Dornier Do 335

Author: Robert Forsyth
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472828984
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 81

Book Description
The 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.

Allison-Engined P-51 Mustang

Author: Martyn Chorlton
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780961529
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 67

Book Description
A definitive technical guide to the early Allison-engined P-51 Mustang variants. While the introduction of the Merlin engine did improve the Mustang's performance and produce the bubble-canopied fighters with which we associate the name, credit must be given to the Allison-engined variants that preceded it. From its inception in early 1940, the Mustang's development was extraordinarily rapid – such was the need for a fighter at the time, and the confidence in its design. By early January 1942, the Mustang was in service with the RAF, flying low-level armed reconnaissance operations over Northern France. Despite later Merlin variants arriving in-theatre, this remained a hunting ground for the Allison Mustangs through to D-Day and beyond – a remarkable service length. This book shows how, in American hands the Allison-engined Mustangs performed as dive-bombers and fighters, serving with distinction in North Africa and the Far East.

World War II US Gunships

Author: William Wolf
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472844599
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 81

Book Description
The XB-40 and XB-41 were secret, little-known experimental modifications of the B-17F and B-24D, respectively, into heavily-armed bomber gunships sometimes referred to as “bomber escorters”. They were developed during early World War II in response to the lack of a USAAF long-range fighter aircraft able to escort and protect regular B-17 formations making the round trip from Britain deep into Germany. Using many formerly-classified documents from his large microfilm collection, William Wolf presents their previously-unpublished history. It describes in depth for the first time the politics and development and associated problems of both escorter types. Unfortunately, these “protecters” were found wanting in several ways - after the addition of guns and ammunition they became overweight and tail-heavy causing center of gravity problems and each encountered numerous delays in the development and delivery of their various armament additions and improvements, particularly the Bendix chin turret. In the end, the YB-40 participated in only 14 lackluster operational service test missions during mid-1943 before being withdrawn from service. The XB-41 Liberator never saw operational testing before also being cancelled for its poor performance. The failure of the gunship concept left a huge hole in the capabilities of the Eighth Air Force. Their failure, however, spurred the adoption of the Merlin-powered P-51 Mustang, the outstanding escort fighter that was key to Allied victory in the air war over Europe.

The Ultimate Piston Fighters of the Luftwaffe

Author: Justo Miranda
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781781552490
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Book Description
The extreme designs of German piston fighters which were left on the drawing board as soon as the first jet engines were available for the mass manufacture of the Messerschmitt Me 262

Luftwaffe Emblems, 1939-1945

Author: Barry Ketley
Publisher: Flight Recorder Publications
ISBN: 9780955426834
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
A compilation of all known Luftwaffe unit badges and emblems in full color, covering all types of aircraft and function, ranging from famous fighter and bomber units, through to little-known maritime squadrons, humble training or communication flights. Grouped by squadron type and function, the emblems provide an invaluable aid to both modelers and historians and those interested in WWII Luftwaffe aircraft.

Wings of the Luftwaffe

Author: Eric Brown
Publisher: Crowood Press (UK)
ISBN: 9781853104138
Category : Air warfare
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
At the end of World War II, Eric Brown had the extraordinary experience of testing no fewer than 55 captured individual German aircraft types. These ranged from such exotic creations as the prone-pilot Berlin B9 and Horten IV, the push-and-pull Dornier DO335 and the remarkable little Heinkel He 162 Volksjager, to the highly innovative combat types that were entering the inventory of the Luftwaffe shortly before the demise of Germany's Third Reich. Brown also interrogated many of the leading German wartime aviation personalities, such as Willy Messerschmitt, Ernst Heinkel, Kurt Tank and Hanna Reitsch. From this background knowledge of German aviation he has selected those he considers the most important, and presents detailed descriptions of their background and characteristics.

Fighter Combat

Author: Robert L. Shaw
Publisher: US Naval Institute Press
ISBN: 9780870210594
Category : Air warfare
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
This book provides a detailed discussion of one-on-one dog-fights and multi-fighter team work tactics. Full discussions of fighter aircraft and weapons systems performance are provided along with an explanation of radar intercept tactics and an analysis of the elements involved in the performance of fighter missions.

Aircraft of the World

Author: International Masters Publishers, Incorporated
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781886614161
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description
Photographs and information about all aircraft.

RAF Fighter Airfields of World War 2

Author: Jonathan Falconer
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780711021754
Category : History
Languages : da
Pages : 128

Book Description
En komplet skildring af RAF's jagerflyvepladser under 2. verdenskrig i lighed med en tidligere bog om RAF bombeflyvepladser. Desuden en række piloters personlige oplevelser.

Aircraft of the Luftwaffe, 1935-1945

Author: Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786452803
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 409

Book Description
One of the most significant innovations in modern warfare has been the appearance and development of air power, a technology which demanded technical and financial investment on a whole new scale and which ultimately changed the fundamental nature of war itself. This book covers the history and development of the German air force from 1935 to 1945, with descriptions and illustrations of almost all of the Luftwaffe's airplanes, including fighters, jet fighters, dive-bombers, ground attackers, medium and heavy bombers, jet bombers, seaplanes, flying boats and carrier planes, transport and gliders, reconnaissance and training aircrafts, helicopters, and many futuristic projects and other rarities.