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Tom Swift Sr. #22
Tom Swift and his Air Scout
"In "Tom Swift and His Air Scout" by Victor Appleton, the young inventor Tom Swift is back with another thrilling adventure. This time, he has designed and built the revolutionary Air Scout, an advanced aircraft that combines cutting-edge technology with the spirit of exploration. The story begins as Tom introduces the Air Scout to his friends and family. The aircraft boasts state-of-the-art features, including powerful engines, advanced navigation systems, and the ability to reach incredible altitudes. With the Air Scout, Tom aims to push the boundaries of aviation and take flight to new heights. However, Tom's plans for the Air Scout take an unexpected turn when he receives a distress signal from a remote and treacherous region. A daring expedition team has encountered a life-threatening situation, and they desperately need help. Without hesitation, Tom decides to use the Air Scout to embark on a rescue mission. As Tom and his friends set out on the rescue mission, they face numerous challenges and obstacles. They encounter harsh weather conditions, dangerous terrains, and unforeseen complications that put their courage and skills to the test. Amidst the dangers, Tom's determination and resourcefulness shine through. He utilizes the Air Scout's advanced capabilities to navigate through rough terrains and adverse weather, displaying the true potential of his groundbreaking invention. Throughout the adventure, readers are taken on a roller-coaster ride of suspense and excitement. They witness Tom's ingenuity in overcoming obstacles and his unwavering commitment to helping those in need. In "Tom Swift and His Air Scout," Victor Appleton weaves a captivating tale of courage, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. The story celebrates the power of technology in making a positive impact on the world and inspires young readers to dream big and pursue their passions. As Tom Swift's reputation as a brilliant inventor grows, the world eag
122 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1919
About the author
Victor Appleton
497 books48 followersVictor Appleton was a house pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate and its successors, most famous for being associated with the Tom Swift series of books.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_...
The character of Tom Swift was conceived in 1910 by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging company. Stratemeyer invented the series to capitalize on the market for children's science adventure. The Syndicate's authors created the Tom Swift books by first preparing an outline with all the plot elements, followed by drafting and editing the detailed manuscript. The books were published under the house name of Victor Appleton. Edward Stratemeyer and Howard Garis wrote most of the volumes in the original series; Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams, wrote the last three volumes. The first Tom Swift series ended in 1941.
In 1954, Harriet Adams created the Tom Swift, Jr., series, which was published under the name "Victor Appleton II". Most titles were outlined and plotted by Adams. The texts were written by various writers, among them William Dougherty, John Almquist, Richard Sklar, James Duncan Lawrence, Tom Mulvey and Richard McKenna. The Tom Swift, Jr., series ended in 1971.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Swift
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_...
The character of Tom Swift was conceived in 1910 by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging company. Stratemeyer invented the series to capitalize on the market for children's science adventure. The Syndicate's authors created the Tom Swift books by first preparing an outline with all the plot elements, followed by drafting and editing the detailed manuscript. The books were published under the house name of Victor Appleton. Edward Stratemeyer and Howard Garis wrote most of the volumes in the original series; Stratemeyer's daughter, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams, wrote the last three volumes. The first Tom Swift series ended in 1941.
In 1954, Harriet Adams created the Tom Swift, Jr., series, which was published under the name "Victor Appleton II". Most titles were outlined and plotted by Adams. The texts were written by various writers, among them William Dougherty, John Almquist, Richard Sklar, James Duncan Lawrence, Tom Mulvey and Richard McKenna. The Tom Swift, Jr., series ended in 1971.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Swift
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 30, 2022
In the book Tom Swift and His Air Scout, Tom’s new invention is a silent airplane motor for an Air Scout plane to be used for stealthy surveillance by the military in the Great War overseas. However, the military was not on his mind when the inspiration for the invention hit. He had more romantic thoughts at the time.
Tom’s motivation for his new invention was the need to talk to his girlfriend, Mary Nestor, during her initial flight with him. She finally agreed to fly with him after he assured her that the plane was safe. Unfortunately, during the flight, the plane hit an “air pocket,” Tom reacted too quickly, and he broke a control. While he repaired the control in mid-flight, the plane was falling. Tom wanted to reassure Mary that there was nothing to fear, but it was difficult talking to her using a communication tube between the pilot and the passenger. The airplane motor noise was the problem. Concern for Mary was the inspiration for his silent airplane motor invention.
As well as Mary Nestor, the other usual characters continue to be around in this book.
In chapter one, Mr. Damon had an idea for an aircraft he called the Damon Whizzer and was trying to get Tom’s attention just as Tom was about to take flight with Mary. Tom considered Mr. Damon to be a good friend, but he was afraid that if he aborted the take-off, he would never get Mary to agree to fly with him again. In any case, if a guy has to choose between his girl friend and some guy friend, he is going to pick his girl friend every time.
Ned Newton returned to the bank where he previously worked. Most recently, he was the Swift family financial manager. Now, he was an important bank official, continuing to sell Liberty Bonds and doing work for the Red Cross. This guy can’t seem to keep a job but always finds a new one.
“I don’t believe it can be done,” said Mr. Swift when Tom told him about his plan for a silent airplane motor. This has been Mr. Swift’s reaction to Tom’s ideas so many times that it makes you wonder how Mr. Swift ever became an inventor himself given his pessimism. Koku and Eradicate Sampson were still at odds with each other, but both were devoted to serving their boss, Tom Swift. Of course, Mrs. Baggert was a stalwart keeping house for the Swift family.
Despite Mr. Swift’s doubts, Tom started the process of inventing a silent airplane motor and an Air Scout airplane for the government. Technical details are presented throughout the book.
Tom was offered $10,000 per year to work for the Universal Flying Machine Company of New York. They wanted him for his “advice and inventive abilities.” The implication was that they would own his creations. Tom declined. Even when the offer was raised to $25,000 per year, Tom declined. Company President Peton Gale and Treasurer Boland Ware were not happy with that. It appeared that new enemies of Tom Swift were created.
The development of the silent motor was not without mishap. Tom demonstrated the prototype silent motor in a lab setting for his friends. Unfortunately, the muffler stopped the engine gases too well, pressure built up, and the motor sort of launched itself off the test bench and through the roof. But, as everyone knows, if at first Tom Swift does not succeed, Tom Swift tries again.
A lot of things happen in this book. A mystery arose during the initial test flight of the Air Scout. There was another employment offer, and a veiled threat, from Gale and Ware. Mary Nestor’s father disappeared. Improvements were made to Tom’s silent motor. Something was christened Silent Sam. There was sabotage. And more.
Nowadays, stealth aircraft are designed to have a small radar cross-section, although reducing the sound of the engines is still an issue. When reading Tom Swift and His Air Scout, remember that it is before the end of the Great War in the story and enjoy this Tom Swift book published soon after. It is a good one.
Tom’s motivation for his new invention was the need to talk to his girlfriend, Mary Nestor, during her initial flight with him. She finally agreed to fly with him after he assured her that the plane was safe. Unfortunately, during the flight, the plane hit an “air pocket,” Tom reacted too quickly, and he broke a control. While he repaired the control in mid-flight, the plane was falling. Tom wanted to reassure Mary that there was nothing to fear, but it was difficult talking to her using a communication tube between the pilot and the passenger. The airplane motor noise was the problem. Concern for Mary was the inspiration for his silent airplane motor invention.
As well as Mary Nestor, the other usual characters continue to be around in this book.
In chapter one, Mr. Damon had an idea for an aircraft he called the Damon Whizzer and was trying to get Tom’s attention just as Tom was about to take flight with Mary. Tom considered Mr. Damon to be a good friend, but he was afraid that if he aborted the take-off, he would never get Mary to agree to fly with him again. In any case, if a guy has to choose between his girl friend and some guy friend, he is going to pick his girl friend every time.
Ned Newton returned to the bank where he previously worked. Most recently, he was the Swift family financial manager. Now, he was an important bank official, continuing to sell Liberty Bonds and doing work for the Red Cross. This guy can’t seem to keep a job but always finds a new one.
“I don’t believe it can be done,” said Mr. Swift when Tom told him about his plan for a silent airplane motor. This has been Mr. Swift’s reaction to Tom’s ideas so many times that it makes you wonder how Mr. Swift ever became an inventor himself given his pessimism. Koku and Eradicate Sampson were still at odds with each other, but both were devoted to serving their boss, Tom Swift. Of course, Mrs. Baggert was a stalwart keeping house for the Swift family.
Despite Mr. Swift’s doubts, Tom started the process of inventing a silent airplane motor and an Air Scout airplane for the government. Technical details are presented throughout the book.
Tom was offered $10,000 per year to work for the Universal Flying Machine Company of New York. They wanted him for his “advice and inventive abilities.” The implication was that they would own his creations. Tom declined. Even when the offer was raised to $25,000 per year, Tom declined. Company President Peton Gale and Treasurer Boland Ware were not happy with that. It appeared that new enemies of Tom Swift were created.
The development of the silent motor was not without mishap. Tom demonstrated the prototype silent motor in a lab setting for his friends. Unfortunately, the muffler stopped the engine gases too well, pressure built up, and the motor sort of launched itself off the test bench and through the roof. But, as everyone knows, if at first Tom Swift does not succeed, Tom Swift tries again.
A lot of things happen in this book. A mystery arose during the initial test flight of the Air Scout. There was another employment offer, and a veiled threat, from Gale and Ware. Mary Nestor’s father disappeared. Improvements were made to Tom’s silent motor. Something was christened Silent Sam. There was sabotage. And more.
Nowadays, stealth aircraft are designed to have a small radar cross-section, although reducing the sound of the engines is still an issue. When reading Tom Swift and His Air Scout, remember that it is before the end of the Great War in the story and enjoy this Tom Swift book published soon after. It is a good one.
January 2, 2018
This book in the original “Tom Swift” series is the successor of several previous books about the young inventor. Like the others, the reader must put aside some of the modern notions of character representations regarding the two black men in Tom’s employ. Furthermore, one needs to adopt the mindset of people living in the first two decades of the twentieth century. One hundred years after the fictitious events of this book, the marvels depicted here don’t seem quite as amazing.
All that aside, this is a book that clearly provided a great deal of motivation for young people to pursue careers in science and technology. In this series, Tom is more of an engineer/machinist than a scientist, yet that is essential, for back then machining operations were largely done on-site. The concept of the mechanized assembly line was just being developed, so when people needed some machining done, they generally did it themselves.
The main invention in this book is that of a complex muffler that will allow planes to run much quieter. The Great War is still raging in Europe with no real glimmer of a victory by the Allies. There are spies and rivals in opposition, mechanical failures and other difficulties in getting things right. There is a hint of romance, but only a hint.
The best part of this book is that it is a look back at the structure of adventure/inventor stories for young people at the start of the twentieth century.
All that aside, this is a book that clearly provided a great deal of motivation for young people to pursue careers in science and technology. In this series, Tom is more of an engineer/machinist than a scientist, yet that is essential, for back then machining operations were largely done on-site. The concept of the mechanized assembly line was just being developed, so when people needed some machining done, they generally did it themselves.
The main invention in this book is that of a complex muffler that will allow planes to run much quieter. The Great War is still raging in Europe with no real glimmer of a victory by the Allies. There are spies and rivals in opposition, mechanical failures and other difficulties in getting things right. There is a hint of romance, but only a hint.
The best part of this book is that it is a look back at the structure of adventure/inventor stories for young people at the start of the twentieth century.
July 20, 2021
Good story
Tom Swift's inventiveness is in full flower in this book. The difficulties in inventing something new are fully shown. I enjoyed this story.
Tom Swift's inventiveness is in full flower in this book. The difficulties in inventing something new are fully shown. I enjoyed this story.
Read
September 4, 2011Good, but the protaganist's actions are almost more summarized then describes, so not much direct drama. Also Tom, just for the needs of the story, seems to be incredibly naive and trusting, when almost every book deals with espionage and the like. Yet lots of Dr. Evil-like statements such as "Yes, that man almost stole secret plans from my safe, but no one would ever do that again. Let's just leave this door open, eh boys?"
February 7, 2014
In this installment Our Hero tom invents a silent airplane engine that will all ow the U.S. planes to fly silently over the Western Front and bring that no good Kaiser to his knees!
Meanwhile some spies kidnap Mr. Nestor, the father of his girlfriend, under the mistaken assumption he is Tom. Tom uses the silent engine to spy on the bad guys from the sky and rescue Mr. Nestor.
Meanwhile some spies kidnap Mr. Nestor, the father of his girlfriend, under the mistaken assumption he is Tom. Tom uses the silent engine to spy on the bad guys from the sky and rescue Mr. Nestor.
June 9, 2012
I read the Tom Swift Sr. books as a child and again when I got my Kindle in 2010. They are an easy read and enjoyable. It is interesting to see how writing has changed since these books were written.
January 2, 2016
Really good old classic young readers book about a young inventor that invents this awesome inventions and then goes on these wild and crazy adventures, sometimes getting into trouble in the process.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews