Fighter Aircraft Of World Wars I And Ii

This is an illustrated history of fighter planes from 1914 to 1945. It is a guide to over 100 of the fighters that have helped shape history, including the Fokker Dr I Triplane, Hawker Hurricane, Messerschmitt Bf109, North American P/F-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, and many more. It includes a history of fighter aircraft, from anecdotes about the first flying aces to fighter armament and equipment during World War II. It features colour and black-and-white photographs from the Imperial War Museum Photograph Archive, many rarely published before. The book begins with an introduction covering the history of fighter aircraft from the pioneering days of air fighting in World War I through to the famous Spitfires, Hurricanes and Messerschmitts of World War II. The main section of the book is a substantial A - Z guide to fighters of the two World Wars, and is brimming with information and often rare photographs of truly classic fighter aircraft. Detailed specification boxes are featured for every aircraft listed. These contain up-to-date information, including country of origin, first flight, power, armament, size, weights and performance. It is a must-have reference book for everyone interested in the aircraft that have helped make history.