Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Simaril on July 09, 2004, 11:06:59 PM

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Simaril on July 09, 2004, 11:06:59 PM

OK, I'm interested in recommendations for technical references on WW2 aircraft and weapons systems. Already have some fair markings and operational history sources, but as I've dug in to the AH world I've realized I'm short on the aircraft engineering and performance stuff.

So, any thoughts about favorite books with climb rates, speed v altitude, weapons ballistics, roll rates and so forth? Or period tactical manuals, etc?

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: United on July 09, 2004, 11:13:31 PM

Ive got a great book of fighters that contains a lot of technical data about every fighter airplane ever flown, combat or not.  Im not sure what its called but ill post it here when I find it.

:edit:  found it, heres a link for it, http://www.chrysalisbooks.co.uk/books/book/1840652691  It says it is out of print, but ill look at more links to see if I can find it for you.

Here it is, you can buy it from here http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0831739398/qid=1089433035/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-4658197-7372645?v=glance&s=books#product-details

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: GtoRA2 on July 10, 2004, 12:58:50 AM

For US fighters of WW2, bar none the best book for the money is Americas hundred thousand, by Francis Dean.


Corsair The F4U in World War II and Korea   Barret Tillman
is a good one on the corsair.

I have my 330 books in a XLS file if you want titles and authers, email me if you want to take a look.


Lockheed P-38 Lightning   by Warren M Bodie is THE best book on the P-38.

email me at gtora2@gmail.com if you want the file.

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Blooz on July 10, 2004, 06:35:36 AM

Janes makes one that is exclusively WW2 aircraft.

I don't know how detailed it is though.

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Wilbus on July 10, 2004, 09:45:26 AM

Janes SUCK big time as for info on WW2 planes, they often make misstakes. They often make misstakes on modern day things aswell but not as much.

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: GtoRA2 on July 10, 2004, 08:15:52 PM

the Janes WW2 book I have is terrible,  it uses data from like 44, so much of it is wrong cause the info was still classified.

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 10, 2004, 08:53:05 PM

http://www.aeroplanebooks.com/

http://www.luftfahrt-archiv-hafner.de/

http://www.schifferbooks.com/

Here are a few really good sources to find out information on A/C.  

The Lufthart Archive has the original Luftwaffe manuals for sale.  Be warned though they are in German and the language in them is very technical.  They can be tough to translate correctly.

Crumpp

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Simaril on July 10, 2004, 09:16:21 PM

I read description of America's Hundred Thousand , and it sounds just like what I'm looking for -- info on variants, technical stuff like climb and roll rates, etc. Are there similar all in one books for other nations' aircraft?

I've ordered from aeroplane Books in VA before, good source for out of print stuff too. I'm familiar with Schiffer books mainly from the operational unit histories I've seen, not quite what I'm after. My german stops about with "Ja," "nein", and "gut."

If there are secific titles -- like that america's hundred thousand, great recommendation -- that you guys have found useful I'd love to hear of them.

thanks again for the help!

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 10, 2004, 09:40:07 PM

It's been my experience with technical publications that the more specific they are the better.  A "General" reference covering a variety of A/C is rarely going to be as good as one covering ONE A/C.

Which A/C are you interested in?


Crumpp

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Simaril on July 10, 2004, 10:37:07 PM

Well, I can hope. The America's Hundred Thousand does do a wide range with only one purchase necessary.....but its an unusal book.

I guess I'd liek to start with Fw190 and variants

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Karnak on July 10, 2004, 11:04:22 PM

America's Hundred Thousand is a great addition to your library.  It is better than the aircraft specific books I have seen for US aircraft.

Get it.

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 10, 2004, 11:06:07 PM

http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschiffer/book_template.php?isbn=076431940X

http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschiffer/book_template.php?isbn=0764318764


http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0750925485/wwwlink-software-21/026-9575637-5071661

http://www.aeroplanebooks.com/seriesCombatLegend.htm

http://www.aeroplanebooks.com/seriesSchi_Luft.htm


These are all technical pubs on the 190 series.  

Unfortunately the "190 bible"  is out of print and only comes in German.

Title: FOCKE WULF JAGDFLUGZEUG FW190A FW190 "DORA" TA152H
Writer: RODEIKE, PETER
Publisher: STRUVE-DRUCK
ISBN: 3-923 457-44-8
Language: German
Reading Status:
Rating: (Important Publication)
Description: This book focusses on the technical development and operations of the Fw190A, D and the Ta152H fighter aircraft. It contains a lot of photos of operational and development aircraft and gives details of represented aircraft and the operational careers.
Comments: This is a highly detailed publication covering every technical aspect of the aircraft concerned by presenting photos and drawings. The captions are very informative and detailed. Emphasis lies on the aircraft and not on the overall history.

 
For some good info on FW 190 operations get the Osprey book series "FW-190 Aces of the Western Front" and "Eastern Front".


Hope this gets you pointed in the right direction.

Crumpp

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 10, 2004, 11:09:48 PM

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1853104132/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/026-9575637-5071661


Had to add this one.  It is a great General Technical Reference on the Luftwaffe.

Crumpp

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: GtoRA2 on July 10, 2004, 11:37:32 PM

Karnak is right
 Americas hundred thoasand is better then most books on one model of the US fighters.


There are a few exceptions, like the books on the p-38 and p-47 by Bodie.

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: GtoRA2 on July 10, 2004, 11:46:38 PM

Crump
 I just picked wings of the luftwaffe up and was not all that impressed, interesting read, but he seemed to lump the performance of all 109s together, basing it on the G6.

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 11, 2004, 07:30:47 AM

Yeah that is why I lumped it as a "General" Reference.  What you will find in "Wings of the Luftwaffe" are the details of flying the A/C not present in either pilot anecdotes or strickly technical references.  

Crumpp

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Simaril on July 11, 2004, 08:33:29 AM

And while I'm at it, any technical or general refernces to recommend on USSR aircarft? Info more sparse, but I cant say I have even a foundation of knowledge there....

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 11, 2004, 09:18:52 AM

GtoRA2,

Cpt Eric Brown does not base his opinion off of ONE model of 109 BTW.  He only details the handling of ONE Model of 109 in the book.  A BF-109G6/U2 which fell intact into allied hands.  

His opinion is based off a "steady diet" of 109's.  From a 109E3 to a G14/AS.  It is in the chapter along with photographs of some of the many 109's the RAF flew in the Enemy Test Flight.

Simaril,

http://www.aeroplanebooks.com/seriesRedStar.htm

Your right though, VVS technical specs are rather thin.

For a Great History of the Ostfront Air War check out:

http://www.bergstrombooks.elknet.pl/bc-rs/

Only two volumes of the series have been printed and the third is on the way.  It is full of operational information and sprinkled with some some technical facts as well.

Crumpp

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Tony Williams on July 13, 2004, 02:10:46 AM

Ahem - if it's technical references on aircraft armament you're after, then if I weren't one of the authors I could recommend  'Flying Guns – World War 2: Development of Aircraft Guns, Ammunition and Installations 1933-45' by Anthony G Williams and Emmanuel Gustin :)

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and discussion
 forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 13, 2004, 05:49:26 AM

LOL

Hey Tony have you seen a ballistic chart on the MG151 and MG131 out of curiosity?  I noticed the Pilot's Manual for the FW-190A7 bis A9 has a ballistic chart and the Maintenance Manual covers the weaponry in detail.

Great site BTW

Crumpp

Title: russian & German aircraft
Post by: joeblogs on July 13, 2004, 08:14:01 AM

I'd try the two volume set Soviet Combat aircraft of the Second World War by Yefim Gorden and Dimitri Khasanov.

As for German planes, I am still partial to William Green's Warplanes of the Third Reich.

-blogs

Quote

Originally posted by Simaril
And while I'm at it, any technical or general refernces to recommend on USSR aircarft? Info more sparse, but I cant say I have even a foundation of knowledge there....

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Tony Williams on July 13, 2004, 10:09:26 AM

Quote

Originally posted by Crumpp
LOL

Hey Tony have you seen a ballistic chart on the MG151 and MG131 out of curiosity?  I noticed the Pilot's Manual for the FW-190A7 bis A9 has a ballistic chart and the Maintenance Manual covers the weaponry in detail.

Great site BTW

Crumpp

Thanks! I've got data tables but I'd be interested in the charts.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and discussion
 forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Crumpp on July 13, 2004, 10:27:38 AM

A German engineer and pilot friend of mine has my Pilots Manuals and Technical Manuals.  He is checking some of my translations and answering some questions.

Just in a quick glance over them it seemed the max ord on the MG151 was pretty high.  It did not appear to be a very flat shooting weapon ballistically.

Soon as I get them back I will email you the chart.  Again, Great site you have.

Crumpp

Title: Building Reference Library
Post by: Simaril on July 13, 2004, 04:55:33 PM

thanks for all the help guys-- you've been great!
:D