X-Planes: German Luftwaffe Prototypes 1930-1945

I think this is a fantastic book on Luftwaffe prototypes and one-of designs, as described in the title. The text is accompanied by photos of every plane and features fighters, bombers, trainers, liaison and communication planes, reconnaissance planes, transports, and helicopters. My only criticism is that there are no tabulations of dimensions, engine horsepowers, or performance characteristics. In many cases, I think that the data has simply been lost or was destroyed by the Germans at the end the war.The book features designs by several German airplane manufacturers that are only rarely encountered in books on Third Reich warplanes: Buecker, Flettner, Focke-Achgelis, Kalkert, Klemm, Halle, and Siebel. The book generally does not include the fantasy jet designs that were being developed at the paper concept level at the end of the war, although it does include a few designs that made it to the prototype or mock-up stage such as the Ta183, Ho IX, He 162, and Me 328.

This book provides a wealth of information - some of it obscure - about German aviation development prior to and through WW II. It begins with an overview and history of Germany's aircraft research and development process and the organization of test centers and test detachments and squadrons. After these opening chapters, Griehl hits his stride with an alphabetical manufacturer-by-manufacturer listing of prototypes. Within each of these sub-chapters, he provides a brief description of each prototype (or mock-up), generally accompanied by a photo, and a listing of each version, including markings, production number, first flight date, ultimate fate and other remarks. It is this trove of detail and the encyclopedic organization and structure that elevates "X-Planes: German Luftwaffe Prototypes 1930-1945" above Griehl's 2004 book, "Luftwaffe X-Planes: German Experimental and Prototype Planes of World War II." However, that earlier, slimmer and less-well-organized volume contains information not found in this book (e.g., an additional photo and paragraph on the Bachem Natter and a photo and description of the mock-up of the FW "Flitzer"). Consequently, the two books complement each other to some extent, rather than the latter replacing the former.

I just received this book in good order and at a good price. Book was very interesting indeed, it had lots of pictures and gave loads of information. The reader should be aware of the fact that the writer strictly limits this book to the test aircraft and does not tell the reader anything about further developments and production. Famous aircraft, such as the Heinkel 111 2-engined bomber, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke Wulf single-seat fighters, the Junkers Ju 52 tri-motor transports, which all were built in very large numbers were shown in the same fashion as some obscure test aircraft, that never proceeded into production. Interestingly, the Dornier Do 24, which was actually built and designed strictly for the Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (Dutch Navy Aviation Service) was discussed in this book as just another German Luftwaffe aircraft design.

Manfred Griehl is very well known in aviation circles so I was excited to get this book to see what was in it.A very interesting survey of the German Aircraft Projects, but not the unfinished projects. These were actually realized whether it be operational or in test stage.The book is full of pictures and data. Some might say there should be more writing, but it's still an excellent survey of German projects. Well worth a look.

The book was a listing of every model of every make of German aircraft so it was like looking down a long list set up alphabetically. I don't recall the exact number sequence but a rough example might be: FW-190-1 experiment with new design followed by FW-190-2 new motor added followed by FW-190-3 supercharge changed to new design, etc., etc. So, I didn't find it interesting to read as excellent books could have been made on just about every German aircraft with details on design, testing, first deployment, improvements, pilots flying the aircraft, what happened to the aircraft over time, any surviving aircraft, etc.

Development of the German Expermental aircraft suffered from too many versions lack of fuel stopping develop,ment. The Germans had differant versions of many of their aircraft & sufferered from lack of fuel and parts plus modernground support. German maufacturers of their X-Planes show that problem

I have always been interested in the aircraft design with regard to world war two and i enjoyed the book

this author never deceives me with german aviation.this book has great pictures .the information is updated. well done indeed .i highly recommend it to any one with an interest on German aviation.thank you.Gary B

This is a much better book than one or two others currently around which cover the early designs and ideas of aircraft which did, in the main, see production and service.I have to confess that when I originally purchased this book, I overlooked the 'prototype' significance as I was searching for those aircraft which didn't make it to flight!!However, it's a beguiling book in its own right and I find myself becoming involved in the stories behind the many aicraft which Hitler did authorise and which did create havoc for us and a great many other nations. Fortunately, our own rather different approach to weaponry, managed to survive and finally defeat the progressive ideas of the aircraft (and rocket) designers so quickly 'stolen' by the Americans and the Russians as the war ended.There are too many aircraft in this book to suggest any one has been more detailed than the others. The author has done an excellent job in cataloguing just about every variation of each aircraft type and this should rank as a very worthwhile record for aviation enthusiasts specialising in WWII - of which there are many.I would have thought that its cover price is not bad value at all but at amazon's offer price, it's a must, surely, for we anoraks!

Good price and great information.

It's a very (very) detailed book, many b/w pictures. But are you looking for fancy colour-what-if illustrations this is not the place. It's more lika catalog of prototypes with "Jane's All the worlds airplane" like info and pictures.

Histórico e. Interesante

ドイツ空軍での実験機実在フライヤブルの記録です。実験実機の解説は短く要領よく書かれています。シリアルナンバーにより区別され開発機数が一覧表になり一目瞭然で分かりやすいので星五つ。　注目はヘリコプターの開発の項目が設けられています。ここが注目するところです。この中のFocke-Achgelis、 Fa223,Fa330については今話題のオスプレイの前身を思わせるものがあります。計画実験機であったFa269はありません。この断片の情報は「徹底検証　V-22オスプレイ」に僅かに説明があります。ティルローター式の飛行開発の資料は「X-Planes」にはありませんが類型機のFa223はソビエトに接収されたことが記載されています。　ドイツ機ファンや研究することに興味ある方はお勧めです。Ｊｕ86については写真を載せ開発実験機のシリアルが記載され便利です。手ごろな解説はウイリアム・グリーン氏が便利。しかし、開発機の実機の確認には写真がついており再確認できる優れ物です。