Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

"By Karl Kollmann, Calum E. Douglas, and S. Can Gülen

"This book is a unique blend of history, technology review, theoretical fundamentals, and design guide. The subject matter is primarily piston aeroengine superchargers - developed in Germany during the Second World War (WWII) - which are centrifugal compressors driven either by the main engine crankshaft or by an exhaust gas turbine. The core of the book is an unpublished manuscript by Karl Kollmann, who was a prominent engineer at Daimler-Benz before and during the war.

"Dr. Kollmann's manuscript was discovered by Calum Douglas during his extensive research for his earlier book on piston aeroengine development in WWII. It contains a wealth of information on aerothermodynamic and mechanical design of centrifugal compressors in the form of formulae, charts, pictures, and rules of thumb, which, even 75 years later, constitute a valuable resource for engineering professionals and students.

"In addition to the translation of the original manuscript from German, the authors have completely overhauled the chapters on the aerothermodynamics of centrifugal compressors so that the idiosyncratic coverage (characteristic of German scientific literature at that time) is familiar to a modern reader. Furthermore, the authors added chapters on exhaust gas turbines (for turbo-superchargers), piston aeroengines utilizing them, and turbojet gas turbines.

"Drawing upon previously unpublished material from the archived German documents, those chapters provide a concise but technically precise and informative look into those technologies, where great strides were made in Germany during the war. In summary, the coverage is intended to be useful not only to history buffs with a technical bent but also to the practicing engineers and engineering students to help with their day-to-day activities in this particular field of turbomachinery."

Pre-order here: https://www.asme.org/publications-su...=884676:884676

Usual disclaimer,
Ed

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

sounds interesting! I enjoyed 'the secret horsepower race' also.

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

The price! ��

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

Hi everyone,
I am a little surprised that no-one has made further comment on this book, so I will add a little of my opinion about it.
This is a Great book. Calum Douglas and Dr S. Can Gulen have written a clear and enjoyably readable translation of Prof K. Kollmann's original papers. IMO, they have done this so well that the subject material is clearly explained to a non-specialist enthusiastic reader, whilst still including the mathematics and calculations that make this also a reference volume for a specialist in the subject. Beyond the Physics, Thermodynamics and Maths, the book is crammed with examples of the application to engines that actually existed and those that were planned. The subject material is predominantly German but, there is excellent reference to Allied applications and the context of the subject is very well balanced.
This book, Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII, seems to me to be a perfect companion to Calums' first book, The Secret Horsepower Race and, as they are almost the same size, will sit perfectly matched on the bookshelf together.
The price is not cheap but, this is a rare volume about a serious technical subject.
I think that the cost reflects this books' standing. This is a Great book and it is probably going to be highly sought-after in the future.
I would advise anyone with an interest in the subject to buy this book, while it is available.

SM

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

I see that Amazon are offering this great book at £108. I think that this is a big reduction on the previous cost of obtaining the book here in UK. Still not cheap but, a fantastic book for anyone interested in the German WW2 Aero-engine development. I find the detail and historic content of this book to be unmatched.

SM

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

Thanks for the review, SM!

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to refresh the information about this great book by Calum Douglas. Surprisingly to me, this book has had low sales, mainly due to the price. However, for any serious study of Second World War Aero Engines, this book is essential. My own view of this book is that it takes over from Calum's previous volume, The Secret Horsepower Race, leading on to explain the detail of Supercharging. The information in this book gives the reader insight at a level that was used by the engine designers at the time. To a modern engine designer, the information is also essential. There is some mathematics, but where it comes down to the explanations, these are clear and very well written.
Overall, I have found this book to be as groundbreaking as Calum's previous work. Having studied Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines I am now able to understand the design of these engines at a much deeper level.
So, if you do want to know more about this subject, there is no better way than investing in this great book. The price is not cheap but, it is cheap at the price! Treat yourself to a seriously great book!

SM

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

Pretty sure that the very specialised subject matter and the eye-watering price has probably shot this book down as soon as it was published.

Whilst I understand that specialist books probably cost more, a non-reader-friendly price = no/few readers.

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

Hi Bombphoon,

I agree that the price is high, compared to some books. But it is not just any other picture book or one book of many. You are correct, this is a specialist book, the subject matter is something that armchair hobbyists can never understand. But, in this one volume a dedicated enthusiast can grasp an understanding of the principle technology that won the air war!
I do not know of a similar book.
I think that anyone with a strong interest in the aircraft of WW2 and their engines will find this book enlightening. It is a serious book, a rare book for people with a serious interest and I hope that no one with that serious interest will miss it!

SM

Re: Turbo/Supercharger Compressors and Turbines for Aircraft Propulsion in WWII
 

Since it is a print-on-demand "book" (=a travesty of a real book), the price should not exceed £25. For a premium price, everything must be of premium quality in the product. Anything else is fraud.