Luftwaffe X-Planes: German Experimental Aircraft of World War II by Manfred Griehl. Stackpole Books (http://www.stackpolebooks.com/cgi-bin/StackpoleBooks.storefront), 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055-6921, 2004, 80 pages, $29.95 (hardcover).
Interest in the Luftwaffe during World War II has not waned—witness the recent publication of Manfred Griehl’s Luftwaffe X-Planes, which focuses on the German air force’s testing centers from Rechlin near Berlin and Cazeaux in occupied France to Derna in Tunisia, listing the major activities at each center. The amount of testing and prototyping that went on during the war will astound readers, but one must remember that the Luftwaffe, like any other military service, was attempting to adapt to changing tactics and battlefield conditions prior to introducing new aircraft types. Griehl includes illustrations of very high quality that will help modelers and historians alike. Indeed, new pictures obtained from archives and other unpublished sources make this book unique. Photos of aircraft such as the Ar 234 jet bomber towing a load-carrying air trailer are among the many highlights readers will enjoy. Luftwaffe X-Planes is a must for any World War II and Luftwaffe specialist.
Capt Gilles Van Nederveen, USAF, Retired
Fairfax, Virginia
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.
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