Peter P. Wegener Books

Exploring the principles of aerodynamics, this book delves into how various objects, from airplanes to birds, navigate through air and water. It provides a clear explanation of mechanics and fluid dynamics, using minimal mathematics to make the concepts accessible. Richly illustrated, it also covers the history of human flight and the societal impact of commercial aviation, while offering insights into future advancements. Aimed at non-specialists, the updated edition includes new exercises and study aids to enhance understanding and appreciation of the subject.

Dealing with aerodynamics in the broadest sense, this book discusses, in addition to aeroplanes, the aerodynamics of cars and birds, and the motion of diverse objects through air and water. The fundamental notions of mechanics and fluid dynamics are clearly explained, while the underlying science is discussed rigorously, but using only elementary mathematics, and then only occasionally. To put the science into its human context, the author describes -- with many illustrations -- the history of human attempts to fly and discusses the social impact of commercial aviation as well as the outlook for future developments. This new edition has been brought up to date throughout; solutions to selected exercises have been added, as have new problems and other study aids.

In 1943, on orders from the German Air Ministry, young physicist Peter P. Wegener left the Russian front and reported to the Baltic village of Peenemünde. His assignment was to work at the supersonic wind tunnels of the rocket laboratories of the German Army. Here Wernher von Braun led a team that developed the V-2, the world's first large rocket-powered guided missile, and laid much of the groundwork for postwar rocket development.In this fascinating book, Wegener recounts his experiences during Hitler's time, World War II, and his years at Peenemünde. He tells how he was working one night in August 1943 when the Allies bombed the laboratories, but left the wind tunnels undamaged. The tunnels were moved to Bavaria, and Wegener was ordered to follow in 1944. After the war, the tunnels were moved again―this time to the United States, accompanied by the author and other German scientists. Shortly before the end of the war, Wegener visited Germany's underground V-2 production plant to retrieve archival material on aerodynamics that had been stored in caves for safekeeping. He describes the appalling history of the concentration camps where SS guards watched over inmates who toiled underground in inhuman conditions and often did not survive. A photoessay enhances this remarkable memoir.

1943 wird Peter P. Wegener kurz nach seiner Geophysik-Promotion von der russischen Front nach Peenemünde an die Ostsee beordert, um an der dortigen Heeresversuchsanstalt zusammen mit anderen Wissenschaftlern, Ingenieuren und Technikern an der Entwicklung des ersten Überschallwindkanals mitzuarbeiten. Den unmittelbaren Wirren des Krieges entkommen, findet er nun seinen Platz im Labor, wo er aerodynamische Grundlagenforschung unter anderem für die Raketen V1 und V2 betreibt. In seinen Erinnerungen schildert Wegener seinen Werdegang und seine Tätigkeiten am Aerodynamischen Institut. In einer Mischung aus überprüfbaren historischen Fakten und seiner persönlichen Sicht der Ereignisse reflektiert er über einen spannenden Abschnitt in seinem Leben, der schließlich mit der Emigration in die Vereinigten Staaten einen Abschluss findet.