North American Aircraft Books - History and Models

North American Aviation in the Jet Age (Vol. 1) - The California Years, 1945-1997

In the final days of World War II, U.S. and Soviet forces raced to capture advanced German weapons technology. Over the next 25 years, North American Aviation (NAA) transformed these innovations into powerful weapons for the U.S. military.
The F-86 Sabre, with its swept-wing design, became the only Allied fighter capable of outmaneuvering the Soviet MiG-15 in the Korean War. The X-15 rocket plane pushed the limits of human flight, reaching the edge of space and setting speed and altitude records that still stand.
This book explores the development of these groundbreaking aircraft and the engineers behind them, offering insight into NAA's role in shaping U.S. aviation and space history.

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North American Aviation in the Jet Age (Vol. 2) - The Columbus Years, 1941-1988

In 1941, as World War II threatened U.S. shores, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called for an "Arsenal of Democracy, " demanding the production of 50.000 warplanes per year. To meet this goal, large aircraft factories were needed, and Columbus, Ohio, became a key location.
The Columbus plant first housed Curtiss-Wright, producing thousands of SB2C Helldivers. During the Korean War, North American Aviation (NAA) took over, manufacturing advanced aircraft, including the T-28 Trojan and T-2 trainers. The Navy's FJ Fury series complemented the F-86 Sabre in air combat, while the OV-10 Bronco was built for close support in Vietnam. The supersonic Vigilante showcased advanced technology.
Production ended in 1988 with major subassemblies for the Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic bomber. This book traces the history of the Columbus plant from its construction in 1941 to its closure in 1988.

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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.

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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.

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