From Props to Jets: Commercial Aviation's Transition to the Jet Age 1952-1962 - Hardcover

Craig Kodera; Mike Machat; Jon Proctor

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1580071465 ISBN 13: 9781580071468

Publisher: Specialty Pr Pub & Wholesalers, 2010

Synopsis

Although the years from 1952 to 1962 saw the rise and dominance of luxurious piston-powered airliners like the Douglas DC-7, Lockheed Constellation, and Boeing Stratocruiser, revolutionary new jet airliners soon rendered them obsolete. Aircraft like the Boeing 707, Douglas DC-8, and Convair 880 quickly shrank travel times around the world in half as the traveling public enthusiastically embraced the new and very futuristic jet age. This book celebrates that exciting time period with an in-depth look at all the aircraft that made commercial jet flight possible, comparing these radical new jetliners with the classic propeller-driven aircraft that preceded them. By using stunning original photography, ads, and graphics, this book beautifully captures the unique feel of that magical era by featuring the very best in rare aviation nostalgia. Additionally, the book offers accurate technical detail and rich historical perspective.

About this title

About the Author:

Craig Kodera has lived a life immersed in aviation as the son of an engineer for Douglas Aircraft. Craig realized his dream of becoming an airline pilot, having flown for both Air California and American Airlines, and also served as a transport and tanker pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, he is a world-class aviation artist whose artwork has been published by The Greenwich Workshop and who counts among his commercial aviation clients McDonnell Douglas and Airbus Industrie.

Mike Machat is a former aviation artist and staff illustrator for the Douglas Aircraft Company, and served as editor of Wings & Airpower Magazine. Known for his love of commercial aviation, he has also designed airline color schemes, painted airliner model boxtops, and illustrated numerous books on airliners and airline history. Having flown in every type of airliner from the DC-3 to the Concorde, Mike brings a wealth of commercial aviation experience to this project.

Jon Proctor, a seasoned veteran of the airline industry, served in various positions with Trans World Airlines for 27 years and comes from an aviation family; his father was a pioneering pilot for American Airlines while his brother flew for TWA. He has written two books and numerous magazine articles on commercial aviation over the years and is also the former editor of AIRLINERS Magazine. Jon contributed many of his stunning original airline photographs for use in this book.

Review:

Authors Jon Proctor, Mike Machat and Craig Kodera are three of commercial aviation's finest and most prolific writers, artists and historians. They combined their talents and wide-ranging experience in the industry (as well as their large collections of aircraft and airline memorabilia) to produce a truly unique publication which is both highly informative and extremely entertaining. It will be a welcome addition to every airliner enthusiast's bookshelf. -----Airliners Magazine, reviewed by Bill Mellberg, June 2010

Once again, Specialty Press has provided us with a well written, well researched, and interesting book. This is one that is a must have for the airliner fan. Most highly recommended. --Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, June 2010

High quality, great illustrations, readable text, great price - what more could one want? Five stars. ---Air Classics, July 2010

About this edition

• Publisher: Specialty Pr Pub & Wholesalers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1580071465
• ISBN 13: 9781580071468
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160