Convair Advanced Designs II: Secret Fighters, Attack Aircraft and Unique Concepts 1929-1973
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Robert E Bradley
Publisher: Crécy Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-8597917-0-0
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 280
Convair designed some of the most interesting aircraft in the United States, ranging from sea planes to fast jet airliners. While often overshadowed by other well-known aviation companies, Convair played an important part in the evolution of American aviation and in aviation industry in San Diego. This latest title from Crécy Publishing examines a selection of Convair's designs from the late 1920s through to the early 1970s, with a focus on fighter and attack aircraft.
The book follows the history of Convair chronologically and is split into two main sections. The first is on the fighters, and this section takes up the lion's share of the book. Showing the origins of Convair, the first aircraft listed is the Thomas Morse XP-13, followed by a string of Vultee designs. While Convair was not an official name until 1954, it was the unofficial name of Consolidated Vultee, so this book features quite a few aircraft from those companies.
Each aircraft covered provides a short history of the type that includes its design evolution, construction, testing, and operational record, for those that got that far. Several remained on paper or in model form, but a few, like the F-102 and Vengeance, saw extensive operational service around the world. Complementing the text are plenty of photographs, many of which are company photos of very high quality.
The aircraft covered include:
Fighters | Attack Aircraft |
Thomas-Morse XP-13 Viper |
XBY-1 (Model 18) |
This is an interesting read provides some fascinating insight into aviation design throughout the mid-20th century. Convair pushed the envelope of aviation design more than once, and seeing some of their lesser known aircraft get coverage is good to see. My thanks to Specialty Press for the review copy.