Corwin Meyer

The XF7F-1 (Grumman G-45) was ordered on June 30, 1941, and was intended to be operated from the forthcoming 45,000 ton Midway class carriers. It was to be the first twin engine with tricycle undercarriage. It was heavily armed with four-20 mm guns in the wing roots and four 50 cal in the nose with strong point under the wings and fuselage to carry bombs and the Navy torpedo.
This book covers all of the many versions along with its use as a firebomber, and some aircraft that are saved in the museum.… (mais)

A better than average NF volume, this monograph dedicates about 30 pages of print to the development of the aircraft through the Bureau of Inspection and Surveys and final developments. After that the pretty standard NF format applies.
The drawing chapter is very complete with plenty of pen and ink drawings of the cockpit, landing gear, landing gear wells, etc. Unusual illustrations of the engine bay and the tail section are included and could be of use to a serious modeler. There are two engine illustrations that appear to show that appear to illustrate the engine as a partially dressed QECA. Again, those could be interest to a modeler.
The Squadron history chapter is pretty standard Ginter fare, four pages are developed to Blue Angels and the final pages dedicated to gate guards and the sole bailment tiger. Within this chapter there are plenty of deployment pictures from the various sea-going squadrons.
The last few pages are dedicated available models (Remember this monograph is twenty-two years old.) and some B&W profiles of various “Fleet Tigers”. The profiles will probably be of limited use.
Strongly recommended for those interested in Naval aviation or modelers.… (mais)

This was the 80th publication I have purchased from Mr. Ginter and found it somewhat disappointing.
With the first 22 pages dedicated to development and testing the aircraft there is a fair amount of development history, but nothing on the derivatives yet, it mysteriously includes the cockpit for the two-seater 98J-7 without any explanation.
There are some interesting paragraphs on flutter testing and some a few paragraphs relating to the problems that arise when testing the combination of a new engine in new airframe. But overall, the effort feels rather weaksauce in comparison to the typical Ginter publication.
The balance of the book (Aside from a few brief sentences on the zero-length launch proposal) covers the Grumman attempts at foreign sales with the effort mostly focusing on the competition with the Lockheed F-104. (To his credit, Mr. Corwin does not
mention the bribery scandal which probably helped Lockheed get the sale.)
An explanation of the a few of the odd features such as the tandem dorsal carriage of the AIM-9 would have been appreciated.
Aside from a Japanese model in 1:138 released 60 years ago, this volume probably not be interest to modelers. While the development and sales anecdotes were entertaining to read, this monograph will probably only be of interest to the most die-hard fans of mid-50’s BuAer history or those fans of the Ironworks.… (mais)