Illustrated Book of Fighter Aircraft

This fantastic book offers an illustrated A-Z catalogue of over 170 aircraft, including early planes used in World War I, fighters from the inter-war years and World War II, and the highly powerful supersonic jet aircraft of today. This impressive volume traces the development of fighters from World War I to the present day, and highlights actions in which fighters played a crucial role. Technological improvements and subsequent increased performance are explored, together with the development of fighter armament and pilot equipment. Special topics include inflight refuelling and carrier-borne aircraft.
The book has two substantial and comprehensive A–Z sections which form an illustrated guide to over 170 fighter aircraft. The first section covers aircraft from the pioneering days of air fighting in World War I through to the early jets in action at the end of World War II. This section is brimming with information and often rare photographs of truly classic fighter aircraft including the Bristol Fighter, Spitfire and P-51 Mustang. The second section of the book focuses on the remarkable advances of post-World War II, mainly jet, aircraft from 1945 to the present day, and includes the MiG-15, Hunter, Harrier and F-14 Tomcat.
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.
Splendidly illustrated with 600 photographs, many previously unpublished from the Imperial War Museum Photograph Archive, this book provides enthusiasts and historians with key information about the world’s fighter aircraft. It is a must-have reference book for everyone interested in the aircraft that have helped make history.
Author, Francis Crosby, has written extensively on historic aviation and has acted as a consultant for the media and the publishing industry. His published works include: Bombers; The World Encyclopedia of Naval Aircraft (both Lorenz Books); Images of War: D-Day; and Images of War: The Luftwaffe in World War II (both Pen and Sword).