OT-Books on prototype weapons

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OT-Books on prototype weapons - 6/30/2013 11:54:15 AM

jakla1027

Posts: 187
Joined: 7/7/2010
From: Idaho
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Hello,

So I've seen on this forum & other game forums references to many many prototype/experimental or even drawing board only planes, ships, tanks, firearms, & other military weapons. So is their any good books out their that covers these prototype weapons in detail? I'm looking at stuff mainly related to WiTP:AE planes & ships, but other weapons would be good.

Examples, I've seen on this forum the art work for the "Lake Erie" Class CV. Or the various Omaha CL Class conversions. How about the numours planes...XP-50, XP-55..... & so on.

Thus I'd really like to find a book (or books) that cover these "what if" or prototype weapons in some detail. I have a few aircraft books that cover the experimental aircraft of WWII, but its only a brief summary of the aircraft, nothing detailed though. Ships would be the main one I'd like to find. Purposed ship conversions, designs that were being built (and canceled) or ship designs that never got off the drawing board.

So can you guys point me to some good books covering these "what if" weapon systems of the WWII era?

Thanks

< Message edited by jakla1027 -- 6/30/2013 11:57:06 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: OT-Books on prototype weapons - 6/30/2013 1:25:30 PM

JuanG

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Joined: 12/28/2008
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Not a book per se, but for the USN an excellent place to start is the Spring Styles book/album that is hosted as part of the Department of the Navy's online library. These present a fairly comprehensive series of sketches showing design proposals during those eras.

Book 1 (1911-1925) - http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/albums/s584.htm
Book 3 (1939-1945) - http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/albums/s511.htm

Sadly Book 2 seems to have vapourised, which is a real shame since it is likely the most interesting of the lot.

For the Japanese, the equivalent would be the online Hiraga Archive hosted by the Tokyo University, which contains a wealth of information particularly on treaty and pre-treaty Japanese designs;

Hiraga Archive - http://rarebook.dl.itc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/hiraga/index.html (Note - this is in Japanese, so either trial and error or some understanding of said language can help).

I know neither of these really answer the question, but I'm currently not at home so don't have access to any of my own books. Hopefully some of the other gents here can point you in the right direction.

< Message edited by JuanG -- 6/30/2013 1:27:53 PM >

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RE: OT-Books on prototype weapons - 6/30/2013 7:56:03 PM

Mac Linehan

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JuanG -

Outstanding references, Thank You for the links.

Mac

< Message edited by Mac Linehan -- 6/30/2013 7:58:47 PM >

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RE: OT-Books on prototype weapons - 6/30/2013 8:28:20 PM

desicat

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Joined: 5/25/2008
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"Military Innovation in the Interwar Period", Cambridge University Press 1996. Edited by Williamson Murray and Allan Millett.

A very interesting read and right along the lines that you are looking for.

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RE: OT-Books on prototype weapons - 7/1/2013 2:08:09 AM

jakla1027

Posts: 187
Joined: 7/7/2010
From: Idaho
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Thanks for the suggestions

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RE: OT-Books on prototype weapons - 7/1/2013 5:50:56 PM

geofflambert

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Joined: 12/23/2010
From: St. Louis
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There's a really neat book with lots of pics about the two brothers who were developing flying wings for the Germans in WWII. These included jet powered ones, both fighters and bombers. I gave it away to somebody a long time ago and don't remember the title, and I'm sure it's out of print now. If someone can come up with the title, perhaps you could search for a used one. I'm pretty sure their planes inspired the fictional one portrayed in Raiders of the Lost Ark. None of their planes saw combat (I think).

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RE: OT-Books on prototype weapons - 7/1/2013 5:56:58 PM

geofflambert

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From: St. Louis
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I think their name was Horten. Here's a pic of a fighter prototype.