Air forces and warfare Books
Pen & Sword Books Ltd B29 Superfortress
Book SynopsisThe Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a four-engined heavy bomber flown primarily by the United States in World War Two and the Korean War. The B-29 remained in service in various roles throughout the 1950s. The British Royal Air Force flew the B-29 and used the name Washington for the type, and the Soviet Union produced an unlicensed copy as the Tupolev Tu-4. The name Superfortress was derived from that of its well-known predecessor, the B-17 Flying Fortress. The B-29 was the progenitor of a series of Boeing-built bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, trainers and tankers including the variant, B-50 Superfortress. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War Two. A very advanced bomber for its time, it included features such as pressurized cabins, an electronic fire-control system and remote-controlled machine-gun turrets. Though it was designed as a high-altitude daytime bomber, in practice it actually flew more low-altitude nighttime incendiary bombing missions
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Battle of Britain on the Big Screen
Book SynopsisExamines six productions that deal with the history of the Battle of Britain.
£18.70
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Against Hitlers Luftwaffe in the Balkans
Book SynopsisExplores the Kingdom of Yugoslavia's aerial battle against Hitler's forces in March and April 1941.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Spitfire Down
Book SynopsisDeeply moving stories of fourteen pilots of the iconic Spitfire fighter who failed to return.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Military LowLevel Flying From F4 Phantom to F35
Book SynopsisReveals how the United Kingdom has some of the most dramatic landscapes that can be used by pilots to train in the vital skill of low flying.
£28.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Argentine Flying Fortress
Book SynopsisAviation specialist Santiago Rivas tells the story of how these unique planes succeeded against superior enemy equipment during the Guerra de las Malvinas, or the Falklands War.
£21.25
Penguin Books Ltd Tumult in the Clouds
Book SynopsisIn 1918, the RAF was established as the world''s first independent air force. To mark the 100th anniversary of its creation, Penguin are publishing the Centenary Collection, a series of six classic books highlighting the skill, heroism esprit de corps that have characterised the Royal Air Force throughout its first century.Anglo-American James Goodson''s war began on Sept 3rd 1939, when the SS Athenia was torpedoed and sank off the Hebrides. Surviving the sinking and distinguishing himself rescuing survivors, Goodson immediately signed on with the RAF. He was an American, but he wanted to fight.Goodson flew Spitfires with an RAF Eagle Squadron before later joining his countrymen with the Fourth Fighter Group to get behind the controls of Thunderbolts and Mustangs where he became known as ''King of the Strafers''.Chock full of breathtaking descriptions of aerial dogfights as well as the stories of others of the heroic ''few'', Tumult i
£9.49
Amberley Publishing First World War in the Air
Book SynopsisThe gripping story of the conflict in the air during the Great War
£17.00
Amberley Publishing How to Fly a Battle of Britain Fighter
Book SynopsisHow do you fly a Spitfire, or a Messerschmitt or even a Hurricane? Using original Pilots Notes, Campbell McCutcheon introduces you to the famous aircraft of the Battle of Britain.
£11.69
Amberley Publishing Spitfire Ace
Book SynopsisThe amazing story of one of âthe Fewâ, Spitfire fighter pilot Gordon Olive, who shot down ten enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain.
£11.69
Amberley Publishing US Air Force Bases in the UK
Book SynopsisExplore this revealing, well illustrated look back at American airbases in Britain in the post-war era.Trade Review‘Fascinating and beautifully illustrated… A timely and important book.’ -- Battle of Britain historian James Holland
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Alarmstart The German Fighter Pilots Experience
Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - The experiences of the German fighter pilots in the Second World War, based on extensive recollections of veterans as well as primary documents, and diary and flying log book extracts, with photographs from the veterans themselves, many never previously published.Trade Review‘A fascinating read’ -- Aeroplane Monthly‘A rare original perspective with new information’ -- Military History Monthly
£10.44
Amberley Publishing The Nimrod
Book SynopsisMartyn Chorlton takes a lavishly illustrated look at the iconic maritime patrol aircraft - the Nimrod.
£13.49
Amberley Publishing The Buccaneer
The Blackburn, later Hawker Siddeley, Buccaneer enjoyed an incredible service career that lasted over four decades. Designed as a carrier-borne attack aircraft, the Buccaneer was a solid aircraft designed to take the punishment of carrier operations and the constant stresses to the airframe caused by low-level flying. The aircraft entered service with the Royal Navy in 1962 in place of the Supermarine Scimitar and would continue with the senior service until 1978. The RAF received their first aircraft in 1969 – a legacy of the cancelled TSR.2 and F-111K, which resulted in a capability gap that had to be closed. The Buccaneer went on to serve the RAF in the low-level strike and reconnaissance role until 1994, serving with distinction during the Gulf War of early 1991. A robust and reliable aircraft that was popular with both its air and ground crews, the Buccaneer was a breed apart. A truly great British piece of engineering.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing USAFE in the 1980s
Book SynopsisThe lavishly illustrated story of the United States Air Forces in Europe in the 1980s. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing SAC in the 1980s
Book SynopsisThe lavishly illustrated story of Strategic Air Command in the 1980s. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing US Naval Aviation in the 1980s Atlantic and
Book SynopsisThe lavishly illustrated story of US Naval Aviation in the 1980s. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations.Trade Review'The text provides plenty of information about the US Navy’s air stations of the period and, of course, the aircraft too. Modellers interested in portraying different colour schemes have a happy halfway house here, as the 1980s was the period when high-vis liveries were still prevalent, but the employment of low-vis greys began to blossom.' -- Key Model World
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Alarmstart East
Book SynopsisNew B-format paperback edition. The experiences of the German fighter pilots in the Second World War, based on extensive recollections of veterans as well as primary documents, and diary and flying log book extracts, with photographs from the veterans themselves, many never previously published.
£10.44
Pan Macmillan The Kamikaze Hunters
Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller.In May 1945, with victory in Europe established, the war was all but over. But on the other side of the world, the Allies were still engaged in a bitter struggle to control the Pacific. And it was then that the Japanese unleashed a terrible new form of warfare: the suicide pilots, or Kamikaze.Drawing on meticulous research and unique personal access to the remaining survivors, Will Iredale follows a group of young men from the moment they joined up through their initial training to the terrifying reality of fighting against pilots who, in the cruel last summer of the war, chose death rather than risk their country's dishonourable defeat and deliberately flew their planes into Allied aircraft carriers. A story of courage, valour and dogged determination, The Kamikaze Hunters is a gripping account of how a few brave young men helped to ensure lasting peace.Trade ReviewA gripping account of a virtually unknown drama. Will Iredale writes with verve and expertise to illuminate the story of the young men who lived and died at the fag end of the war in the battle against Japan in the summer of 1945. His story is laced with vivid anecdotes which wonderfully illustrate the character and calibre of the individuals who took up this great challenge. -- Jonathan DimblebyA gripping account of British fighter pilots in the Pacific -- Rick Stroud, author of * Rifleman *An excellent read * BBC History Magazine *Nerve-shredding stuff * Warships International Fleet Review *
£15.29
Little, Brown Book Group The RAF Association Puzzle Book
Book SynopsisAn aircraft- and flight-themed puzzle book compiled by Dr Gareth Moore, author of the bestselling Mindfulness Puzzle Books among many others, done with the support of The RAF Association, a membership organisation and registered charity that has been providing welfare support to the RAF family for over 90 years. Their membership of 74,000 includes serving RAF personnel, veterans and members of the public.Pilots need to be able to think quickly and react immediately to unexpected, complex situations. This book consists of puzzles that test a wide range of skills that might be expected of a pilot.The book''s five chapters cover:Cognitive challengesPuzzles which require the reader to solve logic puzzles of a range of types, testing many different types of reasoning skill. Just as pilots have to do, the puzzles require readers to focus on both the big picture - what they are trying to achieve - and the small picture of ea
£12.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Spitfire
Book SynopsisBursting with exciting full-colour illustrations, colour artwork and contemporary photographs, this is a handy, complete guide to the most famous military aircraft in history.The Spitfire is an icon of World War II, becoming the darling of the British public through defending the skies during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire''s combat ability and superb handling meant it was loved by British, Commonwealth and American pilots alike, leading to a level of global public recognition which is unparalleled amongst other aircraft everyone recognises and connects with the iconic Spitfire.Spitfire is a complete reference guide to the world''s most famous fighter aircraft, exploring its history, its strengths and weaknesses and its combat performance, using exciting full colour artwork and detailed illustrations throughout.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications Combat Use Spitfire Aces Appendices Index
£8.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Malta 194042
Book SynopsisIn 1940, the strategically vital island of Malta was Britain's last toehold in the central Mediterranean, wreaking havoc among Axis shipping. Launching an air campaign to knock Malta out of the war, first Italy and then Germany sought to force a surrender or reduce the defences enough to allow an invasion. Drawing on original documents, multilingual aviation analyst Ryan Noppen explains how technical and tactical problems caused the original Italian air campaign of 194041 to fail, and then how the German intervention came close to knocking Malta out of the war. Using stunning full colour artwork, this fascinating book explains why the attempt by the Axis powers to take the British colony of Malta ultimately failed.
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Allied Jet Killers of World War 2
Book SynopsisAllied 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 number of high-scoring aces from the Eighth Air Force (Drew, Glover, Meyer, Norley and Yeager, to name but a few) succeeded in claiming Me 262s, Me 163 and Ar 234s during the final months of the campaign, as did RAF aces like Tony Gaze and Foob' Fairbanks. The exploits of both famous and little-known pilots will be chronicled in this volume, detailing how they pushed their P-47s, P-51s, Spitfires and Tempests to the limits of their performance in order to down the Luftwaffe's wonder weapons'.Table of ContentsAerial Warfare Revolution /First Clashes /Battles Intensify /Bodenplatte to Varsity /To the Death /All the King's Men /Soviet Victories /Colour Plates Commentary /Index
£13.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Wings of the Rising Sun
Book SynopsisIn the Pacific War''s early years, Japanese air power was dominant. The only way for the Allies to defeat their enemy was to know it. This made the task of maintaining productive intelligence gathering efforts on Japan imperative. Establishing Technical Air Intelligence Units in the Pacific Theater and the Technical Air Intelligence Center in Washington D.C., the Allies were able to begin to reveal the secrets of Japanese air power through extensive flight testing and evaluation of captured enemy aircraft and equipment. This provided an illuminating perspective on Japanese aircraft and aerial weapon design philosophy and manufacturing practice.Using previously unpublished contemporary sources and photographs, Mark Chambers explores Allied efforts to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese air power during the war years, and how this intelligence helped them achieve victory in the Pacific.Table of ContentsChapter 1 The Allied Technical Air Intelligence Units (TAIU) - The establishment of TAIU and their bases. Chapter 2 Flight Testing and Evaluating Captured Japanese World War 2 Fighters - Flight Testing and Evaluating Koga’s Zero-sen - Flight Testing and Evaluation at NAS San Diego, California - Flight Testing and Evaluation at NAS Anacostia, Washington, D.C. - Wind-Tunnel Testing and Ground Static Evaluation at NACA Langley, Hampton, Virginia - Flight Testing and Evaluation at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio - Allied TAIU South East Asia and RAF/USAAF Evaluations - TAIU for the South West Pacific Area (TAIU-SWPA) and US Navy/USAAF Evaluations - TAIC Evaluations Chapter 3 Flight Testing and Evaluating Captured Japanese Bombers - TAIU Southwest Asia - RAF/USAAF Evaluations - TAIU for the SWPA – US Navy/USAAF Evaluations - TAIC Evaluations Chapter 4 Flight Testing and Evaluating Captured Japanese Seaplanes and Flying Boats - TAIU Southwest Asia - RAF/USAAF Evaluations - TAIU for the SWPA – US Navy/USAAF Evaluations - TAIC Evaluations Chapter 5 Flight Testing and Evaluating Captured Japanese Transports - TAIU Southweast Asia - RAF/USAAF Evaluations - TAIU for the SWPA – US Navy/USAAF Evaluations - TAIC Evaluations Chapter 6 Flight Testing and Evaluating Captured Japanese Turbojet and Rocket-Powered Aircraft - TAIU Southweast Asia - RAF/USAAF Evaluations - TAIU for the SWPA – US Navy/USAAF Evaluations - TAIC Evaluations - US Army/US Navy findings at Japanese aircraft manufacturing facilities and military bases Chapter 7 Evaluating Japanese Special Weapons - TAIU Southweast Asia - RAF/USAAF Evaluations - TAIU for the SWPA – US Navy/USAAF Evaluations - TAIC Evaluations - Survey of US Intelligence Report findings Chapter 8 What the Allies Gained from Evaluations of Captured Japanese Aircraft - Determination of strengths and weaknesses of Japanese aircraft and aerial weapons - Enabled Allies to develop tactics for combating and defeating Japanese aerial threats - Provided invaluable insight into Japanese aircraft and aerial weapon design philosophy and manufacturing practices - Provided a valuable status of the state of Japanese aeronautics technology development and advancement during World War 2 Chapter 9 Where are they Now? - Japanese aircraft scrapped in US when no longer needed - Paul Garber (Smithsonian) stored many examples - Refurbished Japanese aircraft that were once US flight-test subjects - Refurbished Japanese aircraft that were once Allied flight-test subjects on display in Great Britain Appendices - Roster of Japanese captured test aircraft in the United States and abroad, with disposition where known - List of key American reports and evaluations of Japanese aircraft and aerial weapons technologies. Index
£24.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC North American XB70 Valkyrie
Book SynopsisOf the many futuristic military aircraft concepts created in the 1950s the North American XB-70 still stands out as the most awe-inspiring. With its huge, white partially-folding delta wing, its fuselage resembling a striking cobra, and its extraordinary performance, it was one of the foremost technological achievements of the 20th Century. A strategic bomber built to outrun any Soviet fighter jet, it could reach Mach 3 with a full nuclear payload--as fast as the legendary SR-71 Blackbird but more than three times the size. However, its role as a nuclear bomber was limited after the introduction of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, and defense cuts eventually led to the project being scrapped in the mid-1960s.The Valkyrie had a brief, costly decade of life but it proved the continuing value of developing manned bombers. Using full color artwork and rigorous analysis, this is the complete story of the ultimate US Cold War military X-plane.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Bomber Battles: The White House and SAC /Building a Legend /Triple Mach /Under Threat /Achievements and Potential Developments /Further Reading /Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Dornier Do 335
Book SynopsisThe Dornier Do 335 was conceived as a high-speed, all-weather fighter, and represented the pinnacle of piston-engined aircraft design. The Do 335 was a big aircraft, weighing just over 10,000kg when laden with fuel, equipment, and pilot, yet powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 603 engines, it was capable of reaching a maximum speed of 750km/h at 6400 meters, making it the fastest piston engine aircraft produced in Germany during World War II. Some forty aircraft were built between late 1943 and the end of the war, and it was intended to deploy the type as a day fighter, bomber, night fighter, bad weather interceptor, and reconnaissance aircraft, all of which were intended to incorporate the latest armament, bomb sights, communications, and radar equipment, as well as an ejector seat. Featuring archive photography and specially commissioned artwork, this is the full story of the aircraft that the Luftwaffe hoped would turn the tide of the war.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Origins /Prototype Design and Development /Flight-testing and Development /Trial Deployment /Conclusion and Legacy /Further reading /Index
£15.19
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Hellcat vs ShidenShidenKai
Book SynopsisBy the early months of 1944 in the Pacific, the US Navy''s burgeoning force of carrier-based F6F-3/5 Hellcats had pretty much wiped the skies clear of Japanese fighters during a series of one-sided aerial engagements. However, starting in October they faced the superb Kawanishi N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai, a formidable fighter with improved armament, a powerful engine, and excellent maneuvrability that in contrast to earlier Japanese fighters had the ability to withstand a greater degree of battle damage.Japanese pilots using this aircraft would claim more than 170 aerial victories over Kyushu and whilst escorting Kamikazes attacking Allied ships off Okinawa. US Navy Hellcat pilots in turn were credited with many of the scores of Shiden-Kais that were downed attempting to defend Japan. This fully illustrated book compares these two fascinating aircraft, using specially commissioned artwork, first-hand accounts, and a thorough technical analysis.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /Technical Specifications/ The Strategic Situation /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Aftermath /Further Reading /Index
£13.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC USAF F105 Thunderchief vs VPAF MiG17
Book SynopsisThe F-105D Thunderchief was originally designed as a low-altitude nuclear strike aircraft, but the outbreak of the Vietnam War led to it being used instead as the USAF's primary conventional striker against the exceptionally well-defended targets in North Vietnam and Laos. F-105 crews conducted long-distance missions from bases in Thailand, refuelling in flight several times and carrying heavy external bombloads.The MiG-17 was the lightweight, highly manoeuvrable defending fighter it encountered most often in 196568 during Operation Rolling Thunder. A development of the MiG-15, which shocked UN forces during the Korean War, its emphasis was on simplicity and ease of maintenance in potentially primitive conditions.Fully illustrated with stunning artwork, this book shows how these two aircraft, totally different in design and purpose, fought in a series of duels that cost both sides dearly.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /Technical Specifications/ The Strategic Situation /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Aftermath /Further Reading /Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Mosquito Pocket Manual
Book SynopsisThe Mosquito Pocket Manual collates authentic period sources including pilot''s notes and other Air Ministry publications to provide a unique guide to this iconic aircraft.The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft with a two-man crew that served during and after the Second World War. It was one of few operational front-line aircraft of the era constructed almost entirely of wood and was nicknamed The Wooden Wonder.The Mosquito was also known affectionately as the Mossie to its crews. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber the Mosquito was adapted to a wide range of bombing roles. It was also used by BOAC as a fast transport to carry small high-value cargoes to, and from neutral countries through enemy controlled airspace.The book collates a variety of pamphlets and manuals on the plane that were produced throughout the war for the benefit of pilots and others associated with the aircraft.Trade ReviewRecommended. There are great images, in the form of photographs and drawings, through the body of the book. An amazing and iconic aircraft, covered so effectively by this handbook. * Firetrench *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC German Flak Defences vs Allied Heavy Bombers
Book SynopsisSince the end of World War II, the strategic bombing of Germany has inspired numerous studies, countless books and several documentary films, and it is not surprising. With more than one million tons of bombs dropped, close to 300,000 civilians killed, 700,000 wounded and in excess of 3,500,000 industrial and residential structures destroyed, the Allied bomber offensive was industrial war on a grand scale. The air battle that raged over Germany has often been described as a battle between Allied and German fighters but what has been frequently missed by historians on all sides is the impact of German anti-aircraft defences (flak). Though often dismissed as ineffective and a waste of valuable material and personnel, the German flak arm made a major contribution to the defence of the Third Reich at least half of the American aircraft shot down over Germany fell to flak, and according to the RAF Official History, it was estimated that flak accounted for 1229 of 3302 aircraft loTable of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /Technical Specifications/ The Strategic Situation /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Aftermath /Further Reading /Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Legion Condor 193639
Book SynopsisThe bombing of Guernica has become a symbol of Nazi involvement in the Spanish Civil War, but the extent of the German commitment is often underestimated. The Luftwaffe sent 20,000 officers and men to Spain from 1936 to 1939, and the Condor Legion carried out many missions in support of the Spanish Nationalist forces and played a lead role in many key campaigns of the war. Aircraft that would play a significant role in the combat operations of World War II (the Heinkel 11 bomber, the Me 109 fighter, and others) saw their first action in Spain, fighting against the modern Soviet fighters and bombers that equipped the Republican Air Force. Condor Legion bombers attacked Republican logistics and transport behind the lines as well as bombing strategic targets, German bombers and fighters provided highly effective close air support for the front-line troops, and German fighters and anti-aircraft units ensured Nationalist control of the air. The experience garnered in Spain was vTable of ContentsOrigins Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities The Campaign Assessment Bibliography Index
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Battle of the Atlantic 194245
Book SynopsisThis illustrated study explores, in detail, the climactic events of the Battle of the Atlantic, and how air power proved to be the Allies'' most important submarine-killer in one of the most bitterly fought naval campaigns of World War II.As 1942 opened, both Nazi Germany and the Allies were ready for the climactic battles of the Atlantic to begin. Germany had 91 operational U-boats, and over 150 in training or trials. Production for 194244 was planned to exceed 200 boats annually. Karl Dönitz, running the Kriegsmarine''s U-boat arm, would finally have the numbers needed to run the tonnage war he wanted against the Allies.Meanwhile, the British had, at last, assembled the solution to the U-boat peril. Its weapons and detection systems had improved to the stage that maritime patrol aircraft could launch deadly attacks on U-boats day and night. Airborne radar, Leigh lights, Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD), and the Fido homing torpedo all turned the anti-submariTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES The anti-submarine aircraft comes of age DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES Hunted hunters CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES The battle for Europe’s lifeline THE CAMPAIGN The decisive U-boat battles AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC UH1 Huey Gunship vs NVAVC Forces
Book SynopsisOften described as the US Army's aerial jeep the UH-1 Iroquois (Huey') was the general-purpose vehicle that provided mobility in a hostile jungle environment which made rapid troop movement extremely challenging by any other means. Hueys airlifted troops, evacuated casualties, rescued downed pilots, transported cargo externally and enabled rapid transit of commanders in the field. Although vertical aviation' had only become a practical reality during the Korean War helicopters evolved rapidly in the decade before Vietnam and by 1965 the US Army and US Marines relied on them as primary combat tools. This was principally because North Vietnam's armed forces had long experience of jungle operations, camouflage and evasion. Generally avoiding set-piece pitched battles they relied on rapid, frequent strikes and withdrew using routes that were generally inaccessible to US vehicles. They commonly relied on darkness and bad weather to make their moves, often rendering them immune to conventionTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Strategic Situation The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Further Reading Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC To Save An Army
Book SynopsisUsing the diaries of Luftwaffe commanders, rare contemporary photographs and other previously unpublished sources, Robert Forsyth analyzes the human, strategic, tactical and technical elements of one of the most dramatic operations arranged by the Luftwaffe. Stalingrad ranks as one of the most infamous, savage and emotive battles of the 20th century. It has consumed military historians since the 1950s and has inspired many books and much debate. This book tells the story of the operation mounted by the Luftwaffe to supply, by airlift, the trapped and exhausted German Sixth Army at Stalingrad in the winter of 1942/43. The weather conditions faced by the flying crews, mechanics, and soldiers on the ground were appalling, but against all odds, and a resurgent and active Soviet air force, the transports maintained a determined presence over the ravaged city on the Volga, even when the last airfields in the Stalingrad pocket had been lost. Yet, even the daily figure of 300 tons of supTrade ReviewRobert Forsyth's skill at unearthing rare primary material has produced a remarkable and revelatory narrative. It gives a true insight into the near Herculean effort of the Luftwaffe to keep the trapped Sixth Army alive in history's bloodiest campaign. * Iain MacGregor, author of The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Hidden Truth at the Centre of WWII’s Greatest Battle *In this detailed account of the doomed attempt to keep the encircled German Sixth Army alive in Stalingrad by air, Robert Forsyth gives readers a fresh look at the precedents that led to the fatal decision to rely on an airlift and the tragedy that then unfolded. For anyone interested in both the detail and the difficulties of mounting the Stalingrad airlift, this book is essential reading. * Prit Buttar, Author of The Reckoning: The Defeat of Army Group South, 1944 *To Save An Army: The Stalingrad Airlift is easily the most detailed, day-by-day narrative of that critical moment in the Second World War which has been written to date. … [It] is a rich, data-driven military history, interlaced with compelling personal vignettes from pilots, aircrew, staff officers and evacuated soldiers. * Robert Forczyk, Author of Where the Iron Crosses Grow: The Crimea 1941–44 *It is military history at its best. * RAF News *A highly impressive work in all regards, and an essential read. * Aeroplane *There is no greater compliment than to say this is a worthy companion to Antony Beevor's acclaimed history of the ground battle, Stalingrad. * Flypast *A title which is absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in the Battle of Stalingrad and operations on the Eastern Front, generally. * Iron Cross *Table of ContentsPart One Conquest · The Demyansk and Kholm airlifts – dangerous precedents, 1941-42 · A summary of the advance of Army Group South (later Army Groups A and B) towards the Don from July 1942 and war aims (to September 1942) · The role and status of the Luftwaffe in support of German war aims in southern Russia from the summer of 1942, with focus on the Transportverbände, biographies of the airlift senior commanders such as Milch, von Richthofen, Fiebig, Pickert and Morzik, and the effect of their backgrounds and personalities on events; the transport units, their structures and the Luftwaffe’s multi-front commitments · Detailed descriptions of the six principal transport aircraft used in the Stalingrad airlift: Junkers Ju 52/3m – Heinkel He 111 – Heinkel He 177 – Junkers Ju 290 – Focke-Wulf Fw 200 – Junkers Ju 86 Part Two Crisis · A summary of Zhukov’s counter-attack, Operation Uranus, launched on 19 November 1942, and the encirclement of Sixth Army four days later · The decision by Hitler, Göring, Jeschonnek and the German high command to supply Sixth Army by air · The commencement of airlift (Phase 1 to mid-December), with flights landing at Gumrak and Pitomnik airfields inside the pocket carrying mainly fuel and ammunition; day-by-day description of events, command decisions, flights, effect of weather, enemy reaction and movement, analysis of supplies and tonnages, serviceability, units deployed, weather conditions etc. Mainly fuel and ammunition to 19 December based on Sixth Army requests · The stalling of the Hoth relief effort (Operation Winter Storm) by 23 December Part Three Catastrophe · Phase 2 and the climactic, doomed airlift from 24 December, with even the main Luftwaffe airlift depot base at Tatsinskaya under threat. Day-by-day description of events, command decisions, flights, effect of weather, enemy reaction and movement · From 26 December onwards the supply of food becomes the priority over ammunition and fuel · On 12 January, Pitomnik airfield in the pocket is lost; landings increasingly give way to air-drops as conditions worsen. Gumrak airfield lost on 22 January · Detail will range from the command decisions in Berlin, to air fleet and corps command-level, to operations by individual transport units Aftermath and conclusions Appendices Index
£22.50
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
Book SynopsisThe Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club tells the complete story of the US Naval air campaign during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1975, where the US Seventh Fleet, stationed off the Vietnamese coast, was given the tongue-in-cheek nickname ''The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club''.On August 2, 1964, USS Maddox became embroiled in the infamous ''Gulf of Tonkin incident'' that led directly to America''s increased involvement in the Vietnam War. Supporting the Maddox that day were four F-8E Crusaders from the USS Ticonderoga, signalling the start of the US Navy''s commitment to the air war over Vietnam.The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club was the nickname for the US Navy''s Seventh Fleet, Task Force 77, stationed off the coast of Vietnam which, at various points throughout the war, comprised as many as six carriers with 70100 aircraft on board. The Seventh Fleet played an essential role in supporting operatTrade ReviewThe Vietnam War was my war, by which I mean I fought in it, and I can say that Thomas Cleaver in his Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club examines the war in an unparalleled way through the lens of aviation and its aviators. He illustrates the inevitable agony and sacrifice, thrill and triumph of the young men immersed in that saga. It all makes for a riveting read. -- Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, US Army (Ret.), soldier, diplomat and late Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William and MaryTom Cleaver has captured the dramatic history of Naval Aviation’s combat record in Vietnam in a manner worthy of the classic historical novel. From the first shot fired in the Tonkin Gulf in August 1964 to the final salvo in January 1973, Tom weaves an accurate tale, full of the color and fury of battle, courage, suspense, and thrill of victory – as experienced and portrayed on both sides of the conflict. -- Captain Roy Cash, Jr., USN (Ret.), Former CO, Top GunTom Cleaver’s book is a superb study of Naval Aviation's experiences during the Vietnam War. Tom’s in-depth focus and analysis of personal inputs from aircrews on both sides of the conflict coupled with the ever-changing political environment make it a high-powered book that is difficult to put down. -- Rear-Admiral James A. “Jim” Lair, USN (Ret.), former commanding officer, USS AmericaWith equal measures of aeronautical detail, historical perspective, and gripping action, Tom Cleaver has crafted an authoritative and balanced account of the Navy’s Vietnam air war. Readers will be amazed by the recall and revelations of the Naval Aviators interviewed, profiled and portrayed. This is a gripping narrative combined with a definitive historical and technical reference. -- David Sears, author of 'Such Men as These: The Story of the Navy Pilots Who Flew the Deadly Skies over Korea'This gripping narrative that grabs the attention from the very first page is complimented with an eight-page section of mainly colour photographs and several maps. It will appeal greatly to both the general reader as well as aviation ‘buffs.’ Highly recommended.” -- Andy Thomas * Flypast Magazine *Table of ContentsList of Maps and Illustrations Foreword by Captain Roy Cash, Jr., USN (Ret) Introduction 1. Shooting at Flying Fish 2. Naval Aviation’s Revolutionary New Sword 3. Opponents 4. The Rules of Engagement 5. Rolling Thunder, 1965–68 6. Air Combat, 1964–66 7. Air Combat, 1967–68 8. Alpha Strike 9. Spads vs. MiGs 10. "The Forrest Fire" 11. Top Gun 12. Interregnum, 1968–72 13. A New War 14. Operation Linebacker, 1972 15. Three DFCs in Seven Days 16. End Game, April 1975 17. Southeast Asian Finale Bibliography Glossary Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Kamikaze Campaign 194445
Book SynopsisAn illustrated history of how Japan devised and launched a new kind of air campaign in late 1944 the suicidal assaults of the kamikaze units against the approaching Allied fleets.As summer changed to autumn in 1944, Japan was losing the war. Still unwilling to surrender, Japan''s last hope was to try to wear down US resolve enough to reach a negotiated settlement. Extraordinary measures seemed necessary, and the most extraordinary was the formation of Special Attack Units known to the Allies as the kamikazes. The concept of organized suicide squadrons was first raised on June 15, 1944. By August, formations were being trained. These formations were first used in the October 1944 US invasion of the Philippine Islands, where they offered some tactical success. The program was expanded into a major campaign over the rest of the Pacific War, seeing a crescendo during the struggle for Okinawa in April through May 1945. This highly illustrated histTrade ReviewThis well-illustrated book gives a comprehensive narrative history of the campaign, including the tactics of the adversaries. -- . * Seapower Magazine *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER’S CAPABILITIES The last of Japanese airpower Aircraft Facilities and infrastructure Weapons and tactics DEFENDER’S CAPABILITIES The encroaching fleet Aircraft Facilities and infrastructure CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES The last throw of the dice Japanese objectives and plans Allied objectives and plans THE CAMPAIGN Dying for the Emperor The first round: October 25–November 30, 1944 Countering the kamikazes: December 1, 1944–January 13, 1945 Formosa, Iwo Jima, and long-range raids: January 14–March 26, 1945 The long grind, Okinawa: March 27–June 30, 1945 Downfall: June 30, 1944–March 1946 AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS Surviving aircraft and ships FURTHER READING INDEX
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Flashpoints
Book SynopsisFrom acclaimed aviation historian Michael Napier, this is a highly illustrated survey of the aerial fighting in the flashpoints of the Cold War.The Cold War years were a period of unprecedented peace in Europe, yet they also saw a number of localised but nonetheless very intense wars throughout the wider world in which air power played a vital role. Flashpoints describes eight of these Cold War conflicts: the Suez Crisis of 1956, the Congo Crisis of 196065, the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971, the Arab-Israeli Wars of 1967 and 1973, the Falklands War of 1982 and the IranIraq War of 198088. In all of them both sides had a credible air force equipped with modern types, and air power shaped the final outcome.Acclaimed aviation historian Michael Napier details the wide range of aircraft types used and the development of tactics over the period. The postwar years saw a revolution in aviation technology and design, particularly in the fields of missile deTrade ReviewCovering the Suez Crisis, the Congo crisis, the two Indo-Pakistan wars, the Arab-Israeli wars, the Falklands war and the Iran-Iraq war, the book casts a wide net and offers superbly researched and very detailed accounts -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *A readable compendium with much interest to Britain at War readers. -- Andrew Thomas * Britain at War *Table of ContentsForeword by Itamar Neuner, Mirage Pilot Author’s Note Chapter 1. Suez Crisis, 29 October–7 November 1956 Chapter 2. Congo Crisis, July 1960–June 1964 Chapter 3. Indo-Pakistan War, 1–23 September 1965 Chapter 4. Six-Day War, 5–10 June 1967 Chapter 5. Indo-Pakistan War, 3–16 December 1971 Chapter 6. October War, 6–25 October 1973 Chapter 7. Iran–Iraq War, 22 September 1980–20 August 1988 Chapter 8. South Atlantic War, 2 April–14 June 1982 Chapter 9. Debrief Glossary Bibliography Index
£28.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC F4 Phantom II Wild Weasel Units in Combat
Book SynopsisWith first-hand insight into the into the key role of the US Air Force''s fighter-bomber from the Vietnam War through to Operation Desert Storm during the First Gulf War, this book is an unmissable account of some of the most dangerous and demanding missions in the two wars.The advent of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) in the early 1950s threatened the whole concept of aerial bombing from medium and high altitude. Countermeasures were developed during the Korean War, but with little initial success. It was only in the closing stages of the Vietnam War, with the F-4Cww Phantom II (Wild Weasel 4), that this equipment started to become successful enough to allow a substantial investment in converting 116 F-4E Phantom IIs into dedicated SEAD aircraft. This move introduced a new generation of anti-radar missiles which became invaluable in later operations including operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Northern Watch overTrade ReviewNo Phantom fan should miss this excellent book * Airfix Model World *This is a must read and a worthy addition to any aviation historian's bookshelves. * Aviation News *Table of Contents(Subject to confirmation) Chapter 1: Development of SEAD Chapter 2: F-4Cww Wild Weasel Operations in Vietnam Chapter 3: Creation of the F-4G Chapter 4: Cold War Developments Chapter 5: Operation Desert Storm Appendices - Performance table for F-4Cww and F-4G. - Unit deployment dates and locations for F-4Cww and F-4G squadrons. - Colour plates commentaries. Index
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Ones Who Got Away
Book SynopsisA remarkable collection of accounts of intrepid American aircrew shot down over enemy lines during World War II and how they got away. To be an airman in the Eighth Air Force flying over the war-torn skies of Europe required skill, tenacity, and luck. Those who were shot down and evaded capture needed all of that and more if they were to make it back to friendly lines. These are their stories. Each is compiled from the original intelligence debrief written by the pilots or aircrew themselves. Bill Yenne details how a spider web of escape routes sprang up, created by the local Résistance. Downed airmen were clothed, given false papers, and hidden so they could be smuggled back to England. These efforts were then supplemented by Allied intelligence agents. But the risks remained the same. Capture could mean death. Their accounts are sometimes funny, often heartbreaking. P-47 pilot Joel McPherson feigned appendicitis and was able to escape from the locaTrade ReviewIn The Ones Who Got Away, Bill Yenne deftly weaves the individual stories of American airmen into an epic adventure tale of downed aviators on the run and the French, Belgian, and Dutch civilians who risked everything to help them dodge the Gestapo and escape occupied Europe. * Steve K. Bailey, author of 'Target Hong Kong' *Table of ContentsList of Plate Section Illustrations Maps Introduction Part One: Strangers in a Strange Land 1. The Lay of This Treacherous Land 2. Herding Wildcats 3. Many Paths to Freedom Part Two: Riding the Tail of a Comet 4. Hounded Houndsmen 5. Christmas in Limbo 6. Undocumented Fools At Large 7. A Menacing New Year 8. Unexpected Detours 9. In Hostile Hands 10. Long and Winding Roads Part Three: The Man on the Bicycle 11. May Day Over Saint-Nazaire 12. Lines on the Map 13. Bombard Our House With Chocolate 14. Perils of the Pyrenees 15. New Lives, Later Lives Part Four: Black Tuesday Boys 16. Inside the Third Reich 17. Desperate Fugitives 18. Shipwrecked Brothers 19. Not an Easy Road 20. Riding the Comet 21. False Starts, and Meeting the Fox Hunter 22. Homeward Bound Part Five: Long Roads from Regensburg 23. A Rough Start to a Long Day 24. Tales of a Shillelagh and a Double Agent 25. A Milk Run Turns Sour 26. To Brussels and Beyond 27. Unexpected Threats 28. The Belgian Waiting Game 29. This is Your Life Part Six: Bandits of the Dordogne 30. A Journey Formidable 31. Hollywood Maquisards 32. We Thought He Was a Madman 33. Over the Wall 34. A Bandit’s Life for Me 35. Danger All Around 36. Waiting for the Right Moment 37. D-Days 38. Unsettled Lives Part Seven: Reflections of Silver Screens 39. Leading from the Front 40. Suspicious Characters 41. Moving in Circles 42. Hollywood on the Seine 43. Operation Overlord 44. Hollywood Calling Part Eight: Lightning Struck Twice 45. Aces Among the Wolves 46. Aces Down 47. Back into Combat 48. Déjà Vu, Again and Again 49. A Haunted Life Part Nine: Betrayal and Triumph 50. Dobie’s Boys 51. A Valuable Asset 52. Jake and Marty 53. Running Through the Woods 54. Into a World of Intrigue 55. A Safe House Most Unsafe 56. A Dungeon Most Medieval 57. Sleight of Hand 58. Improbable Twists of Fate 59. Mornings After 60. Years After Notes Bibliography Index About the Author
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Hitlers Sky Warriors
Book SynopsisContains 250 photographs, many previously unpublished, of German paratroopers (Fallschirmjger) in action during the Second World War.
£13.49
Pen & Sword Books Ltd FOCKEWULF Fw 190
Book SynopsisAn insight into the aircraft that is widely regarded as the Luftwaffe's finest fighter.
£13.49
Orion Publishing Co From the Ground Up
Book Synopsis''Fascinating ... this collection illuminates corners of the wartime world ... it provides a valuable and often entertaining window'' GUARDIAN''The horrors have not been suppressed. Everyone who speaks was very young then. You sense their wonder that they did the things they recall'' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAYWhen we remember the Second World War in the air, we think of fighter pilots and bomber crews. But what was it like for the men and women working as ground crew and in the aircraft factories who also played a crucial role in defeating Hitler? What was it like making history? What sense did these individuals have of what they were doing, either at the time or later? Did they feel they were caught up in the tide of great events? Or were they simply doing their demanding and often dangerous duty?Originally published as ACES, ERKS AND BACKROOM BOYSTrade ReviewFascinating ... this collection illuminates corners of the wartime world ... it provides a valuable and often entertaining window * GUARDIAN *The horrors have not been suppressed. Everyone who speaks was very young then. You sense their wonder that they did the things they recall * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *
£10.44
Rowman & Littlefield The 25 Most Influential Aircraft of All Time
Book SynopsisThe 25 Most Influential Aircraft of All Time conveys the fascinating progression of flying technology from flimsy wood-and-fabric biplanes to thunderous supersonic wonders. Aviation's most historically relevant and arguably most influential aircraft planes like the elliptical-winged Spitfire, the blisteringly-fast X-15, and the ubiquitous Learjet are dramatically showcased in individual chapters. Factors like performance, price, operational efficiency, and perceptions in popular culture are examined. People are just as important as hardware in the discussion of the world's greatest aircraft. The larger-than-life characters who designed and built these aeronautical marvels men like the reclusive Howard Hughes and the demanding Clarence Kelly Johnson are an indispensable part of the story. So, too, are the fearless pilots like Charles Lindbergh and Chuck Yeager who gave life to the shining examples of a new and dynamic industry. The authors have flown or flown in many of
£16.14
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Dauntless in Battle
Book SynopsisThe Douglas Dauntless was a Second World War American naval scout plane and dive bomber that saw active service during the course of this conflict and beyond, before being retired in 1959. US Navy and Marine Corps SBD's (Small But Deadly) saw their first action at Pearl Harbour and went on to enjoy an illustrious career thereafter. The Battle of Midway was an important milestone in the career of the Dauntless; they delivered the crushing blows to the Japanese carriers in June 1942\. Action was also seen during the Guadalcanal Campaign, Operation Torch, the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Pacific War. Peter C. Smith brings his many years of experience to this new publication, over the course of which the full history of the mighty Dauntless is relayed in exceptional detail.
£16.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Hawker Hunter
Book SynopsisIf ever there was a real pilot's aeroplane it was the Hunter; an outstanding multi-purpose aircraft which excelled in the roles of interceptor fighter, ground attack, reconnaissance, research vehicle and two-seater trainer, not forgetting its dramatic formation aerobatic performances. The Hunter is one of the world's greatest aircraft. For three decades, pilots have enthused about it, extolling the virtues of its smooth, aerodynamic lines, 4 x 30mm cannon, the Rolls-Royce Avon engine, and its outstandingly honest handling characteristics combined with a lively performance. It saw operational deployment in Europe with Fighter Command and 2nd TAF, in Cyprus, the Middle East and the Far East, operating in the ground-attack role against rebels in Aden and Malaysia respectively. The Hunter was a classic thoroughbred of its time, from the stables of one of the finest fighter manufacturers in the world and, for fifty years, its adaptability was rarely challenged. Although the last example was retired in July 2001, the Hunter legend undoubtedly lives on, with 114 potentially airworthy airframes located in fourteen countries around the world. Here, the legendary tale of the Hunter is told in words and images.
£14.44
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Flight Craft 15: Supermarine Spitfire MKV: The
Book SynopsisThe story of the Supermarine Spitfire has been told across many years and the debate about it is enduring, yet the Spitfire remains a true icon. For aviation enthusiasts, for historians, for modellers, the word Spitfire conjures many stories and affections. This book presents the Spitfire enthusiast with an up-to-date history of the Spitfire-not just in its design and application in war, but also as a flying memorial and as an aero modellers' vital focus. The text examines recently revealed forgotten aspects of the Spitfire story; by combining the elements of design, the story of a weapon of war and a revered scale model, this book frames an essential chapter in aviation history. Packed with original and contemporary images and information, and displaying unique Spitfire model collections, the narrative bridges an important gap and is a worthy addition to the FlightCraft series.
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Heroes of Coastal Command: The RAFs Maritime War
Book SynopsisIn Heroes of Coastal Command, Andrew Bird examines the maritime war between 1939 and 1945, interweaving accounts of events of the period with personal stories of individuals caught up in them. Through interviews, letters, diaries and reports, all combined with his own research, the author looks afresh at the maritime conflict, reassessing long-held views of the Cinderella Service's defensive and offensive capabilities through the eyes of ordinary individuals battling for survival above the oceans against flak gun, enemy aircraft and weather as the stakes rose higher and the number of casualties become catastrophic. Heroes of Coastal Command makes the reader think again about the RAF's maritime arm, Coastal Command, which was established in 1936. Throughout the war, its crews worked tirelessly alongside the Royal Navy to keep Britain's vital sea lanes open. Together, they fought and won the Battle of the Atlantic, with RAF aircraft destroying 212 German U-Boats and sinking a significant tonnage of enemy warships and merchant vessels. Often working alone and unsupported, undertaking long patrols out over opens seas, Coastal Command bred a special kind of airman. This includes individuals such Lloyd Trigg, who was awarded the Victoria Cross; Roger Moorwood, a Blenheim pilot who flew in the Battle of France; Jack Davenport, who flew his Hampden; John Watson, the sole survivor of a Short Sunderland which was lost during a rescue mission; Maurice Guedj, a Frenchman who escaped from Morocco to join the Free French Air Force; Sam McHardy, who for a short while became a Coastal Command ground coordinator posted aboard a Royal Navy destroyer for a raid on Norway; and Ken Gatward, who flew a unique daylight mission over Paris to drop a Tricolore on the Arc de Triomphe. These are just some of the fabulous stories, full of daring and breath-taking courage, and individuals explored in this book.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Hunters over Arabia: Hawker Hunter Operations in
Book SynopsisBased on official records held at the National Archives and other published sources, 'Hunters over Arabia' presents an in-depth account of the operations performed by the Hawker Hunter squadrons policing the desert wastelands and high mountain ranges of the Middle East. Copiously illustrated with colour and black and white photographs, a high percentage of operations performed by this versatile British ground attack and reconnaissance fighter are described in detail. Using a chronological format, the narrative focuses on the period during which the Hunter served in the Middle East, from 1960 to 1971. Further chapters are dedicated to the three Hunter variants most closely associated with the Middle East, the FGA.9, FR.10 and T.7, together with their respective allocation dates. A short background to Aden, its historical links to Britain, and RAF airfields administered by Middle East Command complete this factual account.
£24.00
