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

The authors provide a well-researched and well-illustrated history of commercial aviation's transition to the age of jet airliners--from 1952 to 1962. They describe the planes that made commercial flight possible, from the earlier propeller-driven aircraft to the Lockheed Constellation to piston engines and Douglas and Boeing designs. A special chapter is devoted to the Boeing 707. Many photos, ads, and drawings are included. All three of the authors have had long careers in the airline industry: Proctor is an author, editor, and photographer; Mike Machat is a former aviation artist and illustrator, and served as editor of Wings & Airpower magazine; Craig Kodera is an airline pilot and an aviation artist. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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.