Books published by CKE Publications

Designed by Douglas Aircraft Co.'s brilliant engineer Ed Heinemann, the turbojet powered, delta-wing A-4 Skyhawk played akey role in conflicts from Vietnam to the Falklands and Yom Kippur Wars. The Skyhawk was intended to replace the venerable Skyraider as a carrier-based, ground attack aircraft, yet Heinemann's design looked nothing like its predecessor. Its small, lightweight airframe was so compact that its wings did not even have to be folded for carrier stowage, and it surpassed the Navy's design specification for weight by nearly 100%. No wonder thenimble jet was dubbed "Heinemann's Hot Rod". The A-4 entered service in 1956, and first saw combat during the early days of the Vietnam War where it flew as a light attack aircraft. Its service in S.E. Asia was prolific, as it flew literally thousands of strike and escort missions and even scored an air-to-air victory over a NorthVietnamese MiG. A Marine A-4 is believed to be the last American aircraft to drop bombs on Vietnam. During the conflict 362 Skyhawks were lost. The Navy retired the Skyhawk in 1975, although it continued flying as a trainer and adversary aircraft as late as 2003.Nearly 3,000 Skyhawks were built before production ceased in 1979, including a two-seat trainer model TA-4. The Skyhawk waswidely exported and saw combat with theair forces of Kuwait, Israel and Argentina. This pilot's manual was originally classified "restricted" but has now been declassified and is here reprinted in book form

North American Aviation's X-15 rocket plane flew at Mach 6.72 and at altitudes above 67 miles -- at the threshold of space. The men who piloted this amazing plane became the USAF's first astronauts. Powered by an XLR-99 engine capable of producing 70,000 pounds of thrust at peak altitude, the X-15 pushed the flight envelope for manned aircraft past the post office. Notably, both Apolloastronaut Neil Armstrong and Space Shuttle commander Joe Engle piloted theX-15. Originally published by North American for the USAF and later NASA, this Flight Operating Handbook represents a 1963 update of the original version first printed in 1961. Just recently declassified, it provides a revealing look into one of history's great planes. Also included in this edition is a rare X-15 rescue manual made for the plane's ground crew. Please note: due to the archival nature of some portions of the original documents, image and text quality may vary. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The U.S. Navy's front line, land-based maritime patrol aircraft, the Lockheed P-3 Orion is a highly capable anti-submarine warfare platform. Conceived as a replacement for the P-2 Neptune and P-5 Marlin, the P-3 first flew in 1961. It was loosely based on the design of the Lockheed L-188 Electra passenger aircraft. Equipped with four Allison T56 turboprop engines, the P-3 has the speed of a fast propeller-powered fighter and a range of nearly 2,400 nautical miles. It can remain on station at 1500 feet for three hours with a range of 1,300 nm. The aircraft typically carries a crew of three pilots, two naval flight officers, two flight engineers, three sensor operators and a technician. Armament typically includes up to 20,000 pounds of missiles including the AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-84H/K and AGM-65F Maverick.The P-3 has provided reliable service to the U.S. and other navies including Germany, Japan, Canada, and South Korea. In addition to Cold War submarine tracking, its missions have included enforcing the blockade of Cuba during the 1962 crisis, coastal patrols in the Vietnam War, and targeting of Iraqi naval elements during the Gulf War. Over several decades of service, the P-3 has received several major updates, and more than forty variants have been developed. It is expected to remain in service for the U.S. Navy until at least 2013 when the P-8 Poseidon begins deployment. This P-3 Orion pilot's manual was originally "restricted". It has been declassified and has now been reprinted in books form.

Grumman's A-6 Intruder served as the Navy's pre-eminent all-weather, medium attack aircraft from 1963 to 1997. Nearly 700 were built. The Intruder was aptly named, as the A-6 quickly proved it could perform its mission -- flying low and alone in any weather - better than any aircraft of its era. Known for its versatility, the subsonic Intruder also gained a workhorse reputation due to its range, ability to carry vast quantities of ordnance and fuel, and its day and night striking capability.The A-6 served with distinction in Vietnam, where it dropped more ordnance than the B-52. Flying low-level raids, the aircraft was susceptible to ground fire. 84 Intruders were lost, but the toughness of the planes and their pilots made them legendary, and inspired the book and film The Flight of the Intruder. In the years after Vietnam, the aircraft built on its reputation. It served in the skies over Lebanon in support of United Nations actions and flew punitive raids on Libya in 1986, neatly evading over 100 guided missiles in the process. During Operation Desert Storm, the plane logged more than 4,700 combat sorties. The A-6 was retired by the Marine Corps. in 1993, and by the U.S. Navy in 1997. A variant, the EA-6B electronic warfare platform continues to fly. This pilot's manual for the A-6 was originally printed by Grumman and the U.S. Navy. Originally classified "restricted", it has now been declassified and is here reprinted in book form.

Designed as a replacement for the U.S. Navy's F2H Banshee, the McDonnell F3H Demon fighter served with the fleet for nearly a decade, including during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although it could not fly at supersonic speeds, the Demon served admirably as an all-weather interceptor and flew alongside the F8U Crusader and F11F Tiger. Armed with up to four 20mm cannons, the aircraft could also fire Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. Over 500 Demons were built. The planes were dubbed "The Chair" by pilots due to its high-visibility cockpit, but it was also called the "lead sled" due to its poor power to weight ratio. The Demon was replaced by the F-4 Phantom in 1964.Originally printed by McDonnell and the U.S. Navy, this F3H Demon Pilot's Flight Operating Instruction manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Originally classified "Restricted", the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form.

Please note: this is volume two of a two volume set. You must purchase both books to have a complete manual.The U.S. Navy's front line, land-based maritime patrol aircraft, the LockheedP-3 Orion is a highly capable anti-submarine warfare platform. Conceived as a replacement for the P-2 Neptune and P-5 Marlin, the P-3 first flew in 1961. It was loosely based on the design of the L-188 Electra passenger aircraft. Equipped with four Allison T56 turbo-prop engines, the P-3 has the speed of a fast propeller-powered fighter and a range of nearly 2,400 nautical miles. It can remain on station at 1500 feet for three hours with a range of 1,300 nm. The aircraft typically carries three pilots and a crew of eight. Armament capacity is up to 20,000 pounds and can include the AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-84H/K and AGM-65F Maverick.The P-3 has provided reliable service to the U.S. and its allies. In addition to Cold War submarine tracking, its missions have included enforcing the blockade of Cuba during the 1962 crisis, coastal patrols in the VietnamWar, and targeting of Iraqi naval elements during the Gulf War. Over the decades the P-3 has received several major up-dates, and more than forty variants have been developed. It is expected to remain in service for the U.S. Navy until at least 2013 when the P-8 Poseidon begins deployment. This pilot's manual was originally created by Lockheed and the U.S. Navy. It has been declassified and is here made available in book form.

The XF-11 was originally conceived as a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft, capable of high-speed penetration of enemy defenses. The plane's design benefitted from research work by its builder, the brilliant and sometimes mercurial Howard Hughes. Inspired by an experimental aircraft he had created known as the DX-2, Hughes' XF-11 was a twin-engine, twin-boom, tricycle gear monoplane that featured a pressurized nacelle for its crew and 28-cylinder engines with contra-rotating props.Hughes piloted the XF-11 on its maiden flight, and was nearly killed when one of the props reversed its pitch and the plane crashed. After Hughes recovered from his injuries, he piloted a second prototype outfitted with conventional props. By then the Air Force had already made up its mind: the XF-11 would never enter service.Originally printed by Hughes and the Air Force this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of this plane. This manual is declassified. Please note: due to the archival nature of this document, print quality can vary.

The definitive technical guide to the submarines of World War II, "The Fleet Type Submarine" was originally published in 1946. Originally classified secret, this legendary book has never been available to the public until now. The Fleet Type Submarine uses the Balao-class USS Perch SS313 to explain submarine operating principles, technologies, and systems. It contains numerous diagrams and photos and offers definitions of components and terminology. It provides descriptions of various systems such as ballast tanks, trim, ventilation and steering. It also contains a brief history of the submarine and a discussion of patrol routines. This book is the most complete technical guide to the boats that won WWII in the Pacific. Nothing close to it was ever assembled before, or since. This affordable reprint comes in a soft bound edition with attractive covers. Although some of the book has been reformatted, and color images are reproduced in black and white, all of the original content is preserved. (A color supplement is also available). This is a must-have for anyone interested in submarines and an important reference for any historian, docent, or modeler.

Originally created in 1911 by the publishers of Machinery Magazine, Locomotive Building details the construction of a steam locomotive for railway use. Written by famed mechanical engineer Ralph E. Flanders (who later became a U.S. Senator from Vermont), the book remains one of the definitive works on the subject. Aside from a wonderful descriptive text, the book contains dozens of illustrative diagrams and rare photographs of the Pennsylvania Railroad's Juniata Machine Shops at Altoona, AKA the Altoona Works. Originally published in the for of six pamphlets, this complete edition represents the first new edition of this important book in nearly 100 years. In its pages you'll find descriptions of all locomotive systems and their functions, including side rods, boiler, wheels, axle and driving boxes, frames and cylinders, valve motion, shop practice and more.