In this new, fully updated edition, expert author Francis Crosby traces the development of fighters from World War I to the present day, and highlights actions in which fighters played a crucial role. The A-Z sections form an illustrated guide to over 170 fighter aircraft. The first covers aircraft from the pioneering days of air fighting in World War I through to the early jets at the end of World War II, and the second focuses on the remarkable advances of post-World War II, mainly jet, aircraft from 1945 to the present day. Specification boxes for each aircraft provide information about the plane's country of origin, first flight, power, armament, size, weight and performance. Also included is a glossary explaining aviation terms. Illustrated with 600 photographs, this is a key reference book for all aircraft enthusiasts.

Aircraft designed to attack and destroy other aircraft have existed almost as long as military aviation. With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, aircraft designed specifically as fighters appeared. This book of fighter aircraft traces the development of fighters from World War I to the present day, and highlights actions in which fighters played a crucial role.

The first section covers aircraft from the pioneering days of air fighting in World War I through to the early jets in action at the end of World War II. This section is brimming with information and often rare photographs of truly classic fighter aircraft including the Bristol Fighter, Spit re and P-51 Mustang. The second section of the book focuses on the remarkable advances of post-World War II, mainly jet aircraft from 1945 to the present day, and includes the MiG-15, Hunter, Harrier and F-15 Eagle. Detailed specification boxes are featured for every aircraft listed. These contain up-to-date information, including country of origin, first flight, power, armament, size, weights and performance.

This splendidly illustrated book, with many previously unpublished pictures from the Imperial War Museum Photograph Archive, is a must-have reference book for everyone interested in the aircraft that have helped make history.

This fully up-to-date reference book provides an authoritative overview of the military helicopter. It begins with a detailed history, from the ideas of Leonardo da Vinci through to the tilt-rotor aircraft that have operated with coalition forces in Afghanistan. The book continues with an A-Z directory covering over 80 helicopters from the most famous manufacturers including Aérospatiale, Agusta, Bell, Boeing-Vertol, Eurocopter, Kamov, Robinson, and Sikorsky. The origins, development and operation of each type are clearly described, and a specification panel gives key performance and dimensional data. This informative book is superbly illustrated with cutaway drawings and over 500 photographs showing helicopters both on the battlefield and in service

This meticulously researched and newly updated book charts the complete history of naval aviation, from pioneering days when biplanes were catapulted from converted destroyers through to the high-performance jets patrolling the world's seas today. The first part of the book focuses on significant technological advances, including carrier evolution, 21st-century aircraft technology and weaponry, as well as military operations in which naval aviation have played a significant part. There then follows an A to Z listing 130 of the world's most significant naval aircraft. Each plane's description and history is accompanied by a specification box detailing country of origin, first flight, power, armament, size, weight and performance. With its expert information and 670 magnificent photographs, this book provides historians and enthusiasts with key information about the world of naval aircraft.

An illustrated history from the early planes of World War 1 to the sophisticated jet bombers of the modern age

This record of incredible developments in bomber technology spans over a century of innovation. The book is divided into three sections. The first deals with the development of bombers and the major conflicts in which bombers have been used, such as the Blitz and Dambusters missions of World War II, and the Libya raids and Gulf Wars of more recent times. The second section is a comprehensive A-Z of World War bombers, 1914-45, and the third section focuses on modern jet bombers and the latest developments in warfare. Specification boxes for each aircraft detail country of origin, first flight, powers, armaments, size, weight and performance. This fully updated illustrated reference book, with its easily accessible information, is perfect for every enthusiast of the subject or war historian.