Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Frontline Books
ISBN: 1853673293
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 73
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Book Description
This addition to the Luftwaffe at War Series is a fully illustrated guide to the formative years of the Ju 87 dive-bomber which dominated the opening campaigns of W orld War II.
Author: Alistair Smith
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1783408960
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 148
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Book Description
“A very nice release about the most recognizable German aircraft of the Second World War” from the author of Rommel’s Army in the Desert (Inscale.org). The photographs in this collection belonged to Luftwaffe Stuka rear gunner and radio operator Erich Heine. The collection includes photographs of flights of Stukas in formation, operating training aircraft, and a selection of different Luftwaffe uniforms and flight gear. The photographer was based for a period in Czechoslovakia, was shot down over the Ukraine in August 1943 and for a time was listed as missing in action. This collection offers a unique insight into the German experience of World War Two, providing the opportunity to access materials that have never been published before “The book very ably documents the war career of the aircraft and the pilots, reproducing some outstanding images of war.” —Firetrench “The most remarkable thing about this album is that it contains photographs of perhaps the most famous Stuka ace, Hans-Ulrich Rudel.” —Inscale.org “The photographs . . . show the life of Erich and Luftwaffe Stuka crew members through training/deployment/leave and include funerals of squadron members . . . The narrative gives a good overview of the Stuka in service and the photographs show varied views of the aircraft and day to day life within the squadron.” —WW2 Talk
Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Frontline Books
ISBN: 1784380288
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 134
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Book Description
This new edition to the Luftwaffe at War ser ies captures the many roles adopted by the Ju 87 in this dem anding theatre - from dive bomber to tank buster and the var ieties of plane type. The illustrations show the planes'' cou rageous contribution to war.
Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1473874254
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 401
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Book Description
The era of the combat biplane is usually thought to have been between 1914 and 1938. By the outbreak of World War II, most of the advanced air forces of the world had moved on to monoplane aircraft for their front-line battle forces, both in bomber and fighter capacities. Yet despite this, many biplanes did still survive, both in front-line service and in numerous subsidiary roles, and not just as training machines but as fully operational warplanes. Thus in 1939 the majority of major European powers still retained some, albeit few, biplane aircraft. Sadly, and as an indictment of failed British Government defence policies, it was Great Britain who still had the bulk of such obsolescent combat aircraft, machines like the Gladiator, Swordfish, Walrus, Vildebeeste and Audax for example, while the inferior Albacore, meant to replace the Swordfish, was still yet to enter service!Germany had relegated most of her biplane designs to secondary roles, but they still managed to conduct missions in which biplanes like the He.50, He.51 and Hs.120 excelled. Both France and Italy had biplanes in active service, Mussolini's Regia Aeronautica attaching great importance to the type as a fighter aircraft as late as 1941, while the Soviet Union also retained some machines like the Po-2 in front-line service right through the war and beyond. In addition, a whole range of smaller nations utilised biplanes built for larger combatants in their own air forces. By the time Japan and the United States entered the war two years later, they had mainly rid themselves of biplanes but, even here, a few specialised types lingered on. This book describes a selection of these gallant old warriors of all nations. They represent the author's own personal selection from a surprisingly large range of aircraft that, despite all predictions, fought hard and well in World War II.
Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1473846668
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 313
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Book Description
A history of the Japanese aircraft, “illustrated by well reproduced black and white photographs” details the plane’s impressive WWII aviation record. (Aviation News) The Mitsubishi Zero is one of the greatest fighter aircraft ever to have graced the skies. Symbolic of the might of Imperial Japan, she represented a peak of developmental prowess in the field of aviation during the early years of the Second World War. Engineered with maneuverability in mind, this lightweight, stripped-back aircraft had a performance that left her opponents totally outclassed. The dogfights this aircraft engaged in with the Chinese, British, Dutch and American warplanes in the 1941-42 period are the stuff of aviation legend. The Zero remained a potent threat until the end of the war, not least in her final role, that of a Kamikaze plane, in which she created as much havoc on the sea as she had done earlier in the air. Peter C. Smith takes the reader on a journey from inspired inception to the blazing termination of this unique aircraft, the first Naval fighter to be superior to land-based aircraft. Mitsubishi Zero describes in detail the many victories that punctuated the early days of the plane’s operational career as well as the final days of the Second World War which witnessed her demise. Smith also lists the preserved Zero aircraft on display today. This is a fast-paced and fascinating history of a fighter aircraft like no other.
Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1844687201
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 217
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Book Description
“A successful book, giving a picture of life on a major warship, as well as a different view of some of the main naval actions of the Second World War.” —HistoryOfWar.org This is the story of the Royal Navy battle-cruiser HMS Renown, a famous ship with a long and distinguished operational career. Originally built for the First World War she subsequently served in the post-war fleet and took royalty around the world. Modernized just in time for World War Two, she re-joined the fleet in September, 1939 and for the first two years of the war her speed and heavy gun armament made her one of the most important ships of the fleet. She escorted the famous carrier Ark Royal for most of her illustrious career as flagship of Force “H” in the Mediterranean and took part in many stirring battles and convoy actions. Later she covered Russian convoys in the Arctic before going out to the Indian Ocean where she took part in attacks on Japanese targets in the Indian Ocean. Her final duties included the meeting of King George VI and President Truman in 1945. A host of fresh detail coupled with eyewitness memoirs from former crew members make this an outstanding warship biography. “If you like a thorough, detailed history of a famous, long lived fighting ship, this volume will give you just what you’re looking for. It also provides an insightful look at some of the Royal Navy’s more interesting naval leaders, including Admirals Cunningham and Somerville.” —IPMS/USA
Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1783409088
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 539
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Book Description
The incredible story of the dive bomber is told through official reports and personal accounts from combat pilots in this sweeping military history. The History of Dive Bombing delves beneath the myths to present an in-depth history. Peter Smith tells the full story of these planes from the first true combat dive bombing by a Royal Air Force pilot in 1917 to the last stirring wartime actions. Interviews with pilots from both World Wars representing all combatant nations give eyewitness viewpoints on many of the major actions and methods employed. From the first dive-bomber missions of World War II, through accounts of British attacks on German warships during the Norwegian campaign, and Stuka missions against the French and British forces, this volume vividly recreates the drama, strategy and tactics of dive bombing. Some well known aircraft types include, such as the Curtiss Helldiver, Aichi D3A1, Blackburn Skua, and the infamous Junkers Ju 87.
Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 178303873X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 179
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Book Description
This is a highly illustrated history one of the most deadly types of atta aircraft. The torpedo bomber first appeared during the later years of World War One but served their most useful role in the Second World War. The most famous attas include Taranto, where Fairey Swordfish destroyed the Italian Battle fleet and the infamous surprise atta on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. In both these cases the attas were against ships laying in harbor and therefore stationary. Heavy defensive anti-aircraft fire was the greatest danger to the torpedo bombers in those circumstances but ships under way in the open sea had far more room to take evasive action. The lengthy time it took a torpedo to reach its target allowed many ships to escape destruction. However notable exceptions were the sinking HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse by the Japanese during the early stages of the war in the Far East. During the hunt for the Bismar it was an air-launched torpedo from a Swordfish that severely damaged the ships steering gear and enabled the Royal Navy to close in for the final kill. Some of the types included are the Fairey Swordfish, Bristol Beaufort, Fairey Albacore, Bristol Beaufighter, Heinkell He 115, Marchetti SM.79, Fokker T.VIII, Grumman Avenger and the Nakajima B5N.
Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 184884705X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 857
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Book Description
This is an in-depth study of the battle of Midway that reviews the many previous accounts and compares their accuracy and veracity with fresh documentation that has been released recently, including new material on the post-war analysis made by a US select committee. There are new viewpoints on the muddle among the US Admirals; the total failure of the USAAF, despite elaborate claims; fresh thinking on the part played by the US Navy Dauntless dive-bombers in the action; the mystery of the carrier Saratoga's presence; Hollywood's totally wrong take on the battle in all the films since made about it. Also, included are new eyewitness accounts the author has obtained and information from Japanese sources that has never been previously published. The lengthy Appendices will include statistical details of the ships, the planes and the men.
Author: John C. Fredriksen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1576075516
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 407
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Book Description
In depth descriptions and photographs of the aircraft of 21 nations presented with a unique human dimension that goes behind the machines to the people involved. Invaluable for specialists, accessible to enthusiasts, International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914–2000 puts the most legendary fighter aircraft of the 20th century developed outside the United States on vivid display. It offers 336 illustrated "biographies" of the most significant warplanes used in squadron service from World War I to the Balkan conflict, including numerous models from Great Britain, France, Russia, and Japan, as well as notable machines from Israel, Canada, China, India, Brazil, and other nations. Entries span the history and scope of military aircraft from bombers and fighters to transports, trainers, reconnaissance craft, sea planes, and helicopters, with each capsule history combining nuts-and-bolts technical data with the story of that model's evolution and use. Together, these portraits offer an exciting, well-researched tribute to visionary designers and builders as well as courageous pilots and crews across the globe, and tell a vivid tale of how air power became such a decisive factor in modern warfare.
