The San Diego Air & Space Museum is pleased to announce the publications of:
The Story of the PBY Catalina, by Ray Wagner
The Story of the PBY Catalina chronicles the most widely-used flying boat ever built. The PBY traces its roots back to the Curtiss flying boats of World War One which were twin engine biplanes with open cabins. It was the PBY that replaced this style with its own streamlined monoplane look. This book includes discussion of the PBY Model Differences, U.S. Navy Production & Serial Numbers, Dimensions, and Serial Numbers assigned to U.S. Army Catalina Aircraft. Also included is description of PBY's built on "Non-Navy" Contracts. This 21 page softcover book includes beautiful color three view drawings and many unique photos. The historical and technical data is thoroughly researched. The Story of the PBY Catalina is the perfect addition to the library of the PBY enthusiast. Book was published in 1972 by Flight Classics. Retails for $4.
American Combat Planes of the 20th Century, by Ray Wagner
This book is the only complete reference to all the airplanes that created American airpower. It tells the story of the marriage between aircraft and war. Every combat type built in the United States for the Air Force, Navy, or for foreign governments, is included, together with foreign aircraft bought for American fighting units. All the planes designed to attack an enemy with guns, bombs, or rockets are described, along with armed reconnaissance aircraft, and those derived from fighter designs, providing a quick reference for each type. Along with famous mass-production types, like the Liberator, Mustang, and Hellcat, with their major modifications, all the little-known experimental projects are included and compared. Ray Wagner's definitive work arranges all those planes by their fighting purpose and appearance in history. Even by simply viewing their photographs page by page, the reader sees the story of combat plane design over the years. Below each picture are the vital facts of each type: the engine's name and power, how big and how heavy that plane I, as well as how fast, how high, and how far it can go. Profusely illustrated with 1700 photographs, American Combat Planes of the 20th Century is 758 pages, hardcover, printed on high quality coated stock, with a section of color photographs showing the history of military airplane color configurations. Retails for $60.
Prelude to Pearl Harbor: The Air War in China 1937-1941, by Ray Wagner
The Sino-Japanese war of 1937-1941 pointed to the future of air warfare. Four years before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan had been fighting an air war over China, and this experience gave the Japanese Navy confidence that it could win an air war with America. This 44 page book describes the fighting that developed Japanese naval air power from 1937 to 1941, and the way American military aircraft were also changed by the war in China. Retails for $4.00.
Images of America Series: Consolidated Aircraft Corporation
Founded by Reuben H. Fleet in 1923, Consolidated Aircraft Corporation (later Convair) became one of the most significant aircraft manufacturers in American history. For roughly sixty years this prolific company was synonymous with San Diego and, except for the United States Navy, the largest single employer in the County. Whole sections of the city were designed to meet the needs and provide homes for the workers and their families. When shifts at the plant changed the streets were full of the men and women who were responsible for building some of the most significant aircraft in aviation history, including the PBY Catalina, B-24 Liberator, Convair 880 airliner, F-102 Delta Dagger, as well as the reliable Atlas missile, which was vital in launching America into space. To this day, nearly a decade after the company passed from the San Diego scene, tens of thousands of San Diegans can celebrate a seminal connection with Reuben Fleet, his company and his popular slogan, Nothing short of right is right.
Preorder your copy of, Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, due for release Fall 2008.
Images of Aviation Series: San Diego's North Island 1911-1941
San Diego's North Island is one of the most significant venues of aviation in the world. Starting in 1911, it was the home to one of the nation's first aviation schools, founded by Glenn Curtiss, who pioneered seaplane flight. He trained the nucleus of America's future air forces there, including Lt. Theodore Ellyson, the first naval aviator. When the United States entered World War I, the government took over the island with plans to build a training center for the nation's armed forces. The new army base was named Rockwell Field, and the navy portion was named Naval Air Station San Diego. By 1937, the army moved out and the navy became the sole tenant. Today NAS North Island is part of the largest aerospace-industrial complex in the navy and is headquarters for the Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The book contains 127 pages of rare photographs taken from the San Diego Air & Space Museum's archive collection.
Images of Aviation Series: Aviation in San Diego
For nearly a century, San Diego has been a hub of aviation development, air power, and flying adventure. The city's ideal weather and protected bay allowed San Diego to have an aviation history unrivaled by any local community. From the pioneering days of Glenn Curtiss and naval aviation at North Island to the present cutting-edge aerospace technology, Aviation in San Diego captures it all. With many never-before-published photographs, Aviation in San Diego documents the people and events that made San Diego's aviation heritage unique. From Ryan to Consolidated, Curtiss to Lindbergh, and everything in between, Aviation in San Diego is the preeminent photographic record of flight in "America's Finest City." The book contains 127 pages of rare photographs taken from the San Diego Air & Space Museum's archive collection.
These We Honor: The International Aerospace Hall of Fame
Only a select few pioneers, leaders, and pilots have been responsible for the key breakthroughs in aviation and space history from the first manned balloons through today's era of space exploration. The most distinguished of these folks have earned a place of honor in the International Aerospace Hall of Fame Gallery in the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
The publication These We Honor: The International Aerospace Hall of Fame. Contains portraits, biographies of all those honored in the IAHF.
San Diego: Air Capital of the West
This beautiful pictorial history chronicles the history of aviation in San Diego. Originally published in 1991, this classic is now expanded and updated to bring the history current. Lavishly illustrated with more than 300 vintage and modern photographs, its 212 pages of lively text make this unique story come alive for readers of all ages. San Diego: Air Capital of the West will be a great family heritage piece, a wonderful gift, and a treasured keepsake.