In February 1942, a reconnaissance party of United States Army Air Forces officers arrived in England. Firmly wedded to the doctrine of daylight precision bombing, they believed they could help turn the tide of the war in Europe. In the months that followed, they formed the Eighth Air Force - an organization that grew at an astonishing rate. To accommodate it, almost seventy airfields were hastily built across the eastern counties of England. At the heart of the Eighth Air Force were its bombardment groups, each equipped with scores of heavily armed, four-engine bombers. These Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Consolidated B-24 Liberators were soon punching through the enemy's defences to bomb targets vital to its war effort. They were crewed by thousands of young American airmen, most of whom were volunteers. This book tells the story of just one "Bomb Group" - the 381st, which crossed the Atlantic in May 1943. Arriving at RAF Ridgewell on the Essex-Suffolk border, its airmen quickly found themselves thrown into the hazardous and attritional air battle raging in the skies over Europe.Bomb Group follows the 381st's path from its formation in the Texan desert, to its 297th and final bombing mission deep into the heart of Hitler's Third Reich. It is the remarkable story of one group and the part it played in the strategic bombing campaign of "The Mighty Eighth."

This book contains 8, A3 size scale plans in 1/48 and 1/72 scale of the British aircraft Blackburn Shark.

This book contains 8, A3 size scale plans in 1/48, 1/72 scale of the Japanese aircraft Kyushu Q1W Tokai (Lorna).

This book was written to redress this imbalance and tell the true story behind the development and operational deployment of the world’s first high-speed strategic reconnaissance aircraft, which began 6,000 miles further east and four years prior to the momentous events in Europe, under the guidance of the Imperial Japanese Army and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co Ltd. Faced with similar preconceptions, technical arguments, and a very rigid operational doctrine, the Mitsubishi Babs was developed during a brief golden aeronautical period (between the mid 1930s and early 1940s), when the Japanese aircraft industry flourished under constant military aircraft competitions and production orders. Free from prying eyes and shrouded within a self-imposed veil of secrecy, the Japanese developed numerous designs that were equal to and in some cases ahead of contemporary Western manufacturers. This book is the most comprehensive on the “Babs” yet published in English, with numerous photographs of the aircraft in service, several of which have never been published before, walkaround photographs of the preserved aircraft, illustrations from contemporary manuals, and color artwork.

Wayne K. Blickenstaff, known as 'Blick', was a stalwart of the 350th Fighter Squadron of the 353rd Fighter Group based at Goxhill, Metfield and Raydon, England as part of the Eighth Air Force prosecuting the strategic air campaign against Germany. As an original cadre member, he rose steadily through the ranks from a Second Lieutenant Element Leader to Flight Leader, Squadron Operations Officer, Squadron Leader and finally to a Lieutenant Colonel and Group Operations Officer. Flying the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang, he completed two tours of operations between 1943 and 1945 encompassing 133 missions and claims of 10 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air. His double 'ace' status included a Me262 jet fighter and the destruction of five aircraft in one mission, giving him rare 'ace in a day' status.Ace in a Day is Blick's honest and gritty personal memoir of his air war in Europe. His vivid writing places you in the cockpit as he and his comrades battle the enemy in the skies or attack ground targets across Europe. His account conveys a true sense of just how dangerous flying World War II fighters, in all weather conditions, really was. It was not just the enemy that could kill you. A moment's inattention, overconfidence or simple mistake could be deadly. As a keen observer of character, Blick's pen portraits of those around him, including many of those who sadly did not survive the war, offer a poignant and deeply moving tribute to those with whom he served.Anyone wanting an understanding of the dynamics of a working fighter squadron at war and the dilemmas faced by those in command should read this book. Supported by an impressive array of original documentation, photographs, and detailed appendices, including Blick's never-before published wartime journal, Ace in a Day provides a unique and valuable insight into the harsh realities of the air war in Europe from one of the 'Mighty Eighth's' top fighter pilots.

This book from the series “Inside” shows detailed drawings of the German aircraft instrument panels in great detail.Instrument panels of the following aircraft:Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4, Messerschmitt Me 262 A, Heinkel He 111 P-1, Henschel Hs 126 B, Dornier Do 17 Z, Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4, Fieseler Fi 156, Henschel HS 123, Focke Wulf Fw-190 A-3, Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-12, and Junkers Ju 87 B-1.

40 color profiles of the Grumman F4F Wildcat versions. Specially commissioned profiles with high level details.

This book contains 8, A3 size scale plans in 1/72 scale of the Soviet WW2 transport aircraft Lisunov Li-2.

This book compiles the 4-view color profiles, scale plans, and photo details of the single variant of the NAA P-51B-10-NA. Scale plans are in 1/72 scale, plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. It also includes photos of the details in B&W and color.

The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of aircraft which served in the South Pacific theatre. Volume Seven covers the Douglas C-47, including numerous derivatives such as the C-53, R4D and DC-3. This was the most universal aircraft type to appear in the South Pacific and was deployed from day one to the cessation of hostilities. It was utilised by every military organisation including eighteen Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force USAAF squadrons, and also by the USN, USMC, RAAF, RNZAF, RAF and Dutch Air Force. Most profiles are presented for the first time, alongside a full explanation of the markings. Frequent trading of airframes between units resulted in wide-ranging heraldry, unit markings and nose art. In particular until now there has been a paucity of information about the markings of Thirteenth Air Force C-47s and USMC R4Ds, a gap largely filled by this volume. This volume illustrates the development of unit markings from the first commandeered DC-3 airliners in Australia through to the RNZAF C-47s used in the last days of the Pacific War in the Solomons. The profiles are accompanied by unit histories and photos. A wide range of reference material has been consulted including photos, colour movies, official records, diaries and information from wreck sites.The author, Michael Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air war. Never before have such meticulous colour profiles of the C-47 series been illustrated with such detailed and accurate markings.

The small number of Finnish fighter pilots who defended Finland in three separate wars between 1939 and 1945 amassed scores only bettered by the Luftwaffe's pilots. Initially equipped with a mixed collection of fighters acquired from sources across the world, the Finnish Air Force was thrust into combat in the defensive Winter War against an invasion by the Soviet Union in 1939, followed by the Continuation War, together with Germany and the other Axis powers against the Soviets, in 1941–1944. The third conflict, the Lapland War against Germany, occurred in 1944–1945. Aircraft of the famous Finnish aces are described in detail with many photos and color profiles. This book includes the aircraft of Ilmari Juutilainen, Hans Wind, and Eino Luukkanen, among others. It is an essential reading for aviation enthusiasts and scale aeromodelers.

The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of aircraft which served in the South Pacific theatre. Volume Six covers a dozen USAAF Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force squadrons which operated the Bell P-39 and P-400 Airacobra from April 1942 until March 1944. They were used in a variety of roles including as fighters, dive-bombers and strafers. The wide-ranging colourful heraldry and nose art of Fifth Air Force Airacobras is partly explained by the frequent trading of particular airframes between units. Until now there has been a paucity of information about the markings of Thirteenth Air Force Airacobras, and this volume fills much of this wide gap. The first and last Airacobras lost in the theatre are illustrated, along with rare markings of a night fighter and a P-39 used by Fifth Fighter Command. This volume includes the early P-400s through to the P-39D/F/Ks and then the late model P-39N/Qs. The development of markings for each squadron is explained, together with brief squadron histories accompanied with supporting photos. A wide range of reference material was consulted including many rare photos, colour movies, official records, diaries and photos from wreck sites. The author, Michael Claringbould, is world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air war. Never before have such meticulous colour profiles been illustrated with a full explanation of their markings.

Volume Five of this series chronicles aerial warfare primarily in the New Guinea theatre in the critical period between September and December 1942. It can be read alone or as a continuation of the previous four volumes which span the first nine months of the Pacific War. By early September the strategic picture in the theatre had changed markedly within just six weeks. From their new Buna beachhead the Japanese Army commenced a Papuan mountain campaign which threatened the Allied bastion of Port Moresby. Meanwhile the battle for Guadalcanal was raging, with the outcome of the wider Pacific War in the balance. Against this background a strengthened US Fifth Air Force took the fight to the IJA with direct air support. While this was being conducted by P-39s, P-40Es, A-20As and B-25s, raids by B-17s against Rabaul aided US forces in the neighbouring Solomons. RAAF Beaufighters, Beauforts, Bostons and Hudsons also contributed substantially to these efforts. At Rabaul a wide variety of fresh IJN fighter and bomber units poured in the theatre, although these became focused mainly on the Solomons. Such were the massive losses experienced, by November the IJN undertook a complete operational and administrative reorganisation of its air power. Then, despite a strong reluctance to become involved, the IJA sent an advance reconnaissance detachment to Rabaul, the forerunner of major reinforcements that would arrive in December. Never before has this campaign been chronicled in such detail, with Allied and Japanese accounts matched together for a truly factual account of the conflict.

This book compiles 4-view color profiles, scale plans, and photo details of the single variant of the Hawker Hurricane IIb. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also includes photos of the details in B&W and color and 4-view color profiles of the Hawker Hurricane IIb of the VVS USSR.

This book compiles 4-view color profiles, scale plans, and photo details of the single variant of the Hawker Hurricane IIc. Scale plans in 1/72 and 1/48 scales plus drawings from wartime technical manuals. Also includes photos of the details in B&W and color and 4-view color profiles of the Hawker Hurricane IIc flown by Sgt Antoni Beda.

Many books on the Luftwaffe in World War II have been published over the years, although the Night Fighter´s branch has been studied less often. In our Guide to German Night Fighters in World War II you will be able to know all the types and subtypes of aircraft used by the Luftwaffe in the night defense of Germany. In addition, in a didactic way we will know the history of the German Night Fighters, the Units, aces, tactics, types of radars, the camouflages, the armament, etc. We will not forget the use of night fighters made in Germany in other countries such as Italy, Romania or Hungary, or even Japanese night fighters. Finally, we will make a ranking of the German night fighters to know which of them was the best. In this guide you will find everything you need to learn about German Night Fighters in an easy but comprehensive way.