Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces

Author: Kari Stenman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782003436
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 199

Book Description
The story of the aces who flew the MS.406, an important aircraft not only because it was built in larger numbers than any other French fighter of the period, but also because it was the first modern fighter in the Armée de l'Air inventory. Although comparable to the British Hurricane and early models of the German Bf 109, it was outclassed when flown against the more powerful, and faster, Bf 109E. With little or no protection (no armour or self-sealing tanks), the MS.406 sustained heavy losses during the Battle of France. Too lightly armed, and fitted with unreliable weaponry, the French fighter struggled to down German bombers. It therefore comes as no surprise that only a dozen French pilots became fully fledged aces on the type during this period, despite the aircraft being present in significant numbers. However a score of pilots, who bagged their very first kills at the controls of the MS.406, fought on after the fall of France, flying Dewoitine D.520s, Spitfires and even Soviet Yak-3s to attain ace status against both Allied and Axis opponents.

MiG-3 Aces of World War 2

Author: Dmitriy Khazanov
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780960298
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 151

Book Description
The complete story of the pilots who 'made ace' while flying the original MiG fighters. The MiG-1/3 family of fighters was built to satisfy a Soviet Air Force requirement for an advanced, fast, high-altitude fighter. Entering service in the spring of 1941, the problematic MiG-1 had its handling issues rectified with the hasty production of the MiG-3. Many of these were destroyed on the ground when the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa. Nevertheless, enough examples survived to allow pilots such as Stepan Suprun and Aleksandr Pokryshkin to claim a number of victories in the type. This book tells the complete story of the men who made ace in the first examples of the famous MiG fighter.

Fokker D.XXI Aces of World War 2

Author: Kari Stenman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780960646
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 149

Book Description
The Dutch D.XXIs saw less than a week of action following the German invasion of the west on 10 May 1940, with many of the country's 28 fighters being destroyed on the ground. However, those that survived the initial onslaught inflicted losses on the Luftwaffe. By then, however, the D.XXI had found everlasting fame in Finland during the Winter War of 1939-40. Proving itself a real thorn in the side of the Soviets, the fighter, operating in primitive conditions and against vastly superior numbers, Finnish D.XXIs racked up an incredible score against the Red Air Force. The D.XXI also has the distinction of producing the first 'ace in a single mission' in World War 2, when then 1Lt Jorma Sarvanto shot down six Ilyushin DB-3 bombers on 6 January 1940. After spending a year providing home defence and flying coastal patrols during the early stages of the Continuation War in 1941, all surviving Finnish Fokker D.XXIs were relegated to the reconnaissance role, which they performed through to the end of hostilities in September 1944.

Enemy at the Gates

Author: Justo Miranda
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 383

Book Description
When the Nazis started to threaten the world with their efficient machine of propaganda, the main concern of European governments was the overwhelming reaction of panic that the expected bombing of the Luftwaffe might cause within the civil population. During the Munich Agreement in 1938, the democracies were defended by old biplanes and a bunch of modern fighters: 50 Hurricanes, 20 Morane-405 and 5 Fokker D.XXI. France and Great Britain took up the production of USA airplanes and cancelled exports to small countries, which were forced to design and build their own PANIC FIGHTERS with the intelligence and skill that desperation provides. When nothing seemed able to contain the German advance, France, Great Britain and the USSR developed several programs of emergency fighters, as did Australia, to face the Japanese expansion. At the time the course of events switched, it was the Axis powers that had to create their own PANIC FIGHTERS, some of them suicidal. The present book includes several last resource designs of fighters that are practically unknown and that were developed in times of tribulation by Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Japan, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Netherland, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.

French Aircraft 1939-1942: Dewoitine to Potez

Author: André Jouineau
Publisher:
ISBN: 9782915239492
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Thanks to this second volume, every single one of France's combat aircraft (fighters, bombers and recce aircraft) in the early years of W.W.II is now offered to the international audience, including the lesser known types. Each type is featured with an historical text, period photographs and color profiles.

Halifax Squadrons of World War 2

Author: Jon Lake
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9781855328921
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
The second of Britain's four-engined bombers to enter frontline service during World War II (1939-1945), Handley Page's Halifax has forever lived in the shadow of Avro's superb Lancaster. However, it was a Halifax which became the first RAF 'heavy' to drop bombs on Germany when No 35 Sqn raided Hamburg on the night of 12/13 March 1941. Between 1941-45, the Halifax completed some 75,532 sorties [compared with the Lancaster's 156,000] with Bomber Command alone, not to mention its sterling work as both a glider tug and paratroop carrier with the Airborne Forces, maritime patrol mount with Coastal Command and covert intruder with the SOE.

Polish Fighter Colours, 1939-1947

Author: Bartłomiej Belcarz
Publisher: MMP
ISBN: 9788363678623
Category : Fighter planes
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
This book describes in detail the camouflage and markings of the day fighters used by the Polish Air Force in 1939-47. Aircraft of Polish, French, British, American, Soviet and German origin are shown. Written by a well-known quartet of distinguished Polish aviation historians: Kopański, Belcarz, Gretzyngier and Matusiak. Many historical photos and color profiles.

Flying Colours

Author: William Green
Publisher: Salamander Books
ISBN: 9780861019441
Category : Airplanes, Military
Languages : en
Pages : 207

Book Description
Military aircraft have been variously daubed, cunningly camouflaged, boastfully personalized or otherwise extravagantly coloured since they first took to the air over 80 years ago. Flying Colours is a survey of this fascinating scene.

German Seaplane Fighters of WWI

Author: Jack Herris
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781935881513
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Book Description

The Pucará Story

Author: Ricardo Caballero
Publisher: MMP
ISBN: 9788361421825
Category : Airplanes, Military
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
The Argentine designed and built IA-58 Pucará light attack aircraft was developed in the late 1960s in response to a requirement drawn up by the Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force). After a long developmental period the design went into series production in 1974. The aircraft remains in active service to this day, with the FAA and with several foreign air forces. Best known for its involvement in the Malvinas conflict (Falklands war) in 1982, the Pucará remains an effective and much appreciated warplane. This book tells the full story of the design, development and operational use of the Pucará, including the many upgrades and redesigns tested and planned at various stages. Based on access to Argentine air force sources and archives, and discussions with serving and former Pucará crew, this is the first English-language book to describe this iconic aircraft in such detail. Fully illustrated with many photos, plans, and color profiles, this is an essential book for any aircraft enthusiast and historian.