Combat Aircraft

A comprehensive directory of the world's combat aircraft since 1945 with over 260 entries spanning the technological advances developed over nearly six decades. From the last of the piston engined fighters and bombers, through the early jet age and on to today's highly advanced aircraft, 'Combat Aircraft Since 1945' covers the fighters, bombers, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopter gunships which have fought past battles and will fight those of the future. (From back cover).

Military Aircraft features 52 of the most important military aircraft of the last hundred years. The book includes all the main types, from biplane fighters and carrier aircraft to tactical bombers, transport aircraft, multirole fighters, strategic strike aircraft, and stealth bombers. Featured aircraft include: the Fokker Dr.1 triplane, the legendary fighter flown by German flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, the "Red Baron," during World War I; the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, Japan's highly maneuverable fighter that dominated air-to-air combat in the early part of the Pacific War; the tank-busting Il-2 Shturmovik, the most produced aircraft in World War II; the Harrier jump jet, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fighter that has been in service for more than 40 years; the B-2 Spirit bomber, an American precision strike aircraft used in recent conflicts in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan; and the F-22 Raptor, an air superiority fighter with state-of-the-art stealth technology that makes it almost invisible to radars. Each entry includes a brief description of the model's development and history, a profile view, key features, and specifications. Packed with more than 200 artworks and photographs, Military Aircraft is a colorful guide for the military aviation enthusiast.

Modeling Classic Combat Aircraft brings together a collection of FineScale Modeler magazine articles on modeling some of the world's most popular and notable combat aircraft of the last 60 years. The articles featured in the pages of this book were deliberately selected and edited by FSM Editor Mark Thompson to provide you with a unique opportunity to peer over master modelers' shoulders as they work step-by-step to assemble, convert, detail, paint, and decal such historic warbirds as the P-51 Mustang, Messerschmitt Bf 109, A6M5 Zero, Avro Lancaster, MiG-17, F-14 Tomcat, B-52H, and many others. Regardless of the scale or era of aircraft you prefer, you'll find in Modeling Classic Combat Aircraft easy-to-follow diagrams, crisp photos, concise instructions, and the proven techniques that will help you complete realistic and dramatic showcase models. Book jacket.

This is a large format A-Z encyclopedia of every Allied and Axis fighting plane from 1933-1945 - from the famous to the lesser known - in all theatres of war from Europe to Asia and the Pacific.

When the United States Army Signal Corps created the Aeronautical Division in August1907, it had a mission to take charge of all matters pertaining to military ballooning,air machines, and all kindred matters. That small inconsequential portion of the USArmy would grow progressively over the many decades to become a separate service named the USAir Force in 1947 following the Second World War. Overnight, it became the worlds most powerfulmilitary establishment, able to deliver conventional and nuclear ordnance anywhere around theglobe.Todays cutting-edge example of this power-projection is the supersonic, bat-winged B-2 Spiritstealth bomber, which can fly at an altitude of 50,000 feet, and is built of carbon-graphite compositematerials. The B-2 Spirit is a far cry from the early days of the service when it relied on fragile prop-drivenwood and fabric aerial platforms, such as the Wright Type B, which could barely reach analtitude of 100 feet.In between have been such iconic Second World War aircraft as the P-51 Mustang and P-47Thunderbolt fighters and bombers such as the B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 SuperFortress which dropped the first A-Bomb in 1945. The Cold War demanded ever more powerfulaircraft, such as the B-58 Hustler and B-52 Stratofortress, and fighters including the F-86 Sabre, F-104Starfighter and F-4 Phantom. All these aircraft and more are vividly illustrated and described in detailin this superb Images of War publication.

Collins/Jane Combat Aircraft is a compact guide to modern fighters, bombers, helicopter gunships, maritime aircraft and advanced trainers in service with the world's airforces. Details of over 100 aircraft are given, drawing in information from the ultimate military authority, Jane's Information Group.