THE GRUMMAN STORY

by Richard Thruelsen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1975

A history of Grumman Aircraft, from its early 1930s founding with $86,000 in capital to its present activities as a S1-billion-a-year business heavily involved with the space program. Thruelsen, a former Saturday Evening Post editor, presents a parade of planes, test pilots, technical problems and innovations. Grumman made it on its long association with the Navy--the story of their first fighter model costing only $74,000 is sure to bring fiscal nostalgia. From there, Grumman went on to build seaplanes and carrier-based aircraft, including the famous Wildcat and Hellcat of WW II. A chapter is devoted to their performance in the Pacific naval air war. Initially the Japanese Zero enjoyed dominance in the skies, but American engineers studying one they captured found that the Japanese had paid for its high speed and climbing ability by cutting back on armor and firepower. The lessons learned played an important part in the US victory. Yet despite the romance of aviation and the many pictures, Thruelsen's book reads like an official company history--never critical, full of glowing accounts, business details and employee write-ups. A book which might interest aviation history buffs, and Gmmman executives will find that it's just their speed.

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1975

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Praeger

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1975

Categories: NONFICTION