Publisher's Synopsis
Regarded as one of the great automotive engineers of the twentieth century, Ferdinand Porsche is well remembered today for his remarkable automotive designs including the Volkswagen Beetle and Auto Union Grand Prix cars. Yet there is another side to his extraordinary career, for he was an equally inventive designer of military vehicles and machinery. In this field too he excelled. Indeed the sheer versatility of his contribution is astonishing. Karl LudvigsenÆs study is the definitive guide. - - He tells the complete story, focusing on PorscheÆs relations with the German armed forces and on the stream of advanced designs he was responsible for. Included are Austro DaimlerÆs pioneering aero engines, the K³belwagen, Schwimmwagen, Type 100 Leopard tank, Ferdinand or Elefant tank destroyer and the astounding Type 205 Maus tank. He also describes PorscheÆs creative work on aero engines, tank engines and even a turbojet for the V-1 flying bomb. - - Karl LudvigsenÆs account confirms the pre-eminence of Ferdinand Porsche as a brilliant and prolific engineer, one of the most remarkable of his generation. -