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50 Aircraft That Changed the World
In this book, the authors of the widely acclaimed Aviation Century series profile 50 of history's most influential aircraft, their pilots and designers.
They begin with the Wright Brothers' 1905 Flyer, then move on to the birth of aerial warfare in World War I, the trailblazers of the interwar years, classic World War II aircraft, the jets of the Korean and Vietnam wars, modern commercial carriers, private jets, experimental designs and new combat fighters featuring stealth technology.
Featured aircraft in 50 Aircraft That Changed the World include:
Fokker E.111
Charles Lindbergh's Ryan NYP
Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega
Messerschmitt Bf 109
Supermarine Spitfire
Boeing B-17
Avro Lancaster
De Havilland Mosquito
Howard Hughes's Lockheed Constellation
Concorde
Learjet
Boeing B-52
Rutan Voyager
Hundreds of color and archival photographs enhance the informative and entertaining text.
617 Squadron: The Dambusters at War
This is a collection of stories from the aircrew themselves garnered through his membership of the wartime 617 Squadron Reunion Association, rather than from official records. The story of Tom McLean in particular is amazing.
A History of 413 Squadron
Since its birth during World War II, Tusker Squadron has served Canada with pride and distinction. From Ceylon to the Arctic, Europe to the Maritimes, it has watched over the waves for more than fifty years.
The men and women of 413 Squadron have dedicated their lives to saving others, including F/L L.J. Birchall - the Saviour of Ceylon - who successfully warned the Allies of the Japanese invasion before being captured. They have patrolled the Indian Ocean, mapped Canada s North, fought in two wars and conducted all-weather interception. Today, they continue to serve faithfully by carrying out invaluable search and rescue duties along the Atlantic and eastern Arctic coasts.
This is their story, brought to life through numerous archival photos and the words of those who served.
A Race on the Edge of Time
Traces the development of radar, explains the strategic edge it gave the Allies in World War II, and argues that it still the most important military invention of all time.
A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warbirds Illustrated No. 40)
It seems generous to call the Fairchild Republic A-10 a fighter, at least by modern standards: whilst most modern fighters are capable of performing an air-to-air mission, the A-10 is limited to the glamourless close air support role. The A-10 does not carry a radar, it cannot rely on high speed for pursuit or escape, and it cannot climb high into the stratosphere beyond the range of ground-based weapons. The A-10 seems to be better classed with the medium bombers of the Second World War such as the North American B-25 Mitchell!
In fact, specifications for the A-10 closely parallel those of the Mitchell: wing span, length and height are almost identical. The A-10's empty weight is only 700lb greater, but with a maximum load the A-10 weighs almost six tons more than the B-25H's eighteen tons. At those weights, the A-10 carries 16,000lb of ordnance compared with the B-25H's 3,2001b. (Much of the B-25's maximum weight was accounted for by five additional crew members and defensive armaments, though there may well be times that an A-10 driver would wish for a tail gunner.) Both aircraft are known for large cannon. The B-25H's 75mm gun was slow-firing and inaccurate and soon discarded in combat use, but the 30mm cannon of the A-10 is a powerful and accurate weapon. With a top speed in the same class as the Mustang or Spitfire, it would seem that the A-10 would have been quite a contender forty years ago!
Since the Second World War, many in the US Air Force have been calling for an aircraft with just these capabilities, and now there is no other aircraft able accurately to deliver as much ordnance to the front lines as can the A-10 Expecting to take hits, it is designed to survive and fly, to be easily repaired, and to fight again. As for defending itself, an F-14 pilot once told me about trying to make gun passes on an A-10: as he moved in, the A-10 pilot turned and reversed. The Navy pilot still seemed amazed as he recounted the story: 'As I flashed by, I could see him turn with me. That big old gun was pointed right at my helmet all the way!'
The majority of the photographs in this book have come from the USAF and Fairchild Republic (with my old friend Theron Rinehart, now retired).
Aces High
A collection of over 250 full color photographs by some of the world's best aviation photographers attempting to capture the components of modern military air power. From the tactical jet fighters and strategic bombers to the spy planes, drones and ground support helicopters, to the tankers, transports and target tugs -- here are the people and technology that combine to create the immense power of a modern air force. Introduction by Walter J. Boyne, the former Director of the National Air and Space Museum of the Simthsonian Institurtion.
Aces Over the Oceans: The Great Pilots of World War II
Aces Over the Oceans draws on interviews with American, German, and British naval fighter pilots to give accounts of the missions flown and the air battles fought over the Pacific Ocean, the North Atlantic, and the North and Norwegian Seas during World War II.
Air War over the Pacific (Warbirds Illustrated No. 36)
Robert C. Stern (ISBN 10 – 0853687358) Softcover 68 pages
AIRCOM: Canada’s Air Force
AIRCOM is a visual feast that shows all the aircraft operated by Air Command. It also focuses upon the people who make the air force work, and on their many bases. A special section deals with Canada's Hornets in the Persian Gulf War.
Aircraft Versus Aircraft: The Illustrated Story of Fighter Pilot Combat from 1914 to the Present Day
As soon as the first aeroplane had proved its value in war it became a target, and the fighter pilot was born. This book tells the story of the men and the aircraft in which they fought, from the rudimentary beginnings of tactics to the sophisticated technology of the present day.
Airshow USA
This pictorial highlights the aishows and aircraft in the United States such as Oshkosh and Reno.
America’s Drug Enforcement Air Force: Customs, Coast Guard, CAP, DEA, and DoD Airborne Drug Busters
This is a photographic history of America's Drug Enforcement Air Force.
Contents cover the aircraft and tactics used by Customs, the Coast Guard, DEA, and DoD Airborne Drug Busters in America's never-ending war on drugs.
America’s Stealth Fighters and Bombers: B-2, F-117, YF-22, and YF-23
See the F-117, B-2, YF-22 and YF-23 in nearly 100 color photos. Close-ups, detail shots, in-flight action photos, refueling, missile firings, even NASA and Air Force One stealth planes. See the F-117 in action in the Gulf War, stealth planes in production, people and patches, and the latest B-2 and YF-22 and 23 shots.
American Air Power: The First 75 Years
A thoroughly engrossing and exceptionally well-written account of American military aviation from the delivery of the first military craft by the Wright brothers in 1909, right up to the present. All the dimensions of America's air involvement are explored in depth, the technological, strategic, tactical, and political considerations that have shaped our nation's air defence policies and practices, the aircraft, the airmen, and the decision makers, the stories behind the headlines, how aviation developed in the Army, Navy, Marines, and finally in a separate Air Force, it's all here, generously illustrated with dozens of photos from military and private archives!
American Warbirds
This is a photographic history of American military aircraft.
Contents cover:
Superfort
Bomber force
Hot pursuits
Top trainers
Cargo classics
An Illustrated History of the RAF
This comprehensive and fully illustrated history of the RAF is surely an achievement that few, if any, other books, have been able to match. From the early day of balloons and experimental flying machines, through two world wars, international incidents for the 'Cold War' to the Falklands campaign and beyond, this outstanding volume, two years in the making, follows the development of the Royal Air Force right up to the present day. An immensely readable text is accompanied by over 600 photographs, many never published before. This is exciting and essential reading for historians and aviation and military enthusiasts, and is a fitting tribute to the many gallant airmen who offered and so often gave their lives in the service of their country.
And I Shall Fly: The Flying Memoirs of Z. Lewis Leigh
Z. Lewis Leigh was the first pilot to work for Trans Canada Airlines in 1937. During World War II, Leigh joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. His first assignment was anti-submarine flying, but was transferred to Transport Command in 1942 where he would beremembered for his excellent administrative abilities, revolutionizing how Transport Command operated. Leigh continued in RCAF service until 1957.
These memoirs chronicle the years he spent devoted to flying.
Apache: Multi-Purpose Attack Helicopter
A pictoral history of the Apache attack helicopter.
Argentine Air Forces in the Falklands Conflict (Warbirds Illustrated No. 45)
This book contains photographs of Argentine aircraft and pilots prior to and during the Falklands Conflict.
Aviation Century: World War II
Beginning in 1939-40 with the German blitzkrieg and the Battle of Britain, aircraft repeatedly turned the tide of war. Their worth was proved in many roles besides bombing and airborne assault, including air defense, support of ground operations, maritime patrol, shipping strikes, transport support and reconnaissance. Warplanes became indispensable and revolutionized the character of war.
In Aviation Century World War II, stunning images of preserved and restored wartime aircraft are combined with archival photographs of the world's first well-photographed war to tell an unprecedented visual story of World War II. The unforgettable images are accompanied by insightful text that explains the strategic role of warplanes and describes the types and models of aircraft used by each nation, and re-tells the dramatic stories of the war.
Forewords for Aviation Century World War II are written by World War II veteran pilots Ramsay Potts and Don Lopez.
Avro Lancaster Manual 1941 onwards (all marks): Owners’ Workshop Manual
The legendary Avro Lancaster receives the famous Haynes Manual treatment with the full co-operation and authorisation of the Royal Air Force. Here is a unique perspective on what it takes to restore and operate a Lancaster, as well as a wonderful insight into the engineering and construction of this remarkable aeroplane. This highly detailed book is based primarily on the Battle of Britain Flight's Lancaster at RAF Coningsby.
Avro Shackleton 1949 to 1991 (all marks): Owners’ Workshop Manual
With a design lineage that stretches back to the legendary Avro Lancaster and its successor the Avro Lincoln, the Avro Shackleton has a distinguished parentage.
Avro Vulcan 1952 Onwards (B2 model): Owners’ Workshop Manual
The awesome Avro Vulcan is an enduring image of the Cold War era when the world stood on the brink of nuclear annihilation. For many years the RAF's delta-wing jet bomber was the cornerstone of Britain's nuclear deterrent. Read about the Vulcan's operational history and take a close-up look at its construction. Discover what it takes to own and fly the mighty V-bomber, and find out how engineers keep it airworthy. Centrepiece of the manual is Vulcan XH558 - the world's only flying example of an Avro Vulcan.
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B-52 Stratofortress: The Complete History of the World’s Longest Serving and Best Known Bomber
The B-52 is the longest serving and most versatile of the United States Air Force's combat aircraft. The Stratofortress entered active service in 1955 and is scheduled to continue as part of the air force's inventory through 2040. The jet-powered bomber was a mainstay of America's Cold War nuclear-deterrent strategy, providing air power that balanced the land and sea military forces. The massive plane also served as the launch platform for the experimental X-15 hypersonic rocket aircraft. Due to its versatility as an aircraft, the B-52 has seen combat service in all of America's military conflicts since it came on active duty: Vietnam, the first and second Gulf wars, and the War in Afghanistan.
B-52 Stratofortress also covers every aspect of the aircraft's development, manufacture, and modification. These technical details set the stage for its military service, starting with its role as a nuclear bomber in the Cold War even though only conventional weapons have been used during its combat duty. The airplane's service in key campaigns in Vietnam is covered, followed by the quieter years after it. The B-52 returned to prominence in the Gulf Wars and Afghanistan, taking part in massive bombing campaigns in both conflicts. Finally, the book ends with the constant upgrades that will keep the B-52 an integral part of U.S. airpower for decades to come.
Battle of Britain Day: 15 September 1940
On 15 September 1940 the Luftwaffe mounted two massive daylight raids on London. RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes responded, and the resulting air combats were among the most concentrated ever fought, with eight aircraft destroyed in mid-air collisions alone. Those momentous events are still commemorated each year on "Battle of Britain Day", and Alfred Price's book documents the memories and first-hand accounts of those who witnessed them in the air and on the ground.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is the RAF's premier vintage aircraft display team. The BBMF is one of the most important collections of air-worthy historic aircraft in existence. The Flight showcases classic, well-loved aircraft of the Second World War, including an Avro Lancaster, seven Supermarine Spitfires, two Hawker Hurricanes, a Douglas Dakota and two de Havilland Chipmunks. A stunning collection of air-to-air action photographs supplies the most spectacular images in the book, but the author also explores restoration processes and the constant engineering work necessary to keep these aircraft in operational condition.
Battlefield Helicopters
The military helicopter is shown its various roles: tank killer; battlefield backup; observer/general duties; combat rescue.
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Beyond the Horizon: The Story of Lockheed
The author of the definitive history of the U.S. Air Force, Beyond the Wild Blue, now reveals the people and technology responsible for transforming Lockheed into the most profitable, prestigious, and influential company in the aerospace industry.
Beyond the Wild Blue: A History of the U.S. Air Force: 1947-1997
Beyond the Wild Blue is a fascinating look at fifty turbulent years of Air Force history. From the prop-driven armada of World War II to the most advanced Stealth weaponry, from pioneers like General Henry "Hap" Arnold to glorious conquests in the Gulf War, Beyond the Wild Blue is a high-flying study of the triumphs (and failures) of leadership and technology.
Big Bombers: Strategic Air Command’s B-52s, Swingwings, and Stealth
Robert F. Dorr & J. Benson Softcover 128 pages Out of Print. New old stock.
Billy Bishop, VC
A brief account of the life and career of the First World War, Canadian fighter pilot, Billy Bishop.
Billy Bishop: Canadian Hero
Billy Bishop was fiercely ambitious, driven by an undisguised hatred of his enemies. He played hard and fought even harder. A highly skilled pilot and a crack shot, "top gun" of the Allied air forces, by 1918 Bishop was the most highly decorated war hero in Canadian history.
He remains the most controversial. Some of Bishop's fellow pilots were repelled by his grandstanding and suspected he was deliberately inflating his number of "kills." Since then, the claim has been repeated by many others. This issue is at the heart of Billy Bishop: Canadian Hero.
In this updated second edition, author Dan McCaffery reviews the evidence in support his account of what Bishop really did in the skies over France, setting the record straight about one of this country's most famous and controversial figures.
Bird’s Eye View
Rose, a Canadian intelligence officer in Britain in World War II, struggles with conflicting feelings about the war and a superiors attention.
Rose Jolliffe is an idealistic young woman living on a farm with her family in Saskatchewan. After Canada declares war against Germany in World War II, she joins the British Womens Auxiliary Air Force as an aerial photographic interpreter. Working with intelligence officers at RAF Medmenham in England, Rose spies on the enemy from the sky, watching the war unfold through her magnifying glass.
When her commanding officer, Gideon Fowler, sets his sights on Rose, both professionally and personally, her prospects look bright. But can he be trusted? As she becomes increasingly disillusioned by the destruction of war and Gideons affections, tragedy strikes, and Roses world falls apart.
Rose struggles to rebuild her shattered life, and finds that victory ultimately lies within herself. Her path to maturity is a painful one, paralleled by the slow, agonizing progress of the war and Canadas emergence from Britains shadow.
Black Magic: America’s Spyplanes : SR-71 and U-2
This is perhaps the most classic and famous collection of de-classified pictures of the world's greatest airplane.
Boeing B-17 and B-29 Fortress and Superfortress Portfolio
One of a series comprising technical descriptions - cutaway drawings - genealogy - combat and operational records from contemporary articles from Flight, The Aeroplane and Aircraft Production, with modern material from Aeorplane Monthly.