The American Aircraft Factory in WW II    by Bill Yenne Order:  USA  Can Zenith Press, 2010 (2010) Softcover, e-Book Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Bob Walch U.S. military aircraft production went from 921 planes in 1939 to 96,318 five years later. This astounding increase in capacity was instrumental in creating the airpower superiority that would eventually bring World War II to an end. A combination of remarkable technologies, unprecedented policies and the dedication and hard work of thousands of men and women created the industrial complex that made this incredible production feat possible. All these elements and more are discussed in this exceptional pictorial history that examines the meteroric rise of the American aircraft factory. Military historian Bill Yenne sets the stage by describing the genesis of the industry and its development immediately prior to 1939, and then provides a step-by-step account of the aviation pioneers and the companies that they created that produced these planes. Full page color and black and white photos take the reader into the plants where bombers and fighters like the P-38 and P-51D Mustang were manufactured. You see women installing .50 caliber machine guns in B-17s and adjusting fuselage panels, while others fine tune engines or rivet the wing sections of B-29 Superfortresses. Not only is this book a feast for the eyes but Yenne's informative text also highlights the key decisions that made all of this possible, and the actual plants where this manufacturing transformation took place. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews