- Unknown Binding
- Publisher: Seattle City Light (1991)
- Language English
- ASIN: B0006DHKXG
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
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First Sentence
It's August 1979 on the scorching Nevada desert, where Marines armed with ground-to-air Hawk missiles are trying to score a "kill" against my new airplane, an experimental prototype code-named Have Blue. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
It's August 1979 on the scorching Nevada desert, where Marines armed with ground-to-air Hawk missiles are trying to score a "kill" against my new airplane, an experimental prototype code-named Have Blue. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ben Rich and Leo Janos have crafted a book that will interest any aeronautical enthusiast. With the right amount of science and technology the history of the stealth development unfolds. The politics of the 1970's sets the scene and the main players take you into the world of black operations at Skunk works, Groom Lake, better known as Area 51. The development of the Blackbird, U2, and F104 are thrown in for good measure along with tit-bits on the Hustler, F111 and much more. I should point out here that for anyone interested in back engineering and alien technology this is not the book for you.
The authors take you from the original idea of a Russian scientist, Pyotr Ufimtsev through its development by an American Denys Overholser at the Skunk works into a general idea for a radar invisible plane. This concept is then turned into a model and eventually a prototype that has a radar signal the size of a small ball bearing! The proof of the technology came with the use of stealth aircraft during the Gulf Wars.
The cut and thrust of the politics, bureaucracy, secrecy and day to day work at the skunk works complete with its own Lockhead characters keep you entertained. The development of major projects is described to you as though you were a prospective aircraft buyer about to place an order for a job lot of F117-s. The skunk works golden rules of manufacture are discussed with you, with examples and you feel you are on a joint venture. Snapshots of life at McDonald Douglas, General Dynamics, Northrop and Rockwell are woven in for good measure.
The book is focused on the development of American aircraft and this is reflected in the attitudes and language of the authors. I felt they were trying to sell me personally whatever was in the pipeline for the next generation of bombers. I would have appreciated more supporting photographs to show more of the development of the aircraft but I guess there is only so much you can give away. Unfortunately, once you have got into the book it is over all too quickly.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in aircraft, radar or an engineering background.
The authors take you from the original idea of a Russian scientist, Pyotr Ufimtsev through its development by an American Denys Overholser at the Skunk works into a general idea for a radar invisible plane. This concept is then turned into a model and eventually a prototype that has a radar signal the size of a small ball bearing! The proof of the technology came with the use of stealth aircraft during the Gulf Wars.
The cut and thrust of the politics, bureaucracy, secrecy and day to day work at the skunk works complete with its own Lockhead characters keep you entertained. The development of major projects is described to you as though you were a prospective aircraft buyer about to place an order for a job lot of F117-s. The skunk works golden rules of manufacture are discussed with you, with examples and you feel you are on a joint venture. Snapshots of life at McDonald Douglas, General Dynamics, Northrop and Rockwell are woven in for good measure.
The book is focused on the development of American aircraft and this is reflected in the attitudes and language of the authors. I felt they were trying to sell me personally whatever was in the pipeline for the next generation of bombers. I would have appreciated more supporting photographs to show more of the development of the aircraft but I guess there is only so much you can give away. Unfortunately, once you have got into the book it is over all too quickly.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in aircraft, radar or an engineering background.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To any one interested in engineering, creativity, aeroplanes, science or technology this is a must read on how to challenge and mostly triumph over military and government imbecility. Ben's description of the secret service conficating ball bearings because they had been classified top secret will stay with me forever as an example of how a bureaucracy can so completely miss the point.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ben Rich describes his time at the Skunk Works, Lockheed's facility for designing and producing high performance, specialised military planes. He starts with the development of the stealth fighter, the first major project he took on after taking the reigns from the legendary Clarence "Kelly" Johnston. The technology behind the planes is described in plain language as is how the project came about and the development of the idea to a successful plane.
After this he returns to how he joined Skunk Works and other projects the Skunk Works handled, such as the U2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird. These are fascinating as each of them was dealing with creating something on the edge of our technological capabilities with many difficult challenges to overcome. In explaining the operation of the Skunk Works Ben gives a passing insight as to why they were successful and able to achieve so much. It doesn't quite go so far as explaining how to set-up a similar operation rather gives pointers to areas to consider. Also described are the politics and current events of the time which place developments in perspective. It also gives background information and analysis about well known events, such as the shooting down of the first U2 plane. Throughout the book there are contributions by others involved in the project; test pilots, air force commanders, politicians and other Skunk workers.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with a passing interest in aviation or people who like a well written account of working in an innovative area pushing technology to the limits.
After this he returns to how he joined Skunk Works and other projects the Skunk Works handled, such as the U2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird. These are fascinating as each of them was dealing with creating something on the edge of our technological capabilities with many difficult challenges to overcome. In explaining the operation of the Skunk Works Ben gives a passing insight as to why they were successful and able to achieve so much. It doesn't quite go so far as explaining how to set-up a similar operation rather gives pointers to areas to consider. Also described are the politics and current events of the time which place developments in perspective. It also gives background information and analysis about well known events, such as the shooting down of the first U2 plane. Throughout the book there are contributions by others involved in the project; test pilots, air force commanders, politicians and other Skunk workers.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with a passing interest in aviation or people who like a well written account of working in an innovative area pushing technology to the limits.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
fantastic peak behind the secrecy of the Skunk Works
Tremendous description of the development of aircraft such as the U2, SR71 Blackbird and F117A. The story has a fantastic flow and there are some little technical nuggets of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dr G
A superb account...
Having always been fascinated by the amazing technical achievements of the Skunk Works I decided to buy this book actually expecting it to be a little dry in places. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Adam
Absolute Genius
I don't know a great deal about aircraft, but i know enough to have a passing interest, and to see that Ben Rich and Kelly Johnson were pioneers of aviation, and genius in their... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Snood
A thrilling ride!
What a cracking book. If only histories of technology and engineering could all be written like this. Its an absolute page turner. Read more
Published 4 months ago by George Stergios
A really good read
I don't usually post reviews - but felt compelled to do so with this book as I have enjoyed it so much. Read more
Published 4 months ago by J G JONES
from an ex Aeronautical Engineer
The skunk works have passed into legend. Lokheed Martin invented the separate, completely independent, organisation to develope innovative but risky, aircraft without the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by GLYN AO DAVIES
De-classified!
Incredible insight into an innovative team of engineers and inventors. Very readable. Also sheds light on decisions made by various POTUSes on procurement and foreign policy... Read more
Published 5 months ago by sw
quality page turner
If you like stories of aviation ,Cold War military espionage and people with can do attitudes then you will love this book. Read more
Published 8 months ago by steve
SKUNK SURPRISE
This book has been lying by my bedside unread for a month-I just didn't fancy it,I'm not a techo and this sort of subject always fails with me. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. Michael Richard Harris
Brilliant Book
Gripped all the way through. Johnson and Rich.. legends. Amazing to see what engineering miracles they did with so little. Read more
Published 16 months ago by WillS
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