Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft (NASA SP-468)

xiii, 547 pp. CONTENTS: Preface; Acknowledgments; Part I. The Age of Propellers: Introduction - Design Exploration, 1914-18 - The Lean Years, 1918-26 - Design Revolution, 1926-39 - Design Refinement, 1939-45 - Design Maturity, 1945-80 - Design Trends - Boats in the Sky; Part II. The Jet Age: Introduction - Technology of the Jet Airplane - Early Jet Fighters - Jet Bombers and Attack Aircraft - Jet Transports - Business Jet Aircraft; Appendix A. Physical and Performance Data; Appendix B. Symbols and Abbreviations; Appendix C. Estimated Aerodynamic Parameters; Appendix D. Biplane Terminology; Appendix E. Mass-Flow Rate, Thrust, and Propulsive Efficiency; Appendix F. Estimation of Overall Propulsion-System Efficiency; Appendix G. Reserve-Fuel Requirements for Transport Aircraft; Appendix H. FAR Landing and Takeoff Field Lengths; References; Index; About the Author.