The F4F and FM Wildcat aircraft was the US Navy's front-line fighter in the early days of WWII. This iconic aircraft was designed and produced by Grumman, as well as the newly-formed Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors. As larger and more powerful fighters joined the fleet in the later stages of the war, the Wildcat remained in the fray, ......

This book is a concise, illustrated history of the US Navy and Marine Corps' most versatile jet strike fighter, the Boeing F/A-18 A-D Legacy Hornet. Presenting an historical perspective of the Legacy Hornet from its origins through today's use in the fleet, this edition explores the aircraft's various model upgrades and variants. The F/A-18 began ......

Part of the new Fact File series: fundamental knowledge for aviation enthusiasts, covering a vast number of brands and model history with technical data, facts and images

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is probably one of the most photographed jet aircraft of all time. Over 200 colour and historic black and white images are included here.

An impressive photographic tribute to a particularly iconic aircraft type. Features striking colour photographs throughout, many of which have never been published before.

Examines a variety of aspects of the air war over Britain during the First World War, drawing on unpublished sources.

Developed to meet a Soviet Ministry of Defense requirement for a fast bomber that would counter the threat posed by NATO, the Tu-16 was a ground-breaking project. It was the first Soviet medium bomber to feature swept wings, and it was built around a pair of turbojets that were the world's most powerful jet engines at the time. First flown in ......

The events of December 7, 1941 shocked the world and catapulted the United States into war. This new history of Pearl Harbor explores the strategy, politics, diplomacy and espionage leading to the raid, and the experiences of the men and women caught up in the raid.

Formed shortly after the outbreak of World War 2, and equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109Es, Jagdgeschwader 1 was initally tasked to defend the regional North Sea and Baltic coastal areas and the Germany's main port cities and naval bases. The greatest task for JG 1 though came after 1942 in its defence of the Reich against the US Eighth Air ......

Allied fighter pilots began encountering German jets - principally the outstanding Me 262 fighter - from the autumn of 1944. Stunned by the aircraft's speed and rate of climb, it took USAAF and RAF units time to work out how to combat this deadly threat as the Luftwaffe targeted the medium and heavy bombers attacking targets across the Reich. A ......

Enjoying continuous frontline service with the RAF for nearly 30 years, the supersonic English Electric Lightning jet was the Spitfire of its era and the last of a special breed of fighter aircraft.

Understanding Air Warfare provides the reader with a clear understanding of the key debates surrounding air power, one of the newest and most important forms of modern warfare. The exploitation of the air for military purposes has been a source of much contention since the first employment of aircraft in war by the Italians in 1911. The debate ......

Understanding Air Warfare provides the reader with a clear understanding of the key debates surrounding air power, one of the newest and most important forms of modern warfare. The exploitation of the air for military purposes has been a source of much contention since the first employment of aircraft in war by the Italians in 1911. The debate ......

Mark A. Chambers charts the history and output of Hawker Aircraft Ltd from Sopwith onwards, through the Harrier's development, production, flight testing and operational and combat history, and also considers its future replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

First detailed account of the life of Australia's first Military Pilot, meticulously researched by the author over several years.

Contains 250 photographs, many previously unpublished, of German paratroopers (Fallschirmjger) in action during the Second World War.

Covers all aspects of Operation Varsity, the last large-scale Allied operation of World War II and the largest single day airborne drop in history.

Explains the novel use of the Zeppelins for reconnaissance and long-range strategic bombing of Britain as a terror weapon.

Riveting first-hand memoirs of a Buccaneer pilot during the Cold War.

First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 - known to the western world as the Bear - had its share of teething troubles, however it became the backbone of Cold War Soviet strategic aviation.

Comprehensive account of US military helicopters in war and peace up the present day.

With the US Air Force recently introducing a Mach 6 strike aircraft, preparations are now underway to launch a new, ultra-stealthy bomber. This book places those preparations in historic context.

The life of Gerhard Fieseler: decorated First World War fighter pilot, world aerobatics champion, creator of the legendary Storch reconnaissance aircraft and builder of the V-1.

10 fold-out A3-format scale plans for 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale modellers for the Polish trainer aircraft used in military and civil aviation from 1957 to the 1970s.

Initially developed by Savoia-Marchetti as a transport, the aircraft had evolved into a dedicated medium bomber by the time the S.79-I made its combat debut in the Spanish Civil War in 1936. During World War 2, it became Italy's most successful bomber, and the most produced, with around 1370 built between 1936 and early 1944. Although initially ......

This is a story about hundreds of very young, very brave men who overcame their self-preservation instincts to fight in one of the most costly and fiercely fought aerial engagements in history. It was Mission 115 flown by the 8th U.S. Air Force October 14, 1943 (this was the second raid on Schweinfurt). The objective was to cripple Germany's ......

By the time the Americans began their aerial bombardment of Japan in 1944, both the JAAF and IJNAF were spent forces. What the Japanese did have though was the Ki-44 "Tojo". Armed with two 40 mm cannon, it was the most heavily armed and feared single-seat fighter to see action against the new American bomber, the B-29 Superfortress. For the bomber ......

The TSR2 is one of the greatest 'what-if' aircraft of the Cold War, whose cancellation still generates anger and controversy among aviation fans. It was a magnificent, cutting-edge aircraft, one of the most striking of the Cold War, but fell victim to cost overruns, overambitious requirements, and politics. Its scrapping marked the point when ......

This is a story about hundreds of very young, very brave men who overcame their self-preservation instincts to fight in one of the most costly and fiercely fought aerial engagements in history.

It was Mission 115 flown by the 8th U.S. Air Force October 14, 1943 (this was the second raid on Schweinfurt). The objective was to cripple ......

US planning for the invasion and military occupation of Imperial Japan was begun in 1943, two years before the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Codenamed Operation Downfall, it called for the invasion to be carried out in two stages. Hell To Pay: Operation Downfall: the Invasion of Japan, 1945-1947 examine this subject in detail.

Aircraft of World War II details the design and specifications of 75 of the most important warplanes used during the conflict, from the venerable Fairey Swordfish biplane, through legendary aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire and Douglas C-47 Dakota, to the Messerschmitt Me-262, the first operational jet fighter. Presenting the information ......

Modern Military Aircraft is a fascinating guide to the most important military aircraft developed since World War II. This highly illustrated book features a wide range of aircraft that served in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, conflicts in the Middle East and the Falklands. Types of aircraft range from front line fighters to ......

"At age 36, Laurence S. Kuter (1905-1979) became the youngest general officer since William T. Sherman. He served as deputy commander of allied tactical air forces in North Africa during World War II and helped devise the American bombing strategy in Europe. Although his combat contributions were less notable than other commanders in the Eighth ......

The Royal Air Force Day by Day is a diary of significant daily events providing a fascinating record of the RAF's 100-year history, illustrated with more than 500 photographs.

From the authors of the "New York Times" bestselling "The Heart of Everything That Is "and "Halsey s Typhoon" comes the dramatic, untold story of a daredevil bomber pilot and his misfit crew who fly their lone B-17 into the teeth of the Japanese Empire in 1943, engage in the longest dogfight in history, and change the momentum of the War in the ......