Luftvåben og luftkrigsførelse

The Boeing YC-14 was prototype aircraft intended to replace the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The aircraft never entered full production, and just two prototypes were built. Author John Wimpress was a member of the YC-14 design team, providing him intimate knowledge of this rare aircraft.

The story of Myasishchev's supersonic strategic bombers of the late 1950s, the M-50 and M-52 prototypes.

An unpublished firsthand account of life aboard a German airship during the First World War.

A hilarious collection of naval aviator call sign origin stories as told by USMC fighter pilot Ben "Lobo" Taggart.

Major Charles Carpenter made headlines during the Second World War when he affixed six bazookas to his tiny Piper L-4 observation plane and began attacking German tanks. "Bazooka Charlie" and his plane "Rosie the Rocketer" were profiled in a variety of military and civilian publications, including the iconic Stars & Stripes. The major was a high school educator in the civilian world, teaching history and coaching football. Carpenter was talented, highly intelligent, and athletically gifted, but the war truly tested him. In 1945, the dashing pilot was forced out of the cockpit and into a hospital bed by Hodgkin's lymphoma, which was discovered in his neck. In addition to the enemy and terminal cancer, Carpenter also battled cynicism and guilt, particularly in regard to the state of his marriage, which was on the brink of failure by the time he returned home from Europe. Charles Carpenter died in 1966, having resumed his career, salvaged his marriage, and long outlived the timeline afforded him by his doctors in the initial prognosis. This revealing biography of the famous pilot was made possible through the collaboration of noted aviation author and magazine editor Jim Busha, and Carpenter's daughter, Carol Apacki. Along with memories of her father in his postwar years, Carol provided a treasure trove of wartime correspondence between Charles and his wife, Elda Carpenter.

High Desert Deployment highlights the aircraft that are such a vital part in the war on terror, the ones that are, at this time, deployed around the world to project power to maintain our freedom. Stunning images show the colorful history of various squadrons along with the markings the aircraft display.

Bomber Command is a richly illustrated account of the Royal Air Force organisation from its inception prior to the Second World War in 1936 to its final years during the Cold War. The book covers the reasons for Bomber Command and the personnel that guided its formation and the philosophy and politics of the change from strategic bombing to area bombing, and the ensuing controversy. The Bomber Command organisation and how it functioned is traced, from Headquarters down to the various Groups and the many Squadrons. Famous and specialised Squadrons and the honours awarded to them are explored. Gordon Wilson does not neglect the social impact of this huge organisation: a bomber base had a large impact on the local economy and many lasting war-time bonds were established. The operational aircraft that spearheaded the might of Bomber Command and brought the bombs to the enemy's shores included famous machines such as the Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax and the unique fighter-bomber, the de Havilland Mosquito. The author analyses their construction and performance. Major target raids and the aircraft and Squadrons taking part are described. Some raids were ill conceived, others were brilliant in their execution. The transition to the Cold War and nuclear deterrence naturally confronted Bomber Command with an entirely rewritten role and saw the introduction of a new generation of V-Force jet bombers. Complemented with a range of images of memorials, famous personnel, stations, aircraft, aircraft engines, and manufacturer's factories, Bomber Command is a fitting tribute to 'The Many'.

In the early 1980s, after a series of terrorist attacks resulted in American Americans, the United States struck back. Operation Eldorado Canyon is usually remembered as a long-range mission by F-111s. However, it involved many other participants.

This is the second of three volumes in the Airborne to Arnhem series. Altogether the three volumes contain over 150 personal accounts taken from personal interviews and correspondence with veterans of the 1st Airborne Division covering their reminiscences of the Battle of Arnhem, Operation MARKET, September 1944.

The vivid account of a war correspondent shot down over Germany and taken prisoner.

Using archival photographs sourced directly from Vietnam, specially commissioned diagrams and combat accounts from veterans, István Toperczer reveals how the MiG-21 defended Vietnam between 1966 and 1968. One of the most successful communist jet fighters ever built, the MiG-21 "Fishbed" was involved in a series of deadly duels with American fighters over North Vietnam as the USAF and US Navy ramped up strike missions during Operation Rolling Thunder, culminating in the destruction of over 70 US aircraft for the loss of 35 "Fishbeds."Having honed their skills on the subsonic MiG-17, pilots of the Vietnam People's Air Force received their first examples of the legendary MiG-21 supersonic fighter in 1966. Soon thrown into combat over North Vietnam, the guided-missile-equipped MiG-21 proved a deadly opponent for the American crews striking at targets deep into communist territory. Although the communist pilots initially struggled to come to terms with the fighter's air search radar and weapons systems, the ceaseless cycle of combat operations quickly honed their skills. The best fighter then available to the VPAF, more than 200 MiG-21s (of various sub-types) were supplied to the North Vietnamese. In this study, leading VPAF authority István Toperczer analyzes the tactics used by the MiG-21 pilots over the bitter fighting in North Vietnam during Rolling Thunder. The highspeed 'hit and run' attacks employed by the communist pilots proved to be very successful, with both R-3S air-to-air missiles and heavy-caliber cannon inflicting a rising toll on American jets. Using first-hand accounts from MiG-21 pilots, battlescene artwork, combat ribbon diagrams, and armament views, the author details the important role played by the "Fishbed" in the defense of North Vietnam.

A fascinating exploration of the feats of the RAF's photographic reconnaissance aircraft.The photographic reconnaissance (PR) versions of the Supermarine Spitfire saw service against the Axis Tripartite throughout World War 2. Its superior performance even led to the USAAF adopting the type for the Eighth Air Force's reconnaissance needs in Europe. PR Spitfires were responsible for some of the most significant intelligence finds of the war - from low-level oblique photographs of new German radars in France to locating the battleship Bismarck off the Norwegian coast before it attempted to sortie into the Atlantic. It has been estimated that as much as 80 per cent of Allied intelligence was gathered from aerial photographs, many of which were taken by cameras installed in PR Spitfires.In this volume, RAF PR specialist Andrew Fletcher details the important part played by the small number of 'photo-recce' Spitfires in the key theatres of World War 2. His detailed text, which includes numerous first-hand accounts, chronicles operations from the first months of the conflict through to VJ Day.

Using specially commissioned artwork and detailing technical specifications, this book explores the Bf 109's different roles occasioned by wartime necessity, from its employment as a fighter to its evolution as a fighter-bomber.One of the principal types in the Luftwaffe's inventory at the beginning of World War II, the piston-engined Bf 109 was central to the many initial victories that the Germans achieved before coming up against the unbeatable RAF during the Battle of Britain. Nevertheless, by the second half of 1940 the Bf 109's operability was widened due to operational needs and it was flown as a fighter-bomber for precision attacks in Southern England. At first ad hoc conversions were made 'in the field' to allow the aircraft to carry a bomb or extra fuel tank. Such modifications were soon formalised by Messerschmitt, which created the Jabo Bf 109s. Drawing from pilots' first-hand accounts, author Malcolm V. Lowe explores the number of specialised units, including Lehrgeschwader 2 and dedicated fighter-bomber sections of standard fighter units such as 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26, which flew this highly specialised fighter-bomber. Including technical specifications, rare photographs and outstanding artwork, this book explores the Jabo versions of the Bf 109E, F and G both on the production line and with the addition of Rüstsätze field conversion kits.

A fully illustrated study of the Nakajima Ki49 'Helen', the twin-engined bomber of the Pacific War, from Japanese aviation expert George Eleftheriou.The Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu ('Dragon Eater'), codenamed 'Helen' by the Allies, was a twin-engined Japanese bomber designed to undertake daylight attacks without the protection of escort fighters. Consequently, while it was officially known as the Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber, its formidable defensive armament and armour were so heavy that they restricted the Ki-49 to payloads comparable to those of smaller medium bombers. While only five heavy bomber sentai (regiments) were equipped with the 'Helen', the over 800 Ki-49s built between 1941 and 1944 saw extensive action in Burma, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, northern India and north Australia. In an act of desperation, a small number of 'Helens' were even employed, unsuccessfully, as kamikaze aircraft against US Navy warships operating off the Philippines and Okinawa. In this fascinating book, George Eleftheriou provides a comprehensive account of the units that saw action flying the 'Helen', based on original Japanese sources. Also featuring high-quality photographs never published before, specially commissioned colour profile artwork, official unit histories and veteran accounts, this title is a must-have for Japanese aircraft enthusiasts.

X Flight was designated the task of giving close air support to the desert army formed and commanded by Lawrence of Arabia. It flew from advanced desert landing grounds on reconnaissance, liaison, bombing and ground attack missions.

"Is it possible for two combatants who possess equally strong air forces to conduct limited warfare by restraining air operations? In Restraining Air Power, Robert C. Owen and contributing authors aim to answer this question by providing theoretical and empirical assessments of restrained air warfare through five historical case studies since 1945. Through an objective analysis of the past, this collection evaluates the principles of escalation and escalation management in conventional warfare scenarios to better understand when, why, and how peer opponents in past conflicts have expanded or restrained air operations. The surge in cyber warfare, the development of artificially intelligent weaponry, and the founding of the United States Space Force in 2019 mean that analysts and military planners must be prepared to think about escalation management and peer conflict in increasingly complicated and arduous ways. This comprehensive study provides readers with refined theoretical visions of the possibilities and challenges of managing escalation as a powerful mode of warfare between opponents who believe they must choose between sacrificing their own national interests or risking escalated destruction of their economies, military forces, and governing authority. The analysis within the pages of this volume updates our understanding of air warfare within a world of unprecedented military complexity and, as such, will hold immense value for specialists in advanced military studies as well as those studying international relations and history"--

Do you want to know how it feels to be an Ace in a world at war?Defy gravity with Dr. Duke Thomas, WWI Flying Ace, in his open cockpit biplane as he survives the war-torn skies of Europe and Egypt.In this epic aviation and archaeological adventure, Duke, an American volunteer fighter pilot, and Archaeology PhD, is surprised and amazed by his own supernatural ability to survive momentous aerial battles, German cavalry forces, and ruthless bounty hunters as he follows clues left by Caesar, Ptolemy, and Cleopatra, to solve one of the world's greatest ancient mysteries.As the Spanish Flu pandemic and World War I rages on, Duke explores three continents, sails three oceans, and finds true love in a steamy wartime romance. In battle, he flawlessly maneuvers aviation's historic Nieuport 28 Biplanes and Sopwith Triplanes in momentous dogfights against the best of the Red Baron's Flying Circus. While surviving against all odds, Duke discovers legendary riches and powers that could change the known world.If you enjoyed the recent release of "The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel" by Douglas Brunt, and the Indiana Jones series, you'll love the Sky Raider novel, with its version of the mystery surrounding the death of the Red Baron and Duke's amazing archaeological discovery.As you read this fast-paced page turner, you will surely fall in love with Duke, Juliette, Cleopatra, and many other colorful characters in this amazing first novel by Dr. Thomas Upson. Keep your eyes out for the sequel!

"Irresistible . . .  My aviation title of the year." — Rowland White"Stupendously brilliant . . . Completely addictive." — James Holland"The most explosive book about aircraft ever." — Jim Moir, aka Vic ReevesFrom the terror and exhilaration of First World War dogfighting to the dark arts of modern air combat, here is an enthralling ode to that most brutally exciting of machines: the warplane.The Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is a beautifully designed, highly illustrated collection of the very best articles from Hush-Kit – the world’s leading alternative aviation online magazine – combined with a heavy punch of new and exclusive pieces. It contains a wealth of brilliant material, from Top 10 lists and historical deep-dives to interviews with legendary fighter pilots and expert analysis of weapons, tactics and technology.This knowledge and impeccable research is balanced throughout with the irreverent attitude, wicked satire and sharp eye for the absurdities of the aeronautical world that have made the magazine so popular with its readers. The book itself is also a stunning object, featuring first-rate photography alongside original, specially commissioned artwork. Inside it you will find:Interviews with pilots of the F-14 Tomcat, the Mirage, the MiG-25, the English Electric Lightning, the Rafale and the B-52 among others.Comprehensive surveys including ‘The Ultimate Biplane Fighters', ‘10 Incredible Cancelled Military Aircraft’ and ‘Aviation Myths You Shouldn’t Believe’.Fascinating insights into obscure and overlooked warplanes.Unbelievable accounts of the most bizarre moments in aviation history.And much, much more.

Jagdgeschwader 26, the German elite fighter unit, was more feared by the Allies than any other Luftwaffe group.

The TV presenter and newsreader Jan Leeming reveals her journey into Mouchotte's courageous and inspirational story.

Previously self-published by the author, this book charts the course of a dramatic career as a Wing Commander. Living through one of the most dynamic periods in the history of military and aviation development, Bruce Gibson saw events play out from his elevated aerial position.