Background
Wagner, Ray David was born on February 29, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of James D. and Ethel S. (Schreiber) Wagner.
(The most authoritative and comprehensive history of Ameri...)
The most authoritative and comprehensive history of America’s military aircraft ever published. From World War I to Iraq. Profusely illustrated with over 1700 photographs. Each plane arranged by fighting purpose and appearance in history. Vital facts on every plane - how powerful, how big, how heavy how fast, how high, and how far. American Combat Planes of the 20th Century is the only complete reference to all the airplanes that created American airpower. It tells the story of the marriage between aircraft and war. Every combat type built in the United States for the Air Force, Navy, or for foreign governments, is included, together with foreign aircraft bought for American fighting units. American Combat Planes of 20th Century is 758 pages, hardcover, printed on high quality coated stock, with a section of color photographs showing the history of military airplane color configurations. All the planes designed to attack an enemy with guns, bombs, or rockets are described, along with armed reconnaissance aircraft, and those derived from fighter designs, providing a quick reference for each type. Along with famous mass-production types, like the Liberator, Mustang, and Hellcat, with their major modifications, all the little-known experimental projects are included and compared. Ray Wagner’s definitive work arranges all those planes by their fighting purpose and appearance in history. Even by simply viewing their photographs page by page, the reader sees the story of combat plane design over the years. Below each picture are the vital facts of each type: the engine’s name and power, how big and how heavy that plane is, as well as how fast, how high, and how far it can go. As the reader follows the text, he learns who made these planes and when. What could each plane do, how many were made, and where were they used? Why each combat plane was built is the most important question, and is best answered by placing each design in the historical context in which it was developed, from America’s entrance into World War One in 1917 to Operation Allied Force in 1999. World War Two is the center focus, along with insights on aircraft involved with conflicts in Nicaragua, China, Spain, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. The bibliography indicates this history’s primary sources and is a readers’ guide to the many books and publications to expand your interests.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0930083172/?tag=2022091-20
(A comprehensive history of the development of America's m...)
A comprehensive history of the development of America's military aircraft. Profusely illustrated with photographs.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J40W96/?tag=2022091-20
(Mustang Designer tells the story of American wartime figh...)
Mustang Designer tells the story of American wartime fighter development, including engines and armaments, as part of a nationwide program of aircraft builders and fliers, focusing on Edgar Schmued, the designer of the Mustang. The P-51 Mustang is widely regarded as the best propeller-driven fighter that ever flew. What many might not realize is that the plane's developer was a German migrant. This book tells of how Schmued created a weapon that would ultimately prove lethal to the aspirations of those who had seized control over his native land.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1560989947/?tag=2022091-20
Wagner, Ray David was born on February 29, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of James D. and Ethel S. (Schreiber) Wagner.
Bachelor of Science, University of Pennsylvania, 1953; Master of Science in Education, University of Pennsylvania, 1955; postgraduate, San Diego State University, 1958-1965.
Teacher, Crawford High School, San Diego, 1957-1984; instructor City Colls., United States Navy/Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 1985; archivist, San Diego Aerospace Museum, since 1985.
(Mustang Designer tells the story of American wartime figh...)
(The most authoritative and comprehensive history of Ameri...)
(A comprehensive history of the development of America's m...)
(Second Library copy- San Diego Air and Space Museum)
(1990 hardback on Crown.)
Air Force History Center grantee, 1988. Member American Aviation History Society (vice president 1973-1976), Air Force History Foundation.
Married Beatrice Walsh, April 1952 (divorced November 1965). 1 child, Roger Ray; married Mary Kathleen Davidson, November 17, 1967. Children: Wendy Lynne, David Frederick.