Comments: Hardcover, 228 pages, 234 color and 158 black-and-white photos, 164 color composite photos (aircraft images superimposed on background),

ISBN: 978-1-58007-227-4

Price: $44.95

Publisher: Specialty Press

From the publisher: Since the first days of rivalry between the Wright Brothers and Glenn Curtiss, manufacturers have been vying for lucrative military aircraft contracts and competing for prized long-term production runs, leading to many historic aircraft in subsequent generations. Simonsen focuses on the Cold War era as he chronicles the fly-off competitions that stock America’s military air arsenal, explaining the conduct of fly-off competitions, what the competing aircraft looked like during their trials, and what the losing aircraft would have looked like in operational markings had it actually won. The outcome of the competition is discussed, as the as the political maneuvering and subterfuge often involved in controversial contract awards. Beginning with the Boeing B-47 Stratojet and ending with today’s advanced unmanned craft, the book spans military aviation since World War II. Simonsen’s creative photo editing brings to life tantalizing  views of many might-have-been aircraft.

FSM says: Dramatic and unusual photos show rare views of a wide array of postwar aircraft, providing details as well as inspiration for modelers. Diorama and display ideas abound as aircraft are show in flight, on the tarmac, in testing, and on the assembly line. The author’s photo montages show exciting views of aircraft “in action,” imagining them in service, sometimes in distinctive (yet imaginary) color schemes. Excellent entertainment for American aerophiles everywhere.