Here are some books where you can find useful data, illustration, valuable bibliography.

1. ESDU Series: Aerodynamics.
   Review: It consists of 37 volumes with a total of 305 Data Items, covering a wide range of data and methods for aicraft design, space rockets, weapon systems. From general items to specialized information, this is an encyclopedia of the engineering aerodynamic practice. Useful address for further information: http:/www.esdu.com.

2. Jordan DP, Mintz MP. Air Tables, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1965.
   Review: Tabulated data of compressible one-dimensional flow of real gases at thermodynamic conditions most likely to be encountered in the laboratory and in the wind tunnel.

3. Van Dyke M. An Album of Fluid Motion, The Parabolic Press, Stanford, CA, 1988.
   Review: MUST HAVE, to look up how some basic flows look like. Beautiful wakes, shock waves, flow separation. Good for teaching.

4. Visualization Society of Japan (ed.), Atlas of Visualization, Vol. 1, Pergamon Press, 1992
   Review: unlike van Dyke’s book, this is compilation of technical papers, with some details on visualization instrumentation. Most of the visualizations are sharp color plates, and include vortex flows, bifurcations, jets, shocks, oscillating bodies and turbine cascades.

5. Lugt H. Vortex Flow in Nature and Technology, John Wiley and Sons, 1983.
   Review: Basic and advanced concepts in vortex flows, separation, instability, turbulence. Wide spectrum of interesting topics, well illustrated, with large bibliography. Recommended.

6. Merzkirch, W. Flow Visualization, Academic Press, NY, 1974.
   Review: Methods for flow visualization, including dye, smoke vapor; methods for compressible flows (Schlieren, interferometer); methods with heat additions. Unfortunately, the book stops at the mid 1970s, and the latest technology is not included. However, it is an important basic book.

7. Smits AJ and Lim TT. Flow Visualization: Techniques and Examples, World Scientific, 2000.

8. Parker SP (editor), Fluid Mechanics Source Book, McGraw-Hill, 1988.
   Review: Reference book, including definitions of all the known dimensionless parameters (over 200 of them!). Good and concise bibliography.

9. Jackson P. (editor). All the World’s Aircraft 2000-2001, Jane’s Information System, 2000 (Note that this book is published – fully updated – every year).
   Review: All you wanted to know about aircraft. They even write on when a certain Russian aircraft has made its first flight, by referencing US satellite imaging ! – I can only recommend the reading, since it is a quite expensive item.

10. Donald D. (editor), The Encyclopedia of World’s Aircraft , Blitz Editions, London 1998 (ISBN 1-85605-375-X)
    Review: Cheaper and complementary book to Jane’s. Over 2,500 aircraft from all times. Quick and concice information, although not relevant from the point of view of aerodynamics. Recommended.

11. Taylor, MJH (editor). World Aircraft and Systems Directory – Flight International 3rd Edition, Reed Information Ltd, Surrey, UK, 2002.
    Review: It is on the same level as Jane’s, with plenty of data, although it contains info on missiles and engines, as well. There there are data on aircraft, general aviation, helicopters and airships.

12. Taylor, MJ. World Aircraft & Systems Directory, Flight International, 2002.
    Review: Similar to Jane’s (above), combines technical details, programme notes etc for all types of aircraft, along with missiles and radars. With good line drawings and illustrations.

13. Gunston WT (editor), Flight Handbook: The theory and practice of powered flight, Iliffe Books Ltd, 1962.
    Review: It’s a reference book that complements the encyclopaedias reported above. It does stop at 1960, but it containts a chapter on aerodynamics, flight dynamics, structures, propulsion systems and navigation. There is an appendix with summary of aircraft and engine data, and a number of good technical drawings.

14. AIAA, Aerospace Design Engineers Guide, AIAA Design Eng. Committee, 4th edition, Reston, VA, 1998
    Review: There isn’t even an index. It’s completely useless. I shouldn’t have bought this book. I had a bad day.