Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft
 
 
- [v-vii] Table of Contents -
 
 
 
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
 

Part I - The Age of Propellers.
 
 
Chapter 1.
Introduction.
 
 
Chapter 2 - Design Exploration, 1914-18.
Background.
Fighter Aircraft.
Heavy Bombers.
Army Cooperation Aircraft.
The Heritage of World War I.
 
Chapter 3 - The Lean Years, 1918-26.
Background.
Transport Developments in Europe.
High-Speed Racing Aircraft.
 
Chapter 4 - Design Revolution, 1926-39.
Background.
Record Flights.
Monoplanes and Biplanes.
Synergistic Developments.
General Aviation at End of Decade.
 
 
Chapter 5 - Design Refinement, 1939-45.
Background.
Aerodynamic Problems and Refinements.
Examples of World War II Aircraft.
 
 
Chapter 6 - Design Maturity, 1945-80.
Background.
Transport Aircraft.
General Aviation Aircraft.
 
 
Chapter 7 - Design Trends.
Introduction.
Maximum Speed.
Stalling Speed, Wing Loading, and Maximum Lift Coefficient.
Power Loading.
Zero-Lift Drag Coefficient and Skin Friction Parameter.
Maximum Lift-Drag Ratio.
 
 
Chapter 8 - Boats in the Sky.
Background.
Design Considerations.
Early Military Flying Boats, 1914-20.
Biplane Flying-Boat Developments, 1920-30.
Two Amphibian Developments.
Design Transformation, 1930-40.
Boats at War, 1940-45.
Twilight of an Era, 1945.
Comparative Aerodynamic Efficiency.
 
 

Part II - The jet Age.

 
 
Chapter 9
Introduction.
 
 
Chapter 10 - Technology of the Jet Airplane.
Background.
Jet Propulsion.
Turbojet and Turbofan Systems.
Wings and Configurations for High-Speed Flight.
High-Lift Systems.
 
 
Chapter 11 - Early Jet Fighters.
Background.
Pioneer Jet Fighters.
The Swept Wing Emerges.
Through the Transonic Range.
Fighters of the 1960's.
Contemporary Fighters.
Design Trends.
 
 
Chapter 12 - Jet Bomber and Attack Aircraft.
Background.
Early jet Bombers.
The Long-Lived Stratofortress.
Two Pioneering Explorations.
Search for a New Strategic Bomber.
An Air Force Night Intruder.
Three Navy Attack Aircraft.
Close-Air-Support Aircraft.
Conclusion.
 
 
Chapter 13 - Jet Transports.
Background.
Pioneer Transports.
First-Generation Transports.
Second-Generation Transports.
Wide-Body Transports.
New Transports of the 1980's.
Dedicated Cargo Transports.
Conclusion.
 
 
Chapter 14 - Business Jet Aircraft.
Background.
Configuration Features.
Representative Aircraft Types.
 
 
- Appendices -
 
 
Appendix A. Physical and Performance Data.
Table I. Characteristics of Illustrative Aircraft, 1914-18.
Table II. -Characteristics of Illustrative Aircraft, 1918-39.
Table III. Characteristics of Illustrative Aircraft, 1939-80.
Table IV. Characteristics of Illustrative Flying Boats.
Table V. Characteristics of Illustrative Jet Fighter Aircraft.
Table VI. Characteristics of Illustrative Jet Bombers and Attack Aircraft.
Table VII. Characteristics of Illustrative Jet Transport Aircraft.
Table VIII. Characteristics of Illustrative Business Jet Aircraft.
 
Appendix B.
Symbols and Abbreviations.
 
Appendix C.
Estimated-Aerodynamic-Parameters.
 
Appendix D.
Biplane Terminology.
 
Appendix E.
Mass-Flow Rate, Thrust, and Propulsive Efficiency.
 
Appendix F.
Estimation of Overall Propulsion-System Efficiency.
 
Appendix G.
Reserve-Fuel Requirements for Transport Aircraft.
 
Appendix H.
FAR Landing and Takeoff Field Lengths.
 
 
References.
About the Author.
 

Cover photos: On the cover (left to right): British Sopwith F.1 Camel fighter (photo by William T Larkins, courtesy off American Aviation Historical Society); North American P-51D fighter (photo by Peter C Boisseau); North American XB-70A supersonic bomber (photo courtesy of North American Aviation).

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