|
S u m m a r y
|
| ISBN: |
1-903223-62-8 |
| Media: |
Hardback with colour dust
jacket; 303mm x 226mm in portrait format; 144 pages; approx. 170
photographs; line drawings; tables |
| Price: |
£24.95 plus shipping, online from Ian Allen Publishing
|
| Review Type: |
First Read |
| Advantages: |
The definitive work to
date on the Bachem Natter; excellent coverage of Natter concept,
development, testing and operation; readable and interesting
text; high quality artwork; attractive layout. |
| Disadvantages: |
|
| Recommendation: |
Highly Recommended |
Reviewed by Brett Green
HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com
Classic Publications has established an enviable reputation as the
creator of authoritative reference books on Luftwaffe subjects. The
latest in the premier Air War Classics series is "Projekt Natter - Last
of the Wonder Weapons", by Brett Gooden.
You might not need to be a rocket scientist to read this book, but it
is certainly helpful if you are writing it. The author has been active
in the field of human rocket flight since the early 1960s and is a
prominent researcher into the physiological effects of aerospace and
diving, so he is extensively qualified to tackle this subject matter.
"Projekt Natter" is presented in a hard cover behind the familiar
Classic Publications grey dust jacket.
The Bachem Natter was a desperate response to relentless bombing of
German cities and industry. The concept was to place a vertical take-off
rocket powered interceptor at strategic industrial sites as an immediate
defensive measure - something like a cross between a heavy flak gun and
a fighter aircraft.
The operational machines were fitted with an auto-pilot to guide the
aircraft to attack altitude, at which stage the pilot would take over
for his brief attack before plotting a ramming course, jettisoning the
rocket unit and gracefully returning to earth by parachute. Any
volunteers?
This book covers the the concept, design, testing, operation, medical
aspects and post-war implications of this radical and dangerous (more so
to the pilot than the intended target) machine.
The layout of the book is punctuated with 170 photos, technical
drawings, maps and tables, ensuring that the reading is never laborious.
The colour artworks by Gino Marcomini are very attractive too.
The author's text is logically laid out, comprehensive and
informative, while remaining admirably readable considering the highly
technical nature of much of the subject matter.
Little has been published to date on the Bachem Natter. Brett
Gooden's work is undoubtedly now the definitive work on the subject, and
will be fascinating to Luftwaffe aficionados and aerospace enthusiasts
alike.
Highly Recommended.
Thanks to Simon from DLS and Ian
Allen Publishing for the review sample
Review Copyright © 2006 by
Brett Green
This Page Created on 06 June, 2006
Last updated 27 June, 2006
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