And now for something completely the same

 B-47 and B-52 Origins and Evolution, blather, books, Hmm..., Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Origins and Evolution, news  No Responses »
Aug 302021
 

Well, let’s see how this works. The blog will *probably* start looking like it used to, a year-ish or so ago, with more aerospace stuff and longer-form rants and such. This is due to transitioning away from the book projects, at least for a while, and getting back to the pre-book way of life. There are good chances of more books/bookazines in the future (one is already under discussion), but nothing is confirmed yet.

I also plan on taking a photographic research trip (in support for a proposed book a little further down the line) in the near-ish future. It could be of two stages… a day trip that I am almost definitely going to take, and a multi-day trip requiring motels and such that I *may* take. Because such things aren’t cheap, I’m considering pre-selling the full sets of photos that I’ll take. The number of sets I sell will determine whether it’s the short trip or the long one.

 

Or someone could just send me a million dollars, and I’ll take the grand tour of aerospace museums and archives…

 Posted by at 3:45 pm

Designing the Final Frontier

 art, B-47 and B-52 Origins and Evolution, books, history, Hmm..., Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Origins and Evolution, science fiction  No Responses »
Aug 042021
 

This book looks interesting:

Star Trek: Designing the Final Frontier: How Midcentury Modernism Shaped Our View of the Future

Celebrate Star Trek: The Original Series and the show’s distinctive Midcentury modern design that would change design– and television–forever. 

Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969) was the first installment of one of the most successful and longest-running television franchises of all time. Today, Trek fans champion its writing, progressive social consciousness, and aesthetic. Designing the Final Frontier is a unique, expert look at the mid-century modern design that created and inspired that aesthetic. From Burke chairs to amorphous sculptures, from bright colors to futuristic frames, Star Trek TOS is bursting with mid-century modern furniture, art, and design elements—many of them bought directly from famous design showrooms.

Together, midcentury modern design experts Dan Chavkin and Brian McGuire have created an insider’s guide to the interior of original starship Enterprise and beyond, that is sure to attract Star Trek’s thriving global fan base.

After the atrocities of STD and STP I’m not sure the Trek fanbase is “thriving,” but some of us are old enough to be fans of TOS.

 

But if you can only buy one book on Amazon, buy ten copies of this:

It seems to be available there now, though there are as yet no reviews. Plus, the price seems to jump all over the place.

Note: I’m hoping to finish up the 18X24 CAD diagram prints in the next day or two for those who want signed copies. Sorry it’s taken so long… I’m *still* buried under the B-47/52 project.

 Posted by at 1:44 am

General update

 aircraft, B-47 and B-52 Origins and Evolution, blather, Book X, drawings, history, Hmm..., nukes, projects, rockets, spacecraft  No Responses »
May 092021
 

Might have noticed that blogging has been reduced mostly to posting YouTube vids and very brief grumbles of late. It’ll probably be much the same or even less for the next month or two… I’m hard at work on “B-47/B-52” and that takes precedence. Just passed 200 pages of diagrams; a few more left to do, but text is the current priority and I’m a slower writer than draftsman (and I don’t draft that fast).

 

Side note: Amazon has decided that I might be interested in these. Amazing! How do it know?

 Posted by at 10:46 pm

A little Preview of “B-47/B-52”

 aircraft, awesomeness, B-47 and B-52 Origins and Evolution, Book X, books, history, new products, projects, rockets, spacecraft, weapons  No Responses »
Apr 302021
 

Here is an incomplete look at the diagrams created for my first book, “Boeing B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress; Origins & Evolution.” It can be pre-ordered either directly from the publisher (with publication expected in late September) or through Amazon (looks like they’ll have it two months later). It is also expected to be on certain store shelves… more on that when it’s confirmed.

A few of these diagrams will be compressed to several-per-page; a few of them here are already shown in multiple optional layouts. But there are also a dozen-ish diagrams *not* shown because they are incomplete as yet. This gives an indication of the size and scope of the project…

 Posted by at 2:49 pm

Behold, Book One: Boeing B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress; Origins & Evolution

 aircraft, art, awesomeness, B-47 and B-52 Origins and Evolution, Book X, books, drawings, history, news, nukes, projects, rockets, spacecraft, US Bomber Projects  No Responses »
Apr 272021
 

My publisher has gone public with Book One, entitled

Boeing B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress; Origins & Evolution

Woo!

It is being published by Mortons out of Britain, is scheduled for release at the end of September, and is going to be around 250 to 280 pages (I’m still furiously working away at it). As those who have seen my work may assume, it will be loaded to the gills with diagrams, in this case covering the competitors to the B-47 and B-52, the original concepts, how the designs evolved and many of the proposed and built derivatives. You can pre-order at the link above. I’m getting confirmation on availability in the States… Amazon and Barnes & Noble and other sources. Will report back on that, but it does look like both outlets will carry it.

I will post more details – including glimpses of diagrams and some of the color art created for the book by Rob Parthoens – in the coming days. Feel free to ask questions.

 

Note: Book Two has not yet gone public. But Book Two should be published *first* since it is finished and edited; I’ve seen and approved the layout. All it’s missing right now is cover art, which is in process.

 

And…behold! An Amazon link, listing it as available in late November/early December. Just in time for Chrisnukkwanzayulmass! Note though that the “150 page” length listed there is incorrect… came from the original placeholder text.

 Posted by at 8:51 am
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