Secret Jets: A History of the Aircraft Developed At Area 51

"Area 51 Black Jets" doesn't contain much in the way of new or groundbreaking information about the many classified jet aircraft that have been tested since the mid-1950s at the top-secret U.S. Air Force base in Nevada designated Area 51. Most of the material has been available in other articles and books for some time, and many of the aircraft he covers are now on public display in museums.But Mr. Yenne succeeds admirably in drawing together, in a well written, profusely illustrated and very readable volume, enough information to satisfy the curiosity of the aviation novice and to refresh the knowledge of the enthusiast, not only about the aircraft themselves but also about the facility. This is a singularly impressive accomplishment.Always sober and to the point, as one would expect from an aviation historian and author of Mr. Yenne's stature, "Area 51 Black Jets" gives no credibility to the bizarre, sensationalistic, juvenile and utterly unsupportable conspiracy theories that have dogged operations at Area 51 since its inception. If you're looking for tales of extraterrestrials from crashed spacecraft or genetically altered children who piloted flying saucers from the Soviet Union in the time of Stalin, you'll have to look elsewhere--like in the science fiction section.I enjoyed "Area 51 Black Jets" immensely, and it has earned a permanent place in my aviation library. If you want to know the REAL story of the mysterious lights in the sky over southern Nevada, you can't do better than to start with this volume. Congratulations on a great book, Mr. Yenne.

Area 51 is often feted by UFO gurus as a secret site for the US government's efforts to reverse-engineer UFO spaceships and research into extraterrestrials. In reality, the most top-secret military base built in the United States has been a testing ground for some American spyplanes and X-planes with potential military applications.Renowned writer Bill Yenne chronicles the history of Area 51 and all the planes that have been flown at the base since the 1950s, from the U-2 Dragon Lady to the Bird of Prey and RQ-170. He also devotes one chapter of this book to MiG fighters that were acquired by the US for evaluation testing at Area 51, and Yenne also discusses the mythical Aurora spyplane and Black Manta tactical spyplane, whose existence was postulated based on anecdotal sightings.For anyone interested in secret US military aircraft, Area 51: Black Jets is a valuable guide to understanding aviation development at the most secretive military installation in America.

This book got me by surprise.It has detailed contents related to black jets at Area 51 and much more.The photographs add a lot to the reading and there are lots of them.Personally, I've found this book very informative and thought provoking.For me a book is good when it makes you search for references contained in it.And this is exactly such a book.

Actually, this book is only a summary of the black airplanes tested at the Groom Lake (and surrounding areas) north of Las Vegas. So the B2 bomber is acknowledged but not discussed (as it was not tested at that location). Still, the book talked about many planes I had heard something about as well as some that I had not known about. The book also gives some history on the myths behind Area 51. The book does not go into a lot of technical details; so it was a fairly easy read. The book’s coverage of black jets seemed quite complete; though in such a secrecy-shrouded environment, who can know for sure?There are also a number of photos. Photos (and maps) don’t show up well on the Kindle’s e-ink reader (so I had to use the Kindle app to view them on my PC). Also, when I finished reading the book, my Kindle indicated the book was 75% read (as reference materials were the final 25% of the book).Note: As I’d already read Ben Rich’s book (“Skunk Works”), there was some information overlap. I felt Rich’s book, being written from a personal viewpoint, was a more interesting “read”. But both books have something of value for the reader.

In the 1990's I worked for Raytheon at the DOE's nuclear energy test site in the mountain range north of Las Vegas, NV. We had a nuclear device assembly facility at Area 93, adjacent to Area 51. While we did see U-2's and other aircraft coming and going, all other activities at Area 51 were hidden by the desert mountains. Bill Yenne's book filled in many blank spots from that era of time that I could only guess about. I found the book accurate, interesting, and easy reading.WRM

I love this book, plain and simple. The pictures and text are all first class and it's a worthy addition to my archives. There are many high quality images here that I have not seen elsewhere or published before. When you see the picture of the Aurora refueling behind a KC-135 Stratotanker, you know you are holding something special in yoru hands,

I purchased this as a gift for a friend who is really interested and knowledgeable on the subject of war aircraft. He went nuts when I gave it to him, saying it was the best book of its' type he had ever seen.

Okay compendium / summary of the subject. Suitable for folks new to the subject matter. Does not add anything new from what has been available on the web and elsewhere for some years. Basically a small-scale over-priced coffee table book. Nice format & photos but with rehashed info as textual content. Old stories retold.

Very good pictures of the D-21 triple-sonic drone program, but very few of "Have Blue" stealth fighter, or "Aurora" recon jet (Drone?)

If you are interested in 'Black' aircraft, so-called 'alien' U.F.O sightings and a lot more in relation to the classified 'Top-Secret' Nevada desert location refered to in modern day parlance as 'Area 51', you ought really to own a copy of this excellent book. I found it excellent.....now go try and buy a copy. You will not regret it, in my opinion.

Fotos muy buenas, y grandes.

Ce livre retrace les avions secrets américains depuis la fin de la 2ème GM. On y découvre des précisions sur les projets bien connus mais peu de choses nouvelles sur ce qui est encore secret.Une compilation qui rend service.

My husband loved this book he found it very interesting hasn't finished reading it yet