Out Now: The Big Book of USAF X-Bombers and X-Fighters

[Steve Pace]

I'm currently working on the book as follows:

THE BIG BOOK OF
X-BOMBERS & X-FIGHTERS
USAF Jet Powered Experimental Bombers and Fighters and Their Propulsive Systems

Foreword by Walter J. Boyne

It will have 100,000-plus words and at least 350 illustrations (200 mono, 150 color) with detailed captions.
Artworks by Giuseppe De Chiara

It is to be released on 1 June 2016 by Zenith Press of Minneapolis, MN.

When it's about ready to go to the publisher I'd like to have several of you knowledgeable SP contributors proof read it. If you're interested in doing this please contact me.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Steve Pace

 

[hesham]

Good news my dear Steve.

 

[Steve Pace]

So glad you approve! -SP

 

[Steve Pace]

Here's the current contents (subject to change):

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Foreword
01 – “Fire them up!”
XP-59A and YP-59A Airacomet and the XP-59B
XP-80, XP-80A, YP-80A, XP-80B (XP-80R), XF-14, XFP-80 and XFP-80A Shooting Star
XP-81
XP-83
XP-79 and XP-79B
XP-84, XP-84A and YP-84A Thunderjet; YF-84F (YF-96A) Thunderstreak; YRF-84F Thunderflash; XF-84H and YF-84J
XB-43 and YB-43
02 – Growing Pains
XB-45 Tornado
XB-46
XB-48
XP/XF-86, YF-86D (YF-95A), YF-86H and YF-86K Sabre Jet
YB-49 and YRB-49A
XB-47 Stratojet, YB-47C (YB-56), XB-47D
XP/XF-87 (XA-43) Blackhawk
XP/XF-89, YF-89A, YF-89D, YF-89E, YF-89F and YF-89H Scorpion
XP/XF-85 Goblin
XP-92 “Dart” and XF-92A
03 – “More’s the Pity”
XP/XF-88, XF-88A and XF-88B Voodoo
YF-94, YF-94A and YF-94C (YF-97A) Starfire and YF-94D
XB-53 (XA-44)
XP/XF-91 Thunderceptor, XF-91A and XF-91B
XB-51 (XA-45)
XP/XF-90 and XF-90A
YF-93A
XB-52 and YB-52 Stratofortress
YB-60
Propulsive Systems
Aerojet XCAL-200 and XCAL-2000
Allis-Chalmers J36
Allison J33, J35, XT31, XT38
Curtiss-Wright XLR27
Garrett AiResearch F104
Lockheed J37
Northrop-Hendy T37
General Electric I-A, I-14, I-16 and J31, J33, J35, J47, J53, J73, J79, J85, J93, YJ101, F110, F404, YF120, F-136
Packard V-1650
Pratt and Whitney J48, J57, J58, J75, JT15D, TF30, F-100, YF119 and F119, F135
Reaction Motors XLR11
Westinghouse J30, J34, J40, J46
Wright XJ67, XRJ55
04 – Enter the Century Series of Fighters
YF-100 Super Sabre
B-57A Canberra
YF-102 and YF-102A Delta Dagger
XF-104 and YF-104A Starfighter
B-66 Destroyer
F-101A and F-101B Voodoo
05 – Double Trouble
YF-105A and YF-105B Thunderchief
F-107A
B-58 Hustler and the XB-59
F-106A Delta Dart
XB-68
D-188A (“YF-109”)
06 – Triplesonic Marvels
XF-103
XF-108 and F-108A
YF-12A
XB-70A Valkyrie
07 – Advancing the State-of-the-Art
YF-4C (F-110A), YRF-4C (YRF-110A), YF-4E Phantom II
YF-5A (N-156F) Freedom Fighter and Fang
F-111A, FB-111A and F-111G, F-111H and the EF-111A Raven
F-15A Eagle
YF-16. F-16A Fighting Falcon
YF-17 “Cobra”
F-20A Tigershark
B-1B Lancer and B-1A
08 – Fifth- and Sixth-Generation Warfighters
F-117A Nighthawk
Have Blue
B-2A Spirit
Tacit Blue
YF-22
YF-23
Bird of Prey
F-22A Raptor
F-35A Lightning II
09 – Next Generation Bomber and Fighter
Long Range Strike Bomber
Next Generation Air Dominance
Conclusions
Timeline
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Bibliography and Sources
Index

 

[hesham]

Good stuff.

 

[sferrin]

How 'bout suggestions to add to the list?

XF-108
J89

 

[Steve Pace]

F-108's in there and that engine wasn't used by any of the aircraft in the book. Cheers, -SP

 

[sferrin]

F-108's in there and that engine wasn't used by any of the aircraft in the book. Cheers, -SP

How 'bout J75 & TF30? ;D Also, were you going to cover proposed variants? This book right here



mentions TF30 variants up to 30,000lbs thrust.

(I'm not complaining about the content you've already got planned. Just didn't know if these were accidentally left off the list or if it was by design.)

 

[Steve Pace]

The J75 and TF30 engines are in it as is the F-111 and proposed variants. -SP

 

[foiling]

Looks like it will be a really interesting, 'must buy' book.

 

[Steve Pace]

Thank you and I certainly hope so - I'm pouring my heart and soul into it. -SP

 

[sferrin]

Thank you and I certainly hope so - I'm pouring my heart and soul into it. -SP

I'll buy one.

 

[Steve Pace]

Good to hear! ;D

 

[Steve Pace]

SCOOP - My book will include some of Giuseppe De Chiara's fabulous artworks!!

 

[archipeppe]

I want to thanks Steve to give me the chance to cooperate with him, as small tease I enclose a taste of some my graphics that will be housed inside the book.

 

[gatoraptor]

I'll buy one.

+1!

But what about the early F-14s?

 

[Steve Pace]

I'll buy one.

+1!

But what about the early F-14s?

I'm sorry but as you know the F-14 was a USN fighter and only USAF fighters will be covered in this book. -SP

 

[lark]

On my wants list...

 

[ov-101]

For fighters part, can I find something different from Experimental and Prototype US Air Force Jet Fighters written by Dennis R. Jenkins and Tony Landis?

 

[foiling]

Artwork by Archipeppe is always fabulous. I cannot wait for this work.

 

[Steve Pace]

For fighters part, can I find something different from Experimental and Prototype US Air Force Jet Fighters written by Dennis R. Jenkins and Tony Landis?

Absolutely! -SP

 

[elmayerle]

Will the Propulsive Systems section cover any of the Allison TF41 variants, especially the afterburning ones they tested?

 

[Steve Pace]

Will the Propulsive Systems section cover any of the Allison TF41 variants, especially the afterburning ones they tested?

No I'm afraid not since none of the aircraft in the book used the TF41. -SP

 

[ov-101]

I am interested in aero engines very much, and I hope you will write more about them.

 

[gatoraptor]

But what about the early F-14s?

I'm sorry but as you know the F-14 was a USN fighter and only USAF fighters will be covered in this book. -SP

Aha! I see you've added "USAF" to the title. Thanks.

 

[sferrin]

Will the Propulsive Systems section cover any of the Allison TF41 variants, especially the afterburning ones they tested?

No I'm afraid not since none of the aircraft in the book used the TF41. -SP

USAF A-7D.

 

[Steve Pace]

The book doesn't cover attack types - just bombers and fighters. -SP

 

[bercr]

Hello Steve, I will buy your book for sure, because I'm only interested by this kind of aircraft.


Regarding the XP-80R, it seems that the correct designation is rather P-80R.


My sources : E.T. Wooldridge, Jenkins/Landis, the USAF Museum website (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=618&page=2) , and this photo : http://www.hartov.dk/yahoo/pic/pudding_levier_01.jpg

 

[Steve Pace]

Thanks so much for your tip - I'll check into this as it seems that you're correct. -SP

 

[Steve Pace]

Hello Steve, I will buy your book for sure, because I'm only interested by this kind of aircraft.


Regarding the XP-80R, it seems that the correct designation is rather P-80R.


My sources : E.T. Wooldridge, Jenkins/Landis, the USAF Museum website (http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=618&page=2) , and this photo : http://www.hartov.dk/yahoo/pic/pudding_levier_01.jpg

You are indeed correct - I had taken Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913 (Putnam) by Rene J. Francillon as being correct. Thanks so much! -SP

 

[elmayerle]

I'll buy one.

+1!

But what about the early F-14s?

I'm sorry but as you know the F-14 was a USN fighter and only USAF fighters will be covered in this book. -SP

Not even the different variants of the F-14 pitched to the USAF? I've seen pictures of a mock-up of a rather modified version pitched for the IMI competition as well as a much less modified version at a later date (there's at least one book out there that has a picture of a company display model in Thudnerbirds markings).

 

[Steve Pace]

No, I'm afraid not - no versions and/or proposals on USAF F-14s will be included. Sorry. -SP

 

[ov-101]

Why I can't find X-32 and X-35?

 

[Steve Pace]

Why I can't find X-32 and X-35?

Here's the revised contents:
Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction
01 – “Fire them up!”
Bell XP-59A, YP-59A Airacomet and the XP-59B
Sidebar 01-1: Lockheed L-133
Lockheed XP-80, XP-80A, XP-80B (P-80R), XF-14 (XFP-80) and XFP-80A Shooting Star
Convair XP-81 and YP-81
Bell XP-83
Northrop XP-79, MX-324, MX-334 and the XP-79B
Sidebar 01-2: MX-324 and MX-334 Ground Run and Flight Dates
Republic XP-84, XP-84A and YP-84A Thunderjet; YF-84 (YF-96) Thundersteak; YRF-84F Thunderflash; XF-84H “Thunderscreech” and the YF-84J “Thunderstreak II”
Sidebar 01-3: Special F-84 Projects Tip Tow, FICON and Tom-Tom
Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster
Sidebar 01-4: Douglas XB-42A
02 – Growing Pains
North American XB-45 Tornado
Convair XB-46
Martin XB-48
North American XP/XF-86, YF-86A, YP/YF-86C, YF-86D (YF-95), YF-86H and YF-86K Sabre Jet
Northrop YB-49 and YRB-49A
Boeing XB-47, YB-47C (YB-56A) and the YB-47D Stratojet
Curtiss XP/XF-87 (XA-43) Blackhawk
Northrop XP/XF-89, YF-89A, YF-89D, YF-89E, YF-89F and YF-89H Scorpion
McDonnell XP/XF-85 Goblin
Convair XP-92 “Dart” and the XF-92A
03 – “More’s the pity”
McDonnell XP/XF-88, XF-88A and XF-88B Voodoo
Lockheed YF-94, YF-94A, YF-94B and YF-94C (YF-97) Starfire and the YF-94D
Convair XB-53 (XA-44)
Republic XP/XF-91 Thunderceptor, XF-91A and XF-91B
Martin XB-51 (XA-45)
Lockheed XP/XF-90 and XF-90A
North American YF-93A
Boeing XB-52, YB-52 and XRB-52 Stratofortress
Boeing XB-55
Convair YB-60
Martin B-57 Canberra
Douglas B-66 Destroyer
Sidebar 3-1: The B for Bomber Missile and Rocket Fiasco
04 – Century Series
Sidebar 04-1: What Happened to the F-95, F-96, F-97, F-98 and F-99 Fighter Aircraft?
North American YF-100 Super Sabre
McDonnell F-101A and F-101B Voodoo
Convair YF-102, YF-102A, F-102B (F-106A) and YF-102C Delta Dagger
Lockheed XF-104 and YF-104A Starfighter
Republic YF-105A and YF-105B Thunderchief
Convair F-106A (YF-102B) Delta Dart
North American F-107A
05 – Propulsive Systems
Aerojet General XCAL-200 and XCAL-2000
Allis-Chalmers J36
Allison J33, J35, T31, T38
Curtiss-Wright XLR27
Garrett AiResearch F104
General Electric I-A, I-14, I-16 and J31, J33, J35, J47, J53, J73, J79, J85, J93, YJ101, F110, F404, YF120, F-136
Lockheed J37
Northrop-Hendy T37
Packard V-1650
Pratt and Whitney J48, J57, J75, J58, JT15D, F-100, YF119 and F119, F135, TF-30 and TF33
Reaction Motors XLR11
Westinghouse J30, J34, J40, J46
Wright Aeronautical T35, T47 and T49, YJ67, XRJ55
06 – Supersonic Wonders and Doublesonic Sensations
Martin XB-68
Convair B-58 Hustler
Boeing XB-59
Bell D-188A (“YF-109”)
Sidebar 06-1: Some Interesting Proposals
Republic AP-75 LRI
Northrop N-144 LRI
Northrop N-149 LRI with J79 engines
Northrop N-164 LRI (Preliminary Design Drawing P.D. 2689)
Northrop N-167 LRI mockup
Northrop N-167A LRI 1/10th scale wind tunnel model
Northrop N-176 MRI
North American NAR-349 IMI “Retaliator”
Douglas 1355 LRI
Sidebar 06-2: Northrop Fang
Northrop N-156F, YF-5A (N-156C), YF-5B (F-5B-21) Freedom Fighter
McDonnell YF-4C (F-110A “Spectre”) and YRF-4C (YRF-110A), YF-4E Phantom II
General Dynamics F-111A, FB-111A (F-111G) and FB-111H
Sidebar 06-3: What Happened to the F-112 Through F-116 Fighter Aircraft?
07 – Triplesonic Marvels
Republic XF-103
North American F-108A Rapier
Lockheed YF-12A (AF-12)
North American XB-70, XB-70A, XRB-70, YB-70B and XRS-70 Valkyrie
08 – Advancing the State-of-the-Art
McDonnell F-15A and F-15B (TF-15A) Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-15SE Silent Eagle
General Dynamics YF-16, F-16XL
Northrop YF-17 “Cobra”
Rockwell B-1A
Northrop F-20A (F-5G) Tigershark
Boeing B-1B Lancer
09 – Stealth Bombers and Fighters
Sidebar 09-1: Lockheed Have Blue
Lockheed YF-117A Nighthawk
Sidebar 09-2: What happened to the F-19?
Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit
Sidebar 09-3: Northrop Tacit Blue
Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics YF-22
Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23
Sidebar 09-4: Boeing Bird of Prey
Lockheed Martin F-22A, F/A-22A and F-22B Raptor, FB-22 (X-44 MANTA)
Sidebar 09-05: Boeing’s X-32A Joint Strike Fighter Prototype
Sidebar 09-06: Lockheed’s X-35A Joint Strike Fighter Prototype
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
Sidebar 09-07: What Happened to the F-24 Through F-34 Fighter Aircraft?
10 – Forthcoming Bomber and Fighter
Forthcoming Bomber
Forthcoming Fighter
Sidebar 10-1: Occupied versus Unoccupied Bombers and Fighters
Conclusions
Timeline
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Bibliography and Sources
Index

 

[gatoraptor]

Some of the "sidebars" look particularly interesting!

 

[Antonio]

Wonderful!

 

[lark]

I have your "X-planes - USAF Experimental & Prototype
Fighters XP-59 to YF-23" Motorbooks 1991
on my bookskelves.This book was already a revelation at the time.

This new greatly expanded book seems to be 'a must have'..

P.S. - Air Classics Feb.2013 mentiones and illustrates
two versions of the L-133 project..

 

[Steve Pace]

Thanks for your feedback, Lark! -SP

 

[lark]

The pleasure was all mine..

 

[elmayerle]

P.S. - Air Classics Feb.2013 mentiones and illustrates
two versions of the L-133 project..

APR's article on the L-133 has those, two (the more commonly known one and the one with wingtip rudders - I'll have to check, I may have copied a larger version of that image from LM's photo archives when I worked there).

Steve, another question if I may. Are you going to include info on proposed F-107 variants (for example, the two-seater and the single-seater with M61 replacing the four M39s)?