Books by United States Army Air Force

As late as 1940, the majority of Army Air Force trainees received flight lessons in biplanes such as the PT-17. The advent of high-performance combataircraft led the USAAF to seek a new plane for primary training, that would better simulate a modern fighter aircraft. Fairchild's M62, a two-seat monoplane with a higher stalling speedthat required careful flying, beat out 17 competitors for the job. Designated PT-19, the rugged aircraft was produced in large quantities beginning in 1941. The basic model was equipped with a 200 hp Ranger engine, had a 36'wingspan, and could achieve 132 mph in flight. Variants included the PT-19B designed for instrument training, the PT-23 which had a 220 hp Continental radial power-plant, and the PT-26 "Cornell" which featured an enclosed cockpit. By war's end PT-19s and variants were built by Fairchild, Aeronca, Howard, St. Louis Aircraft Corp. and Fleet Aircraft. The USAAF accepted over 6000 PT-19s and variants, and Cornells flew forthe air forces of Canada, Norway, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile and many other nations. This pilot's flight handbook dates from 1943, and covers the PT-19, PT-19A, PT-19B, PT-23 and PT-26. Originally restricted, it was declassified long ago, and is reprinted here in its entirety.

The Boeing B-29 was one of the most sophisticated aircraft of WWII. It featured many innovations including guns that could be fired by remote control and pressurized crew compartments. It was also the heaviest production plane of the war with terrific range and bomb carrying capabilities. Carrying a crew of ten, the Superfortress devastated Japan in a series of gigantic raids in 1944-45. In the end it would be the B-29s "Enola Gay" and "Bock's Car" that dropped the atomic bombs and effectively ended the conflict. Originally printed by the United States Army Air Force in January of 1944, this B-29 Bomber Pilot's Flight Operating Manual taught pilots everything they needed to know about the "Superfort" Originally classified "Restricted", the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted, and color images appear as black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.

In April of 1942, sixteen American bombers raided Tokyo, Japan. The planes were land-based B-25 Mitchells, audaciously launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, and led by Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle. The attack caused little actual damage, but dealt a serious blow to Japanese morale. More importantly, it gave hope to an American public still reeling from Pearl Harbor. Manufactured by North American Aviation, the B-25 saw service in every theatre of WWII. It carried a crew of six, and could loft a maximum load of 6,000 pounds of bombs. Originally printed by North American and the U.S. Army Air Force, this Flight Operating Handbook taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified "Restricted", the manual was declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been slightly reformatted. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.