North American aircraft: books - history and construction

The B-45 Tornado - An Operational History of the First American Jet Bomber

The North American B-45 Tornado was America's first jet bomber and was used in a number of vital missions for nearly a decade. Drawing from declassified secret documents, this history explains the bomber's use in strategic reconnaissance and atomic-weapon strike missions from its 1944 development to its role in the Cold War.
The book includes numerous photographs and more than 100 interviews with pilots, navigators, and ground personnel.

North American T-28 Trojan - Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions

Designed as a replacement for the T-6 Texan, North American's T-28 Trojan first flew in 1949 and remained in production until 1957. The T-28A was initially adopted as primary trainer by the U.S. Air Force, but it served in this capacity for less than a decade.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps found the T-28B/C model aircraft well suited to their needs, and continued to use it up until 1984, when it was replaced by the T-34C turboprop.

Despite its training designation, the T-28 flew in a combat role, perhaps most famously during the Vietnam conflict where Trojans performed close air support and counter-insurgency missions for the C.I.A. Modified attack trainer T-28D "Nomads" also flew for the French in Algeria.

Originally created by the U.S. Navy in 1962, this T-28B/C pilot's flight operating manual was required reading for pilots and trainees.
This high quality reproduction includes the original manual in its entirety, including information on carrier landing training and emergency procedures. It's a fascinating reference that puts you right in the cockpit of one of history's great planes.

North American Rockwell T-2 Buckeye (Naval Fighters)

First published in 1987, the T-2 Buckeye book covers the development of this all-purpose jet trainer from the Navy's solicitation to industry in 1956 through its operations and squadron usage with the US Navy, Marines, Venezuela and Greece.
It was originally built as a single engine jet, the T2J-1/T-2A, but had inadequate power. A second engine was added and it became the over-powered T-2B. It was a tremendously over-designed and robust aircraft, perfect for students and virtually impervious to excess Gs. Late in life it was used as a spin trainer for fleet Tomcat pilots.

F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War (Osprey)

The F-100 Super Sabre may have been superseded by the superior technology of the F-105 Thunderchief and the F-4 Phantom by the Vietnam War it remained in service. The Super Sabre was deployed as an air defence fighter, and was later given nuclear capability.
The F-100's toughness, adaptability and reliability made it ideal for the incessant missions that were demanded by close support and counter-insurgency missions. 242 Super Sabres and 87 aircrew were lost during the war but their role, particularly in developing the tactics used for discovering and destroying SAM sites, was invaluable.

This book describes some of the most important actions that the F-100 took part in, looks at the pilots who flew it and analyses the impact of the aircraft on the war.