The development of United States Air Force first-generation jet fighter aircraft, 1941--1950.
Item
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Title
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The development of United States Air Force first-generation jet fighter aircraft, 1941--1950.
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Identifier
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AAI3024791
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identifier
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3024791
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Creator
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Goetz, Thomas J.
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Contributor
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Adviser: David Syrett
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Date
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2001
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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History, United States | History, Modern
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Abstract
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The gas turbine, or jet engine revolutionized air combat. Invented by an officer in England's Royal Air Force, and first used to power combat aircraft by Nazi Germany, the jet engine would be perceived by the United States Air Force as the most important technological development of World War II. Although a relative latecomer to the field of jet propulsion, the Air Force quickly developed a virtual obsession with the technology. During the war, the Air Force made numerous attempts to develop a useable jet fighter, culminating in the graceful and effective Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. Following the war the Air Force used the still rapidly developing jet engine to power a wide variety of combat aircraft, including many new fighter designs. Of these, the most effective would prove to be Republic's F-84 Thunderjet and North American's F-86 Sabre. The Sabre would be the first American combat aircraft to incorporate swept wings to increase its speed, and also the first to exceed the speed of sound. The process of designing and building these aircraft would be one of the first and most important steps in the creation of what would come to be known as the "military industrial complex." Many of these aircraft would eventually be tested in combat in the frigid skies over the Korean peninsula, and would prove to be a vital element in the American success during the Korean War.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
