Book contents
- Building an Air Force
- Cambridge Military Histories
- Building an Air Force
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Photographs
- Figures
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Thoughts on Future War
- 2 Commercial Aviation and Air Racing
- 3 Technology: Engine Development
- 4 Technology: Structural Design
- 5 Air Corps Procurement: The Contract System and Decision-Making
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Book contents
- Building an Air Force
- Cambridge Military Histories
- Building an Air Force
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Photographs
- Figures
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Thoughts on Future War
- 2 Commercial Aviation and Air Racing
- 3 Technology: Engine Development
- 4 Technology: Structural Design
- 5 Air Corps Procurement: The Contract System and Decision-Making
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
This poses the question as to why the American air arm began World War II with excellent offensive bombers but mediocre defense fighter planes, which was seemingly in contradiction to a national policy of isolationism and defense. The standard explanation for this dichotomy is that doctrine shaped force structure. I disagree and believe it was a combination of technology, economics, the Army procurement system, and personalities that played the determinant role.
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Building an Air ForceThe Air Corps and the Formation of US Airpower, pp. 1 - 20Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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