Building an Air Force - The Air Corps and the Formation of US Airpower

Until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, America did not want war, with the 1930s marked by strong isolationism and an emphasis on defense. However, in December 1941, it wasn't defensive aircraft the Army Air Corps had been steadily procuring, but offensive long-range heavy bombers, whilst US pursuit planes were decidedly inferior to their European counterparts. In this new history of the development of American air power, Phillip Meilinger dispels the notion that young air zealots pushed for a bomber-heavy force, revealing instead the technological, economic and bureaucratic forces which shaped the air force. He examines the role of scientists and engineers, developments in commercial aviation, and conflicting priorities of the Army and Air Corps, as well as how these were in turn influenced by America's political leaders. Building an Air Force is essential for understanding a conflict in which whoever controlled the skies controlled the land and seas beneath.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of Illustrations; List of Figures; List of Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Thoughts on Future War; 2. Commercial Aviation and Air Racing; 3. Technology: Engine Development; 4. Technology: Structural Design; 5. Air Corps Procurement: The Contract System and Decision-Making; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Über den Autor / die Autorin

Phillip S. Meilinger is a retired USAF colonel and independent scholar. He flew C-130s, was an action officer in the Pentagon, and taught at the Air Force Academy, Naval War College, and the School of Advanced Airpower Studies. He is the author of thirteen books including Thoughts on War (2020) and Avoiding Risk in America's Wars (2017).

Produktdetails

• Autoren: Meilinger Phillip S.
• Verlag: Cambridge Academic
• Sprache: Englisch
• Produktform: Fester Einband
• Erscheint: 31.03.2026
• EAN: 9781009728416
• ISBN: 978-1-009-72841-6
• Illustration: 30 b/w illus., Raster,schwarz-weiss, Worked examples or Exercises
• Serie: Cambridge Military Histories
• Themen: Sachbuch > Geschichte > Sonstiges; USA, HISTORY / Military / General, 20th Century, military history, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, Air forces & warfare, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, History of Science, United States of America, USA, History of engineering and technology, History of engineering & technology, Air forces and warfare