McDonnell Naval Jet Fighters
Selected Proposals and Mock-up Reports 1945-1957

by Jared A. Zichek

Reviewed by Mick Evans

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American Aerospace Archive 4 - McDonnell Naval Jet Fighters, Selected Proposals and Mock-up Reports 1945-1957, is a full black and White glossy publication in standard A4 format presented between soft covers.  The cover page and back page has a colour artist’s impression of the McDonnell Model 60, which is very similar to the Vought Cutlass. 

The publication covers a multitude of concepts starting with the Model 40 and F2H-1 Banshee.  There are many simple concept outline drawings as well as very detailed breakdown drawings of the Model 58 that led to the F3H Demon. 

The publication concludes with photographs of the full scale mock up of the XF3H-1 Demon.  This volume contains 60 pages with many photographs. 

The quality of the photographs is excellent considering the era that the photographs were taken.  Included are a few artist plates in black and white depicting the concept aircraft. 

Interesting is some detailed drawings and charts depicting the fuel burn and flight times for different mission types for the Model 58.  One peculiar drawing shows the aircraft spotting for carrier hangers.  One plan shows the Model 58 kneeling so that the nose of one aircraft could fit under the tail of the aircraft in front allowing an extra two aircraft in each row.  The accompanying text describes all of the innovations and proposals that led to the F3H entering service.

This is an excellent publication on McDonnell Naval Jet Aviation through the late 1940s through to the late 1950s and one that most people interested in this era of US Navy Aviation would certainly enjoy having in their reference collection.

Thanks to Aero Archive Press for the sample.