The Airframe Files · A members' aircraft design library

See inside each aircraft and learn why it was built that way

The cover of The Airframe Files

Understand why each aircraft was built the way it was, through 3D cutaways, design notes and source documents.

  1. 1

    A file for every aircraft covered

    Each aircraft gets its own file, so the cutaway, the notes and the documents sit together in one place.

  2. 2

    High-resolution 3D cutaways

    Look inside the airframe in high resolution, so you can see where each part sits and how it fits.

  3. 3

    Design-decision notes

    Plain notes on the choices the designers made, so you can follow the reasoning behind the shape and layout.

  4. 4

    Source documents

    The source documents behind each aircraft, so you can check the story for yourself.

  5. 5

    The full 'why it was built this way' story

    Each short 'why it was built this way' answer is expanded here, with the detail it had no room for before.

It’s for you if…

  • Aviation fans who want the full engineering story behind each aircraft: the cutaways, the design choices and the documents behind them

It’s not for you if…

  • You want flight training or instruction on how to fly an aircraft.
  • You need maintenance or airworthiness guidance for a real aircraft.
  • You want aircraft that the files do not cover.

Get your copy

Questions

What exactly do I get?
The Airframe Files, with every chapter listed above.
How do I get it after I pay?
Right after checkout you get an email with your order.
Can’t I find this for free?
Some of it is online, spread over many sites, books and archives. The Airframe Files puts the 3D cutaways, design notes and source documents for each aircraft covered together in one place.
Is this financial or legal advice?
No. Educational; not financial, legal or tax advice.

Learn why each aircraft was built the way it was

This week, open one aircraft's file and follow one design choice from the cutaway to the source documents. Then decide.

Coming soon