"EXPLODING Fuel Tanks" - New Book

[Edward]

Why did Japanese aircraft designers fail to utilize armor and fuel tank protection for their aircraft at the beginning of the Pacific war?

What is the basis for all of the accounts of Japanese aircraft exploding, burning and falling apart after being hit by gunfire and flak?

The answers will come as a surprise to many.

WWII historian Rick Dunn has rolled up his sleeves and dug into the archives for documents on the development and adaption of fuel tank protection and pilot armor by US, British, German and Japanese aircraft designers.

The result of years of research and analysis, Exploding Fuel Tanks is an essential book for any student of WWII aviation. While it focuses on Japanese aircraft there is a wealth of material on German and RAF airplanes of the Battle of Britain as well as the US aircraft which flew in the Pacific theatere.

This is an original piece of research that utilizes documents, files and captured Japanese material. Lavishly illustrated with color and b&w photographs, x-ray views of Japanese aircraft, diagrams and charts.

There is nothing else comparable to this out on the market. It is a must have for the library of anyone interested in aerial combat during WWII.

Highest Recommendation


Available through Amazon.com's US website and the Pacific Ghosts website.

http://www.pacificghosts.com/books/exploding/index.html

Edward

Exploding Fuel Tanks - Saga of Technology That Changed the Course of the Pacific Air War
Richard L. Dunn
2011
$29.95
149 pages + appendices

Product Description
"Exploding Fuel Tanks tells the story of air war over the Pacific in World War Two from the perspective of aircraft vulnerability. The result is surprising history with many oft repeated but inaccurate characterizations of the combatants debunked. In addition to a story about technology this book sheds new light on combat operations and the actual losses (not just claims) each side suffered."

"Great air-warfare history. Well-written; extremely well researched (many excellent photographs); exciting reading; and important lessons learned. Highly recommended."
Hon. Jacques S. Gansler, Ph.D., Professor, University of Maryland, former Under Secretary of Defense

"Rick Dunn is to be commended for having written the first comprehensive study of a vital subject in aviation history which, all too often, has received only superficial and subjective treatment. His probing analysis strips away widely-held misconceptions and much myth surrounding the issues to reveal a complex multi-layered reality. Every serious student of military aviation history should read this book."
Osamu Tagaya, Aviation historian and author

"Rick Dunn tells the fascinating story of how Britain and Germany developed the first 'crash proof fuel tanks,' and how other countries including the United States and Japan scrambled to catch up, to save their pilots from death or disfiguring burns. With many splendid photos and drawings, this is a must for every military aviation library"
Daniel Ford, author of Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers

http://www.amazon.com/Exploding-Fuel-Ta ... 1450773052

[Edward]

The new website for Exploding Fuel Tanks is up and running.

http://www.explodingfueltanks.com/

A pdf download of chapter 1 is available which covers the role of self sealing tanks and armor plate in the Battle of Britain and the Spanish Civil war.

Samples of the illustrations, artwork and photography are also posted at the website as well as testimonials from buyers and information on the author.