Early history and development of F-117 and B-2; Recommended books!

500 Fan

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Can anyone nominate any books that cover, in as much depth as possible, the early development of both the F-117 and the B-2? There seem to be plenty of books available on both aircraft but I am not sure if the earlier ones published when both aircraft were first revealed cover the early test flight history or if the books published later have a more comprehensive history of the early test work. The earlier books published on a given (non-classified) aircraft usually cover the development and prototypes in depth but that might not be the case with these two particular aircraft.

In relation to the F-117, I am interested in the flight testing of the Have Blue aircraft as well as the early flight testing of the F-117 and its early service. I have Ben Rich's book but are there any further, illustrated books that cover these two aircraft and their flight testing?

I am looking for the same in relation to the B-2. Is there any illustrated volume that covers the development and flight testing of this aircraft?

Thanks for any assistance anyone can offer.

500 Fan.
 
For the F-117, I think that "Lockheed Stealth" by Bill Sweetman and the Haynes F-117 manual by Paul Crickmore are good places to start. I don't have any recommendations on the B-2, but others will.
 
B-2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1600145.Inside_the_Stealth_Bomber
https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Stealth-Bomber-Colortech-Sweetman/dp/0760306273
http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/B2SpiritBomber/SpiritOfInnovationBook/Pages/default.aspx

F-117
https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.867958
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nighthawk-F-117-Stealth-Fighter-by-Alison-J-Crickmore-Paul-F-Crickmore-/142869691358
https://www.amazon.com/F-117-Nighthawk-Stealth-Fighter-Scrapbook/dp/158007099X
 
Thanks for that, gatoraptor and flateric. There is plenty there to start with!

There are so many books on the subject it is difficult to sort out what's what. For example, is "Area 51 Black Jets" by Bill Yenne the same book as "Secret Jets" by Bill Yenne? Both seem very similar but presumably are different books.......

500 Fan.
 
I advise to start with Bill Scott's book on B-2 initial testing.
AWST online archive is free for registration and have bunch of B-2 testing stuff as well.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I have ordered one book at an excellent price and the rest have been added to my wants list so hopefully Santa will bring a few too! Thanks.

500 Fan
 
500 Fan said:
Thanks for that, gatoraptor and flateric. There is plenty there to start with!

There are so many books on the subject it is difficult to sort out what's what. For example, is "Area 51 Black Jets" by Bill Yenne the same book as "Secret Jets" by Bill Yenne? Both seem very similar but presumably are different books.......

500 Fan.

I believe the Bill Yenne books are, in fact, the same; one is the paperback edition of the other. And I can also recommend the AIAA book in the above link.
 
flateric said:
F-117
https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.867958

THIS. This one is fully excellent and should be the place to start with the F-117.
 
"Secret Jets" I've seen on the sale shelf at B&N. It's the same book as Black Jets.
 
There's another Black Jets book issued as a compendium of articles from WAPJ.
https://stellabooks.com/books/david-donald/black-jets/1208730
B-2 chapter by Bill Sweetman is extended/updated stuff from Inside the Stealth Bomber
Can be found at used book stores. Can recommend as well.
 

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