aviation

Familiarization and Inspection Manual for the B-17F Flying Fortress

This Boeing Aircraft Company produced this 1943 manual of the B-17F model heavy bomber, which was issued to U.S. Army Air Force personnel assigned to fly and service this iconic World War II aircraft. There are extensively detailed illustrations and instruction pages with technical information on all parts of the aircraft. It is in surprisingly excellent condition.

Die Eroberung der Luft II

This second volume of a German publication of aircraft cigarette cards album has most of the aircraft cards in place, as well as a detachable paper airplane model ready for assembly. Published in 1932, it covers a range of international aircraft then in service. 

Ryan Guidebook

This is an anniversary compendium of Ryan Airplanes (1925-1975), the company that built the Spirit of St. Louis—the airplane Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic—as well as many other commercial and military aircraft. The book details the many aircraft Ryan produced, and includes photos, advertisements, promotional brochures, and even a comic strip. It is an informative overview of an aircraft manufacturer that made a substantial contribution to aviation history and technology.

Black Aviator

Published by the Smithsonian, this wonderful book is an updated copy of the 1934 book entitled "Black Wings." The original was written by an African American army officer and WWI veteran, Lt. William Jenifer Powell. Released 60 years after the original, this copy includes an introduction by the Smithsonian's Curator of Russian/Soviet & African-American Aviation. To make it even more special, this exact copy was donated by the (late) second Director of the Anacostia Community Museum, Steven Newsome, who started out his career as a librarian!

Famous Personalities of Flight Cookbook

Published for the National Air and Space Museum by the Smithsonian Institution Press, this is a collection of favorite recipes from well-known fliers, astronauts, aviation legends, and space and aviation industrialists.  Included are recipes and personal anecdotes from pioneers like the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, and Robert Goddard; favorite food and drink recipes from fliers James Doolittle, Jacqueline Cochran, and Ernest Gann.

The War in the Air

H. G. Wells's The War in the Air is a dark futuristic work of science fiction depicting aerial warfare between the United States and Germany. Wells's prophetic vision was written well before WWI when full scale aerial warfare would take place. The story unfolds of Bert Smallways, a young man accidentally carried away in a navigable airship invented by Mr. Butteridge. During his adventure, Smallways travels to Germany, discovering a secret airfield, and in the process, Germany's plans to attack the United States.