Potential New "Secret Projects" books

[Orionblamblam]

Military Space Projects is definitely begging for an update. Lots of developments since 2008. Not the least of which is the creation of the USSF. Not to mention developments from Russia, China, and other space powers. As well as private corporations like SpaceX launching military payloads. Definitely room for an updated volume.

Difficulty: how much has actually come out of the black world beyond speculation? There might well be a bagrillion neato space weapon projects since 2008, but if they're all classified, there's not going to be much to write about.

 

[Orionblamblam]

There also needs to be a market to sell them to, and an author willing to put in years of research, preferably located in the right country. I get your enthusiasm but really this is frankly all irrelevant.

Unless there's a sugardaddy willing to throw large sums at the development of these books, they would require that the author had *already* spent years researching them, on his own time, on his own dime. And very likely not with the intent of writing a profitable book, but because he's an obsessive weirdo who spent his vacation time and money visiting archives rather than beaches.

 

[Thos9]

The P3306 project and the first Atars both had a 7-stage compressor and single-stage turbine and thrust of 1700kg. The 018 had a 12-stage compressor and 3-stage turbine.

 

[Ingraman]

I would love a "Vought Secret Projects" like book... similar to the Tony Chong one for Northrop. Vought archives have been researched pretty well.

PS I'm an obsessive weirdo and I would love visiting archives rather than beaches.

 

[Calum Douglas]

I'd propose coming at it from the other angle, list the available archive material and decide what's viable to actually write something new on... I bet there are half a dozen members on this forum who between them basically know which topics (at least UK based) actually have archive files on them remaining untapped. I could certainly tell you in five minutes flat which piston engines that applies to of someone asked (1920 to 1946 ish )

The most frustrating thing is archive files which are so absurdly protected that they effectively don't exist. Like .... No I shouldn't say.

 

[Hood]

I'd propose coming at it from the other angle, list the available archive material and decide what's viable to actually write something new on... I bet there are half a dozen members on this forum who between them basically know which topics (at least UK based) actually have archive files on them remaining untapped. I could certainly tell you in five minutes flat which piston engines that applies to of someone asked (1920 to 1946 ish )

Yep then we need to just convince the publishers that there are enough beach-eschewing nerds to warrant marketing the said topics.

I wonder if the author who writes the millionth Spitfire book will get some kind award? Have there been more Spitfire books written than Spitfires actually built?

 

[Calum Douglas]

I'd propose coming at it from the other angle, list the available archive material and decide what's viable to actually write something new on... I bet there are half a dozen members on this forum who between them basically know which topics (at least UK based) actually have archive files on them remaining untapped. I could certainly tell you in five minutes flat which piston engines that applies to of someone asked (1920 to 1946 ish )

Yep then we need to just convince the publishers that there are enough beach-eschewing nerds to warrant marketing the said topics.

I wonder if the author who writes the millionth Spitfire book will get some kind award? Have there been more Spitfire books written than Spitfires actually built?

The spitfire stopped being an actual aircraft decades ago. It's now virtually a mythical creature, and hence (much as I do respect and love it) it's turned into a franchise.

With regards to the approach I mentioned... Its basically what worked for Morton's with my book. Once you step off the "Harry potter aviation gravy train" I think what sells is new finds, not rehashing. So I think cause for optimism exists. Having said that, intelligent "packaging" of said aircraft inside some sort of narrative framework definitely helps....or at least "it worked for me" to get readers to accidentally find themselves reading really obscure aviation facts and keep them from remembering they're supposed to be bored whilst doing it ... Hahaha

 

[CJGibson]

I've been looking after aviation's beaten ginger step-children for years. I still have a day job and a die-cast Lambo.

There are outlets for the interesting (well, what I find interesting) but at the end of the day, Spitfire books have a market. Aunties will always buy their nephews books with a Spitfire on the cover (I've only recently convinced auntie to buy me beer). I take the view that these were hopefully 'gateway' books leading to an interest in other types and such like.

Chris

 

[Justo Miranda]

My specialty is little-known experimental aircraft and forgotten aeronautical projects, practically archaeology. For more than thirty years I have published drawings and reconstructions of all kinds of strange machines, but the Spit will always be my first love... I drew it at school at the age of ten. If you want to know why you watch these videos
Almost no one in Dunkirk saw them but they were there, entering History.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF0arwflTV0

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRFCMDNKG2o

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ycVIGqnLO8

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtibK6xBBiE

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN5jYIbJTdA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF0arwflTV0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Dz05rY5UY