About this book/synopsis: This book is a compact illustrated directory of WWII fighter aircraft with full details and specifications. Includes over 20,000 words of expert text and data. At the start of World War II, the fighter was essentially a short-range warplane optimised for the defence of national airspace: aircraft typical of this concept were the Hawker Hurricane, Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Supermarine Spitfire. As the war progressed, the fighter was transformed into a longer-range warplane offering multi-role capability: drop tanks provided the additional range, and an increasing weight and diversity of external loads offered the additional capability in the escort and ground-attack roles. Most of the early aircraft could be adapted to the changing requirements, but others such as the classic American fighters, most notably the Grumman F6F Hellcat, North American P-51 Mustang, Republic P-47, Thunderbolt and Vought F4U were designed with these features. The introduction of considerably more powerful engines boosted performance to a significant degree, and then the advent of the turbojet allowed the creation of a new breed of fighter epitomised by the Gloucester Meteor and, most of all, the Messerschmitt Me 262. The Italians, Japanese and Soviets failed to match the most radical of these developments, but all produced fighters that were admirably suited to the tactical demands made of them.
Illustrated Directory of Submarines of the World (Illustrated Directory)
About this book/synopsis: This book is a compact illustrated directory of WWII Maritime Attack aircraft with full details and specifications. Includes over 20,000 words of expert text and data. All the major combatants in the Second World War developed and used maritime attack aircraft. The Germans saw such aircraft as a complement to their submarines for the devastation of Allied convoys, and the Japanese and Italians as their best method of attacking and destroying the major warships on which the British and Americans respectively relied for sustained operations in the Mediterranean and the Pacific. On the Allied side, it was the British and Americans who made the most extensive use of maritime attack aircraft from both shore bases and aircraft carriers. Aircraft carriers hoisted a range of single-engined warplanes for attacks on naval and land targets; the original combination of single-role dive bombers and torpedo bombers gradually being replaced by more advanced dual-role aircraft. Ultimately, it was the aircraft carriers the emerged from WWII as the new capital ship in succession to the battleship, and it was its large complement of maritime attack aircraft that gave the type its considerable power in the medium-range destruction of enemy.
About this book/synopsis: This book is a compact illustrated directory of WWII Maritime Attack aircraft with full details and specifications. Includes over 20,000 words of expert text and data. Having the latest data to hand on the enemy's dispositions and strengths has always been a key to the deduction of their intentions and the creation of counter-plans, and from the time of World War I reconnaissance to acquire such knowledge has become an increasingly vital task, figuring prominently in military thinking. Since the end of World War II, the use of aircraft for reconnaissance purposes has proliferated not so much in numerical terms of the aircraft involved but in the versatility of the reconnaissance that can now be provided through electronic and infra-red as well as optical means. Garnered by advanced sensors and processed by high-speed computers on board the reconnaissance aeroplane, the reconnaissance data can now be relayed in real time to the user force by means of a data link system. Moreover, the availability of advanced sensors and processors allows such aircraft to undertake other roles that include the command of friendly forces and disruption of the enemy's efforts.
This is a country-by-country guide to 130 landing ships and landing craft, with over 210 wartime and modern photographs. It features a complete guide to landing ships, detailing conventional personnel and cargo carriers, welldeck dock ships and modern multi-function ships accommodating helicopters, landing craft, military personnel, their vehicles and equipment. It also features a country-by-country directory of landing craft, from ramped beaching craft to present-day high-speed air-cushion craft, including amphibious tracked landing vehicles and peripheral activities such as minesweeping and obstacle clearance. Specification boxes provide at-a-glance information about each vessel's country of origin, displacement, dimensions, armament, machinery, power and endurance. It includes a technical glossary explaining naval acronyms, abbreviations and key terminology. Amphibious warfare vessels are ships that travel from shore to shore, and craft moving from ship to shore.This authoritative book consists of two illustrated directories, the first covering landing ships - the ocean-going vessels that transport personnel, cargo or vehicles - and then landing craft, the majority of which are transported aboard specialist ships. From float-on, float-off welldeck ships to high-speed air-cushion landing craft, 130 types from around the world are included. With over 210 photographs from museums, libraries and other historical sources, this instructive volume provides enthusiasts with a lively and engaging guide to a fascinating subject.
This is a country-by-country guide to 130 landing ships and landing craft, with over 210 wartime and modern photographs. It features a complete guide to landing ships, detailing conventional personnel and cargo carriers, welldeck dock ships and modern multi-function ships accommodating helicopters, landing craft, military personnel, their vehicles and equipment. It also features a country-by-country directory of landing craft, from ramped beaching craft to present-day high-speed air-cushion craft, including amphibious tracked landing vehicles and peripheral activities such as minesweeping and obstacle clearance. Specification boxes provide at-a-glance information about each vessel's country of origin, displacement, dimensions, armament, machinery, power and endurance. It includes a technical glossary explaining naval acronyms, abbreviations and key terminology. Amphibious warfare vessels are ships that travel from shore to shore, and craft moving from ship to shore.
This authoritative book consists of two illustrated directories, the first covering landing ships - the ocean-going vessels that transport personnel, cargo or vehicles - and then landing craft, the majority of which are transported aboard specialist ships. From float-on, float-off welldeck ships to high-speed air-cushion landing craft, 130 types from around the world are included. With over 210 photographs from museums, libraries and other historical sources, this instructive volume provides enthusiasts with a lively and engaging guide to a fascinating subject.
Edited by Ray Bonds, this book cover over 600 weapons described with 600 illustrations, most in color, over 200,000 words of text and data. This magnificently illustrated volume is destined to be among the most well-thumbed books on the military enthusiast's shelves, since it provides instant reference to all the most important weapons in use in the world today. 2ff7e9595c
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