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Skunk Works (Paperback)

by Ben R. Rich (Author), Leo Janos (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 404 pages
  • Publisher: Sphere (10 Aug 1995)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0751515035
  • ISBN-13: 978-0751515039
  • Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 10.8 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 156,054 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

The true story of America's most secret and successful aerospace operation. The former head of Lockheed's Skunk Works recounts a drama of Cold War confrontation and Gulf War air combat. The book tells the story of secret aircraft from the U-2 to the Stealth Fighter.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Skunk Works
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone in the aerospace industry, 23 April 1999
By A Customer
Ben Rich describes the Skunk Works from a very personal perspective. His words teach a lesson that could be well heeded in all engineering businesses and for anyone who wants to set up a skunk works it is an essential read.

Ben Rich describes the legendary Kelly Johnson, he must have been an awesome boss. Kellys fifteen rules of the skunk works are hilarious... but you stop laughing damn quick when you realise that they're all true.

Read this book, then read "Most Secret War" by R. V. Jones, they're the two best books I've ever read.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Back in invisible Black, 15 Aug 2006
By Mr. M. A. Bowles "Scientist" (Lincolnshire, England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
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.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb insight on engineering through political difficulties, 23 April 2002
By A Customer
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
An astounding story. Brilliantly written & totally engaging cloaks & daggers stuff, made me wish I was an aeroplane designer! Read more
Published 3 months ago by L. Pal

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating and compelling read!
Written in a way that puts you in with Kelly's team and facing the frustrations and jubilations involved in cutting edge engineering! Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2007 by D. Guidone

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating insights
Being very interested in stealth and radar cross section reduction in general and having actively worked on RCS computation and measurements as well, I found this book absolutely... Read more
Published on 29 Jul 2005 by Ramses

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fascinating story
Ben R. Rich does such a good job of describing the events and people that were involved in the U-2, the stealth fighter, and the Blackbird, that you feel you are on the team. Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2001 by bernie

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