Aviation
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Total Force: Flying with America’s Reserve and Guard
Total Force features fighter and attack planes, airlift and tankers, special task aircraft, and helicopters of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, and Marine Corps Reserve. Also included is a reference section with with brief descriptions of each aircraft, flight specifications, and three-view drawings. Interviews reveal the pride pilots and crew take in their planes, their missions, and their fellow reservists.
Tumult in the Clouds: British Experience of War in the Air, 1914-1918
A history describing the human endeavours of the pioneers of military aviation in the First World War. Using personal testaments incorporating fresh oral material, diaries and letters the authors show how life chagned from the early days of unarmed encounters to the deadly combat of the final years.
Typhoon and Tempest at War
Although they played a significant part in the Allied victory in the air in World War II, the Typhoon and Tempest series of fighters have passed largely unsung. This book sets out to rectify that omission, plotting the course, with all its many disappointments, of the inspired Sydney Camm design which started off just before the war as the Tornado and finished up after hostilities as the Fury, the fastest prop-powered fighter in the world. The early days of Typhoon development were trying ones for all concerned at Hawkers and the many other aircraft companies involved. There was severe mechanical trouble with the engine; there was a structural fault that caused tails to snap off, and then the Air Ministry wanted to cancel the project because it failed to meet its design specification as a high-altitude fighter. But championed by Roland Beamont, co-author of this book, and a few others who had faith in it, the Typhoon became one of the most potent weapons of air assault when Britain began to go on the offensive against Nazi Germany. And in the Tempest, which developed out of the Typhoon, Britain found a timely shield against the V1s when these pilotless flying bombs were raining on London.
US Navy Air Wings: Flamboyant Markings 1965-1975
This is a photographic history of aircraft markings used American Navy between 1965 and 1975.
US Sky Spies Since World War I
Captioned photographs plus text describe the history of specialized aircraft and the men and equipment associated with them.
US Spyplanes (Warbirds Illustrated No. 24)
Ever since the first aerial photograph was taken, from a military observation balloon, commanders have been fascinated with this capability, and over the years systems have evolved into extremely sophisticated devices, capable of gathering all forms of data, from low-level tactical observation to Earth-orbit, high-resolution photography. Today's satellite systems afford facilities for very high quality elint (electronics intelligence) and photographic reconnaissance, but, complementing the data returned from space, that collected by the manned aircraft is still vital, and the need for immediate, accurate information has led to the development of stable and flexible reconnaissance platforms known as `spyplanes'.
We will, in this volume, only glimpse the strategic reconnaissance story. Missions are usually carried out under a cloak of extreme secrecy by a single aircraft. No weapons are carried, nor payloads delivered, only the probing eyes of photo-optical systems or the invisible impulses of electronic sensors. Even when a particular mission is successful, there can be no disclosure or claim of recognition. The need for policy makers to have an immediate assessment of a global 'hot spot' or to accumulate the information necessary to determine long-term strategy depends on reconnaissance capabilities. Within this realm we will look at several of the truly amazing aircraft that have been produced to meet this need.
Many aircraft specifically developed to carry out a strategic reconnaissance role have become 'classics' and have performed well beyond what could originally have been imagined. In this respect, special recognition must go to the creative design genius of Clarence `Kelly' Johnson of the Lockheed-California Company: his name and successful futuristic aircraft are synonymous. It is difficult to believe that the Lockheed U-2, first flown in 1955, is, in the form of the U-2R/TR-1, still contributing today. As far as we know, the U-2 has gone back into production at least three times since its inception. The F-12 series of high-performance Mach 3+ aircraft was originally developed as a programme of advanced interceptors. The design finally evolved into the SR-71, which is featured heavily in this volume. Strategic Air Command keeps 'an unspecified number' of Blackbirds on flight status and another 'unspecified number' in flyable storage. They are rotated in and out as demand arises and budgets allow. Although the airframe itself reportedly acquires strength through age, many subsystems have to be replaced on a continuing basis.
Unlike that of the U-2, the SR-71's tooling was destroyed after the initial production run. Perhaps this tells us something; perhaps more efficient tooling methods for a follow-on aircraft were being considered many years ago. In some areas the cloak of mystery is being gently lifted, but we can only speculate about the future. For now, we must study what we have.
For their assistance with photographs for this volume, special thanks go to Bob Ferguson, Lockheed-California Co.; Jim Goodall; John Andrews; Lt. Col. John Alexander USAF, Offutt AFB; and Nancy Lovato (NASA/Dryden FRF).
USAAF Fighters of World War Two
Covers all the fighters that the Army Air Force used or developed during WW2 and covers fighters from P-35's through the P-83. A substantial detailed study of all USAAF fighters which fought in WWII, including prototypes that did not make it to production. Covers the aircraft history, variants and theatres of operation. Photographs and specification detail throughout.
V/STOL: The Key to Survival
A V/STOL or vertical and/or short take-off and landing aircraft is an airplane able to take-off or land vertically or on short runways.
In this book Roy Braybrook, who has been professionally concerned with V/STOL design and marketing for many year's, examines the operational arguments for V/STOL and possible lines of future development.
Hawker's P.1127 'Jump Jet' technology demonstrator first left the ground in 1960, and successfully completed transitions between jetborne and wingborne flight in the following year. After Britain had abandoned supersonic V/STOL fighter development in 1965, the subsonic Harrier entered service with the RAF in 1969, and (as the AV-8A) with the USMC in 1971.
It is arguable that V/STOL was the most important technological development in military aerospace since the advent of the supersonic fighter in the 1950s. In essence, V/STOL made combat aircraft immune not only from NBC attacks on airfields but also from any degree of runway damage. In the naval sphere, it made high performance fixed-wing operations practical from relatively small ships. It was also the only major post-war aspect of aerospace technology in which Britain achieved a world lead.
Despite the importance of V/STOL, support for the concept has been half-hearted, even in the UK. The RAF's ground attack element has employed greater numbers of CTOL
Jaguars than V/STOL Harriers. The opportunity to pioneer a second generation subsonic V/STOL attack aircraft with vastly improved warload-radius performance was left to America, and Britain thus abandoned the V/STOL lead. The best that Britain can now hope for is a junior partnership in a supersonic naval V/STOL fighter development that will hopefully take place around the turn of the century.
Valiant Air Command
This is a photographic history of aircraft of the Valiant Air Command.
Contents cover:
T-28 Trojan
T-34 Mentor
Texan variations
'Bad Guys'
'Seabirds'
Electra
Bomber Stream
VAC transports
From Recruit to Pursuit
VAC people
Vietnam Helicopter Handbook
A reference book for all aviation enthusiasts and historians of war describing every type of helicopter used in the numerous stages of the Vietnam conflict giving full particulars for each variant and combat adaptation.
Vietnam MiG Killers: Deadly Duel Over Vietnam
Discusses the role of aerial combat in the Vietnam War and depicts the aircraft that fought there.
Vimana Aircraft of Ancient India & Atlantis
In this incredible volume on ancient India, authentic Indian texts such as the Ramayana and the Mahabhata are used to prove that ancient aircraft were in use more than 4000 years ago. Included is the entire 4th century BC manuscript Vimaanika Shastra plus chapters on Atlantean technology and the incredible Rama Empire of India and the devastating wars that destroyed it. Also an entire chapter on mercury vortex propulsion and mercury gyros, the power source described in the ancient Indian texts.
VTOL: Military Research Aircraft
A comprehensive history of vertical take-off and landing aircraft examines VTOL experimentation, development, and deployment, as well as the different types of VTOL aircraft from tailsitters to vectored jets.
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War Paint: Fighter Nose Art from WWII & Korea
This book provides reveals the themes and patterns used by American airmen to individualize their planes during World War II and the Korean War.
NOS, OP, but publisher has printed pages 49 to 60 upside down. Still a relevant book for modelers and other interested persons
Wellington: Mainstay of Bomber Command
Peter Cooksley, an expert aviation author, presents the story of a "reliable old work horse," a second World War aircraft. A comprehensive biography of the Wellington Bomber (otherwise known as the Wimpy) in its various forms, compiled by Peter Cooksley from the recollections of Aircraftmen, Wing Commanders, Lieutenant-Generals and Mechanics involved in its flights; with memories spanning from the 1936 birth of Barnes Wallace's invention to the 1950s, and including bombing raids, aerial battles, ditchings in hostile terrains, near misses, tragic losses, post-war activities of famine relief flights and peacetime training exercises; and the all important tasks of maintenance and repair.
Winged Peace: The Story of the Air Age
First published in 1944, Winged Peace is the story of aviation, and its future as seen through the eyes of Canada's leading fighter pilot ace in World War I. From Kitty Hawk to B-29 Superfortresses, Bishop shows us how the world had changed geographically, socially, economically, and politically. Bishop wrote Winged Peace during the darkest years of World War II, when Germany had perfected flight for conquest. He examines air power as an instrument for death, as well as the advances in peace and betterment for all that flight is capable of making. There is no greater testament to the imagination and resourcefulness of people than the incredible development and growth of aviation technology in this century. Bishop recognizes this and also the need for international control of air power: 'holding under closest control the means to destruction inherent in aviation and developing our aviation for the good of all mean and the peace of world.
Winged Warfare: The Illustrared Classic Autobiography of Canadian World War I Ace Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop enlisted as an infantryman at the outbreak of World War I. He soon transferred to the Royal Flying Corps where flying came as naturally to him as breathing. In this classic autobiography, Billy Bishop vividly recreates the early days when the 'airborne jalopy' was getting its trial run. He describes the tiny Nieuport Scout, armed with a single Lewis gun, in which he had to dodge the 'Archies' (anti-aircraft batteries) and fight the scarlet tri-winged Fokkers flown by the formidable Baron von Richthofen and his squadron. The heroic memoir that portrays a real Canadian hero facing a skilled and determined enemy - Winged Warfare gets more exciting with every take off.
Wings
Shows and describes American military aircraft, including fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, and reconaissance planes, and shares the comments of pilots.
Wings Across Canada: An Illustrated History of Canadian Aviation
From the eccentric Fairey Battle to the lethal-looking CF-18, from modern airliners that have no defects (and no character) to the classic North Star (which had both), here is the ultimate line-up of the aircraft that have served Canadians in the last century. With over one hundred photographs of fifty historic planes, Wings Across Canada is a retrospective of Canadas aeronautical technology. This book does not compare the planes, nor claim that all are "classics" in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, it is a celebration of a love affair with aircraft that all served a purpose in their own time.
Wings of Yesteryear: The Golden Age of Private Aircraft
A nostalgic look at the golden age of personal flight, when the incredible aircraft of the 1920s, '30s, and '40s were pushing every known limit, and doing it with flair. The impeccable style and ever-increasing performance of stunning open-cockpit and cabin-class monoplanes and biplanes such as the Curtiss Jenny, Beech Staggerwing, Stinson Reliant, Luscombe Phantom, and Spartan Executive are all captured here. A detailed text traces the evolution of the airplanes and society. An exceptional collection of the most beautiful aircraft of the era-a feast of pure nostalgia!
Wings Over the West: Russ Baker and the Rise of Pacific Western Airlines
Wings Over the West is the history of Pacific Western Airlines, founded by one of the greatest bush pilots in the world, Russ Baker.
Pacific Western Airlines was a pioneer in the aviation history and known for its ability to profitably operate short haul air routes. The company raised profits and reserves and eventually formed Canadian Airlines in 1987. In 2001, Air Canada took over the entities that Pacific Western Airlines had created.
Wings Over the Yukon: A Photographic History of Yukon Aviation
In his sixth aviation history book, author Bruce McAllister takes the reader on a photographic journey, tracing the development of aviation in the Yukon Territory. There are chapters on the very first aircraft to operate in the Yukon, how aviation linked communities, the construction of the Alaska Highway, the role of the RCMP Air section, epic search and rescue missions, the air tankers role in firefighting, the opening up of the Arctic, the glacier pilots, and aerials of the old airstrips.
Wolfpack: Hunting Migs Over Vietnam
Here is the true story of the daring aerial combat adventures in Vietnam performed by the U.S. Air Force's MiG hunter-killer squadrons: the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing.
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Women in Aviation
This title explores the scope of women's activities in aviation, from the time of the Wright Brothers to the present day. After highlighting the earliest female aviators, as well as the trailblazers of the inter-war period such as Amy Johnson and Amelia Earhart, the book goes on to examine the experience of women in aviation during the Second World War, including the American Women Airforce Service Pilots and those flying with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The post-war years are also covered and the title emphasizes the growth in women's participation in civil and military spheres of aviation -- by the last decades of the twentieth century, women had progressed even further, undertaking many of the jobs previously reserved for men, including space flight and combat flying. From the earliest women to obtain pilot's licenses to the female astronauts of the modern day, this is a concise introduction to the development of American and British women's roles in aviation.
World War II Nose Art in Color
Presents original World War II era color photographs of the sometimes comic, sometimes bawdy original paintings with which American flyers decorated their aircraft.
Yesterday We Were in America
The author sets the background to the flight against the birth of manned powered flight and Britain in the aftermath of the First World War. He goes on to describe the record breaking flight in detail, drawing on Alcock and Browns written records and their flying log book, and concludes with a round-up of the fates of all the pioneers who are mentioned in the narrative, and the flights legacy for Everyman. Now published as a paperback, Yesterday We Were in America is the first accurate and atmospheric account of one of the most significant and dramatic flights in history.
Zemke’s Wolf Pack: The True Story of Hub Zemke and the 56th Fighter Group
One of America's most effective and charismatic World War II fighter squadron leaders tells his whole dramatic, little-known story of how he contributed so much to victory in Europe. Four 8-page black-and-white photo inserts.