Post-World War II Bombers: Knaack, Marcelle Size: 9780912799599: Amazon.com: Books

Air Force bombers...an official history publication of the U.S. Air Force

This, along with the similar volume on fighters by the same author, is overlooked gem for serious historian. Briefly, each bomber is discussed with details on its inception, contract award and various milestones as the aircraft made its way from military specification,... See more

This, along with the similar volume on fighters by the same author, is overlooked gem for serious historian.
Briefly, each bomber is discussed with details on its inception, contract award and various milestones as the aircraft made its way from military specification, to design, construction, testing, operational use and retirement.

Also featured here but usually missing from type histories are contractual details and the cost of the aircraft.
Also in the case of some aircraft, (the B-36 chapter comes to mind) it discusses the service's ongoing reappraisal of the need for the type and it's several close calls with cancellation. So, the dollars and cents business side of Defense is addressed. It's done in a scholarly, objective manner, the author avoids any service "spin" or bias.

Illustrations are limited to a 3-view drawing of each type and an occasional photo, so don't buy it if you're after nice profiles and artwork.

A must have for the SERIOUS student of post-war military aircraft.