I think I know the book you mean, is the author Martin J Dougherty?
I flicked through the book once and found it very subjective, I think the author totally fails to put the item into context.
For example, the previously mentioned X-3 was built in the 1950s, designed with knowledge from the 1940s. It was right at the cutting edge of aircraft/speed knowledge. Does the author believe the builders should have "already known" the information they were trying to discover? (That's the impression I get).
As for the Swordfish, it wasn't a "bad" plane per se, just in use beyond its use-by date so to speak. It was from the wrong era to be fighting WW2 but they had little else.
And if he thinks the AK has "unpleasant recoil", he should try shooting a FAL in auto.
Bitching aside, I think it's one of those books for the casual military fan, I certainly can not take it seriously when the author thinks the AK is a "worst weapon".
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