“Having spent most of my life in the cockpit, I am well acquainted with the sheer magnificence of these machines. World War II ushered in a new era in aviation and military technology, and this book gives an exclusive look into some of the most famous planes in the history of flight.” — Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger 
The follow-up to 2008’s In the Cockpit, this gorgeously designed book focuses specifically on the interiors of World War II aircraft. In the Cockpit II features rare aircrafts from the Smithsonian’s collection and a visual viewpoint of cockpits that museum goers never get to see, plus a foreword by distinguished pilot Robert A. Hoover. A perfect gift for Father’s Day and holidays!

In the Cockpit 2: Inside History-Making Aircraft of World War II

History

National Air and Space Museum

Military

Harper

Space Race: The U.S.-U.S.S.R. Competition to Reach the Moon

This fascinating book tells, in concise text and abundant illustrations, the story of the fifty-year struggle for dominion of outer space between the United States and the Soviet Union. 
The companion volume to a new permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, "Space Race" examines the spectacular, publicly celebrated milestones of the first steps into space, as well as highly secret efforts to spy on adversaries from high above the Earth. More than one hundred photographs document technological advances in spacecraft, spacesuits, and surveillance equipment, while also telling the human story of space flight with pictures of astronauts, notes on their record-breaking journeys, and reproductions of engineers' first thumbnail sketches and rough outlines of what would become state-of-the-art rocketry. 
120 pages, 68 color and 34 black-and-white photos. Smythe-sewn paperbound book, with flaps. Size: 8 1/2 x 11".

Engineering & Transportation

Collins, Martin J.

Transportation

Pomegranate

In a collection of stunning photographs, interviews, and biographical sketches, this unique book highlights the achievements of women in aviation, based on an exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum that celebrates thirty-six notable women pilots.

Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots

Arts & Photography

Cochrane, Dorothy

Russo, Carolyn

Collections, Catalogs & Exhibitions

Bulfinch Pr

A 2016 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist In 1924 the U.S. Army sent eight young men on a bold attempt to be the first to circumnavigate the globe by flight. Men from five other countries—Great Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, and Argentina—had the same goal. The race was on! First Flight Around the World documents the exciting journey of four American planes—the Chicago, Boston, New Orleans, and Seattle—and their crews on a race around the world. The trip held many challenges: extreme weather, tricky navigation, unfamiliar cultures, fragile planes, and few airfields. The world fliers risked their lives for the sake of national pride. Based in part on the journal of one of the crew members, First Lieutenant Leslie Arnold, along with commentary, newspaper reports, and archival images, First Flight Around the World is a captivating tale about American ingenuity, gumption, and perseverance.

First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race

Grove, Tim

Harry N. Abrams

People, children especially, have been baffled, bewildered, and even outraged by the fact that Pluto is no longer called a planet. Through whimsical artwork and an entertaining dialogue format, Pluto’s Secret explains the true story of this distant world. Providing a history of the small, icy world from its discovery and naming to its recent reclassification, this book presents a fascinating look at how scientists organize and classify our solar system as they gain new insights into how it works and what types of things exist within it. The book includes a glossary and bibliography. Praise for Pluto's Secret "Pairing a lighthearted narrative in a hand-lettered–style typeface with informally drawn cartoon illustrations, this lively tale of astronomical revelations begins with the search for Planet X.” ―Kirkus Reviews "This picture book offers a fresh, positive perspective on Pluto, showing that its change of status is not a demotion but a correction." ―Booklist "Light-hearted imagining of a gregarious Pluto.” ―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Fun reading… The book provides a factual history of our faraway 'dwarf,' and on its companion icy worlds, and on the discovery of Kuiper-like bands around other stars." ―School Library Journal Award New York Public Library’s annual Children’s Books list: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2013

Pluto's Secret: An Icy World's Tale of Discovery

Children's Books

Weitekamp, Margaret

DeVorkin, David

Science, Nature & How It Works

Milestones of Flight takes readers soaring through the high points of American aviation: from the Wright brothers and their competitors to the military pilots who first circumnavigated the globe, from the initial space rocket to the moon walk, from the earliest manmade satellite to today’s spy drones. The book also describes what inventions—such as rocket propulsion, the wind tunnel, and the silicon chip—helped move flight upward and beyond. Profusely illustrated with objects from the Smithsonian’s collection, Milestones of Flight provides an inspiring look at America’s contributions to aviation. The book includes a bibliography, author’s note, and index.

Milestones of Flight: From Hot-Air Balloons to SpaceShipOne

Abrams Books for Young Readers

Since that windy day in 1903 when the Wright brothers became airborne, the world has witnessed amazing advances in aviation and space flight. Among the highlights of this definitive pictorial review are the Wright brothers' flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the first airplane to circumnavigate the globe and much more. Full-color illustrations.

Treasures of the National Air and Space Museum (Tiny Folios (Paperback))

Harwit, Martin O

Abbeville Press

Book by National Air and Space Museum

Aircraft of the National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian Institution

This valuable directory contains a wealth of data on the history of aviation and attempts, for the first time, to identify every aircraft manufacturer and designer and every aircraft produced. This indispensable reference book is a comprehensive guide to the sheer number and variety of aircraft produced in the last hundred years. 
The directory has thousands of entries with, for each manufacturer or designer, the names of all the classes of aircraft produced (powered fixed wing, unpowered fixed wing, powered rotor rotor-craft and unpowered-rotor rotor-craft). Entries are cross-referenced and brief histories of important companies have been added to enable the researcher to chart mergers, closures, and name changes. Significant nicknames and code names are also detailed. This valuable and unique book presents a vast, official array of data in an accessible form and is an essential reference book for any aviation enthusiast.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Directory of Airplanes: Their Designers and Manufacturers

Greenhill Books/Lionel Leventhal

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Books by National Air and Space Museum