This book comes in the now familiar red cover with type photo and follows the series normal format. The XB-46 was one of four entries into the competition for a jet-powered medium bomber. They were along with the XB-46; the North American XB-45, Boeing XB-47 and Martin XB-48. Boeing was allowed to use swept-wing research captured from the Germans on their design.

Of the other three straight winged designs the XB-45 was the winner and received a production order. That being said Convair’s XB-46 was one of the most beautiful and elegant straight wing jet designs ever conceived. The long thin 113 foot Davis wing and 105 foot cylindrical fuselage combination was most aesthetically pleasing.

The book begins with the development of the design and construction. Paying strict attention to the details, including a full range of cockpit detail photographs, other crew position area as well as aircraft systems from pneumatic to fuel to weapons to engines.

Thank you to Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak for updating and enhancing an excellent historical recounting of the Pearl Harbor attack, coinciding with the 75^th anniversary year. Thank you to the IPMS Reviewer Corps for allowing me to review this updated volume. I truly appreciate the improved format, increased content, and the effective methods for researching new details and history of this world-altering event.

This book covers the military service history of Elwyn Righetti, a fighter ace and the higher strafing fighter ace from the Eight Air Force with 27 victories. In addition to that he destroyed over 600 enemy locomotives, including over 170 in just a period of 2 days!

Righetti was fascinated with aviation since an early age and learned to fly when he was young. He was a naturally gifted pilot and as such he was made an instructor after qualifying as a pilot with the USAAF. He spent most of the war in the States, training cadre after cadre of pilots. He arrived to the European Front in late 1944 and was put in charge of the 55th Fighter Group.