Bell X-1 (X-Planes, 1)

Thanks to the book and movie "The Right Stuff", anyone who cares about aviation knows Chuck Yeager was the first pilot to break the sound barrier. The details, maybe not so much. Wonder no more. This Osprey X Planes Series book "Bell X-1" tells the story in the kind of detail an aviation buff wants. Experienced aviation historian Peter Davies does the honors, with help from illustrators Jim Laurier and Gareth Hector.The book starts with World War II and the first experiments by Allied and Axis scientists and aircraft designers to approach Mach One. A series of fatal accidents built up the mythology that the sound barrier couldn't be broken. The U.S. X-1 program, a combined effort of the U.S. Air Force, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, and the Bell Aircraft Company, made a serious post-war run at the barrier. Chuck Yeager's successful flight was only one of many speed and altitude records broken by the team. The details are here, along with the improvisations, the hair-raising series of accidents, and the pure thrill of it all. Highly recommended as a concise but fascinating introduction to the topic.

As an aviation enthusiast and scale modeler I have purchased many Osprey titles and have always found them to be more than adequate. This title is no exception. The first chapters cover the progenitors of modern jets; both Allies and German. It covers the problems encountered with compressibility at high subsonic speeds as well as the particulars of aerodynamics i.e., swept wings etc. The remainder of the book deals with the specifics of the Air Force program to break the “sound barrier “ along with the men who accomplished it. Many photos and artwork cover all aspects with some great photos of the interior of the Bell X1. For anyone interested in the topic as well as modelers like me will enjoy this book.

This book is a great read for anyone interested in the Bell X-1 research program. The text in this book is detailed, yet not too complicated. Anyone who reads this book will learn about many variants of the X-1 research plane that are not seen anywhere else. The diagrams are excellent. There are many nice pictures and drawings. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Bell X-1 research program, and/or rocket planes in general.

This is probably the best Osprey book I have ever bought. It covers many of the personalities involved in the X1 program, both commissioned, enlisted and civilian. It also covers some unusual missions flown under the program, including the flight for filming of the movie "Jet Pilot" and the mission that launched from a runway (instead of an airdrop) to satisfy inter-service rivalry with the Navy.

I initially gave this book a 3 star review but after doing my own research all I can say is this: Don't waste your money because it's just another Brit trying to soothe his national ego by stealing credit from someone else.His weak attempts at the beginning of his work to link the x1's design features to British research and the canceled Miles m.52 (a myth that has been completely debunked by Dr. Richard Hallion) all fall flat as he sites no real evidence, he merely decrees it to be so. This is made all the more inexcusable as a quick trip to NASA.gov and very little effort would've yielded a much more accurate work with far less conjecture.I am simply astounded that Osprey would have allowed their named attached such a poorly researched book.

This is an excellent book in this new series by Osprey Publishing. Great overview of the program and the aircraft. I plan to the X-15 book when it is released.

Incredible information , and real photographic HISTORY - of this INCREDIBLE PILOT and AIRCRAFT !!!

Small book, but covers essentials.

very interesting book. There are lots of things in here that made it fascinating

excellent

Eccellente primo numero per una serie di volume che si presenta spettacolare. Ottimo reportage fotografico. Testo scorrevole. Ottima impaginazione.

A new series covering lesser known subjects. Look forward to future titles