing, the author looks at why aerodynamicists have been attracted to this unique configuration since the earliest days of manned flight, highlighting a range of specific aircraft and relevant examples. Many aviation enthusiasts will delight in discovering the more intimate developmental details of familiar aircraft including the famous early glider Junkers and other World War 1 flying wing biplane designs.

Designs from Germany's aerodynamics engineers detail proposed military aircraft, including wing span and area, aspect ratio, length, height, weight, speed, and armament.

Surprisingly, secret Japanese planes of World War II remain an area that has been largely ignored due to scarcity of information. They do, however, have a large base of interest as unlike the majority of secret Luftwaffe programs that were resigned to the drawing board, the vast number of aircraft featured within this book actually flew or were in development. The book begins with an overview of the IJN and IJA through the early years to 1945, and their secret technical exchanges with the Luftwaffe throughout the war. It is divided into two sections dedicated to the two armed forces, with a total of 34 aircraft examined, each with its history, performance, and combat records laid out in an easy to read fashion. The book provides photographs, technical drawings, and stunning color renditions of the aircraft in combat. Notable emphasis is placed upon the supersonic kamikaze aircraft, the Amerika bomber, and the ways in which the Japanese improved on German technology, particularly the Me 262 and Komet. Secret Japanese armaments are also covered in detail, with information uncovered on guided missiles, rockets, and cannons. A gripping read for aviation and military enthusiasts around the world!

This eagerly awaited companion volume to the enormously popular volume on fighters looks at the might-have-been strategic German bombers. Filled with transatlantic jets and projects that were on the drawing board or in prototype form at the war's end. Full color action illustrations in contemporary markings and performance data tables show vividly what might have been achieved had the war continued beyond 1945.