American Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers of World War

This book includes and describes the major fighter and bomber proposals from the American aircraft industry for the period roughly 1937-1945. These embrace various fighter and interceptor concepts, medium, heavy and intercontinental bombers, attack aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft, both for the USAAF and US Navy. Particular emphasis is placed on 'Circular Proposals' - a system of submitting designs against requirements circulated around 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.

“"The first volume of American Secret Projects is a ripping read. I really enjoyed it. And I eagerly await the sequel."”

The first volume of American Secret Projects is a ripping read. I really enjoyed it. And I eagerly await the sequel.--David L. Veres "Cybermodeler Online" (12/17/2015 12:00:00 AM)

A metallurgist by trade, Tony Buttler developed a growing interest in archives and historical records and took a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science before becoming a full time aviation historian. Since 1995 he has had numerous articles published by most of the major aviation journals and has written three acclaimed volumes in the 'British Secret Projects' series. Tony has always lived in the Vale of Evesham, near the Cotswold Hills, an area which sees a remarkable variety of aircraft pass through its airspace. Alan Griffith is an aviation author/illustrator/researcher who is known for the depth and quality of his research and writing and his fidelity to detail in his illustrations. Prior to applying his research abilities to writing books, Alan Griffith spent nearly twenty years as an aviation consultant to the military model kit industry with some 30+ kits to his credit, and also owned his own model and decal companies. He is a prize-winning modeler and has been a Regional and National Judge with the IPMS/USA (International Plastic Modelers Society) as well as Program Presenter.

With all that has been written and rewritten about the United States' combat aircraft of WWII, it is nothing short of astounding how little has been put in print about the dozens of aircraft designs that were rejected to get there. Of the over two dozen different combat aircraft produced in quantity, only two had already been designed, accepted and committed to production by 1937. And yet by December 7, 1941 all the others had been designed, placed in competition against other designs, selected and in many cases the earliest variants were under production. Everything from the P-40 to the B-36 came to fruition during that period. Taking it all the way to 1945 brings us a dizzying array of aircraft designs and types. For instance, between 1942 and 1944, Boeing submitted no fewer than eight multi-engine, intercontinental bomber designs for consideration by the USAAF - ALL with wingspans over 200ft, one with a span of a whopping 277ft! The Navy competition that resulted in the F7F had more than a dozen different design submissions from roughly half a dozen manufacturers. And there are the virtually unknown Vought "flying flapjack" series of designs, including one fighter and one attack aircraft for the USAAF. Internationally-known authors Tony Buttler and Alan Griffith have dug deeply into original files to provide specifications, histories and hundreds of photos, artist illustrations and 3-view drawings - many redrawn for clarity from the original factory submissions - to provide a detailed look at the creative genius of American designers that has remain hidden for over 70 years. American Secret Projects is filled not only with aircraft that historians, aircraft enthusiasts and modelers have never heard of, but many they've never dreamed of.

This is the first volume in the highly acclaimed American Secret Projects series. This book looks at fighter and bomber concepts developed by the U.S. aircraft industry for the USAAF and Navy in the years immediately prior to and during World War 2.

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