Secret US Proposals of the Cold War Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

And now for something completely different!

Monty Python allusions aside, Crecy's cool, colorful Secret US Proposals of the Cold War certainly veers from typical "project & prototype" presentations.

And it really works.  Subtitled "Radical Concepts in Factory Models & Enginering Drawings", author Keeshen's enormously entertaining effort employs models for the majority of its 300 illustrations – either preserved manufacturer "desktop" displays or beautifully made hobby kits.

The two decades after WWII remain remarkable years in aerospace history.  Propulsion and design developments promised vast progress in aircraft performance.  And in the US, a plethora of peculiar projects and prototypes emerged.

So buckle up.  That history makes Secret US Proposals of the Cold War a really wild ride.  Spanning five chunky chapters and 160 pages, Keeshen's breezy book recaps dozens of weird, wonderful wings.

After prefatory notes on "Models and Model Making", Chapter 2 tackles "The Bombers" – my favorite parts.  That's where you'll find intriguing oddities like Douglas' bizarre parasite designs and Convair's amazing "Aerospaceplane" study.  Segue a section to "First Jets" and fighters.  Visit "Fly Navy" next.  Then wrap things up with "Vertical Flight and Other Concepts".

Several sidebars spice this cool compendium.  One surprising segment covers US Navy projects from the early 1940s – hardly "Cold War" content.  And another spellbinding segue outlines US, British, German and Dutch ID models.

How about that for your next book topic, Jim Keeshen???

Secret US Proposals of the Cold War is a visual feast – with a terrific twist.  And it perfectly appealed to the modeler in me!

Robustly recommended.

My sincere thanks to Specialty Press for this review sample!