By producing the A300-the first twin-jet, wide-body airliner in the world-the European Airbus consortium succeeded in joining the league of leading aircraft makers. The path was both rocky and exciting. Filled with detailed text, including historical, technological, and flight information, as well as colorful photos, this volume provides a fascinating insight into the history of commercial aviation. The first aircraft designed, built, and sold by Airbus, the A300 airliner debuted in 1974 with Air France and was in constant service throughout the world. Among the many past and present airlines flying the A300/310 are Air Hong Kong, Air France, Air India, American, China Airlines, Eastern, EgyptAir, FedEx, Finnair, Iberia, Korean Air, Pan Am, SAS, UPS, and many others. Though it is no longer produced, examples of the aircraft still fly today.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 229 x 229 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2021

The Boeing 737 is undoubtedly one of the best known of all passenger aircraft and has been built in greater numbers than any other commercial aircraft in the world. There are few airline passengers of the last decade who have not yet flown on one of these aircraft. More than 10,000 examples have been built in all its variants-an unbelievably high number for an airliner. This book describes the aircraft's early development-from the first concept drawings in the early 1960s to construction, testing, and first flights-to the present, with exciting photos, drawings, and information from the Boeing company archives. From the 737-100 through to today's 737MAX, all versions are covered in detail, including its use by many of the world's airlines, including Air France, British Airways, Delta, Easyjet, Lufthansa, SAS, Southwest, and many others.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 229 x 229 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2021

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 three-engine jet is one of the most distinctive wide-bodied aircraft and since the early 1970s has been operated by many airlines on medium- and long-distance routes throughout the world. Successfully flying passenger service for over 40 years, the DC-10 currently still flies for FedEx in an airfreight delivery role. Filled with design and construction information, background history, technical data, and rare images, this book describes the exciting story of this aviation legend as flown by such current and past airlines as Aeroflot, American, Delta, Eastern, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest, Pan Am, Qantas, SAS, Swissair, United, and many others. Also, the US Air Force has been flying the KC-10 Extender aerial-refueling tanker variant since the early 1980s. Coverage of the follow-on MD-11 series of aircraft is also included.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 229 x 229 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2021

We can all walk into any of the myriad aircraft museums dotted across the world and appreciate the wonderfully restored and preserved exhibits on display. But what about the many gems lovingly brought back to life and hiding away in people’s garages, sheds, barns and gardens? With Gavin Hoffen’s book you become a privileged spectator into a dedicated but often secretive world – to protect their security, names, projects and locations have been limited to the very basics. This is the nostalgic domain of the amateur restorer, hobbyist, and ‘cockpiteer’ of which Gavin is one. Here you will find complete coverage of over 20 projects worldwide with background histories of the aircraft, colour photos of the restoration and full information and specifications – be it of cockpit, fuselage, or full aircraft. From Spitfire to Chipmunk, Vulcan to Buccaneer, Piper Aztec to B-52, this is a fascinating insight into an obsession with the romance that aviation once was. A must-see for every aircraft aficionado, and an inspiration for future preservers.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 153 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 16-04-2021

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns reflects on his illustrious career in this fascinating autobiography. During his time in the RAF, Sir Richard attended RAF College Cranwell, served as an operational fast-jet pilot on Javelin night-fighters and then fighter-reece Hunters operating from Aden and Oman. He also commanded the Harrier Force in Germany. As a qualified flying instructor, he taught the Prince of Wales to fly to wings standard. During the 1990s, Sir Richard held a succession of senior national and NATO appointments and played an important role throughout conflicts such as the first Gulf War and the Balkans war. It was in 1997 that he received his appointment as chief of the Air Staff where he was responsible for the operational efficiency and morale of the Royal Air Force. During his last three years of service, the air chief marshal was fully involved in the decision-making process of the Strategic Defence Review, the commitment of RAF aircraft to operations over and within Kosovo and continuing air operations over north and south Iraq. His distinguished career gave him the privilege of a rare, if not singular, perspective of the RAF, its sister services and national defence matters, witnessing a steady decline in the combat power of the UK’s armed forces as financial management took precedence over identifying strategic priorities and maintaining the vital skill-set of service personnel. His views are forensic and forthright, balanced and thought-provoking and this autobiography should be essential reading for anyone interested in the development of Allied air power over the last fifty years.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 320

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2021

Lord Alanbrooke was Churchill's right-hand man during World War II, and as Chief of the Imperial General Staff he had an integral part in shaping the strategy of Britain and the Allies. Despite this crucial role, he is very little known compared to military commanders such as Montgomery, Alexander, Slim, Mountbatten, Patton, or Eisenhower. This new biography of Lord Alanbrooke uses archival material and his diaries to trace his life, including his experiences in World War I and the development of his military career in the interwar years, with a focus on his post as the Chief of the Imperial General Staff during World War II. Voted the greatest Briton of the 20th century, Churchill has long been credited with almost single-handedly leading his country to victory in World War II. However without Brooke, a skilled tactician, at his side the outcome might well have been disastrous. Brooke more often than not served as a brake on some of Churchill's more impetuous ideas. However, while Brooke's diaries reveal his fury with some of Churchill's decisions, they also reveal his respect and admiration for the wartime prime minister. In return Churchill must surely have considered Brooke one of his most difficult subordinates but later wrote that he was "fearless, formidable, articulate, and in the end convincing". As CIGS, Brooke was integral to coordination between the Allied forces, and so had to wrestle with the cultural strategy clash between the British and Americans. Comments in his diaries offer up his opinions of both his British and American military colleagues - his negative assessments of Mountbatten's ability, and acerbic comments on the difficult character of de Gaulle and the weaknesses of Eisenhower. Conversely he was clearly over-indulgent in the face of Montgomery's foibles. Brooke was often seen as a stern and humourless figure, but a study of his private life reveals an little-seen lighter side, a lifelong passion for birdwatching, and abiding love for his family. The two tragedies that befell his immediate family were a critical influence on his life. Sangster completes this new biography with a survey of the way various historians have assessed Brooke, explaining how he has lapsed into seeming obscurity in the years since his crucial part in the Allied victory in World War II.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 384

Dimensions: 152 x 228 mm

Publication Date: 26-03-2021

World War I witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation in aircraft design, construction, and as the war progressed - mass production. Each country generated its own innovations sometimes in surprising ways - Albatros Fokker, Pfalz, and Junkers in Germany and Nieuport, Spad, Sopwith and Bristol in France and Britain. This book focuses on the British approach to fighter design, construction, and mass production. Initially the French led the way in Allied fighter development with their Bleriot trainers then nimble Nieuport Scouts - culminating with the powerful, fast gun platforms as exemplified by the Spads. The Spads had a major drawback however, in that they were difficult and counter-intuitive to fix in the field. The British developed fighters in a very different way; Tommy Sopwith had a distinctive approach to fighter design that relied on lightly loaded wings and simple functional box-girder fuselages. His Camel was revolutionary as it combined all the weight well forward; enabling the Camel to turn very quickly - but also making it an unforgiving fighter for the inexperienced. The Royal Aircraft Factory's SE5a represented another leap forward with its comfortable cockpit, modern instrumentation, and inline engine - clearly influenced by both Spads and German aircraft. Each manufacturer and design team vied for the upper hand and deftly and quickly appropriated good ideas from other companies - be they friend or foe. Developments in tactics and deployment also influenced design - from the early reconnaissance planes, to turn fighters, finally planes that relied upon formation tactics, speed, and firepower. Advances were so great that the postwar industry seemed bland by comparison.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 92

Dimensions: 203 x 254 mm

Publication Date: 15-04-2021

The M3 Lee was America's first mass-produced combat tank. Its unusual configuration of hull-mounted 75 mm gun and turret-mounted 37 mm cannon was a result of the rush to get the vehicle in production following Nazi Germany's rapid advances in Europe. Following heavy British tank losses in France, the Commonwealth turned to the US to bolster their tank stocks, and the M3 was adapted, through the use of a different turret style, to fill this need. Later, as more-advanced tanks became available, notably the M4 Sherman, the M3s were adapted to fill other roles. This book chronicles the development and use of these vehicles from concept to combat. Through dozens of archival photos, many never before published, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existent examples of surviving vehicles, these iconic armored fighting vehicles are explored, and their history is explained.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 112

Dimensions: 229 x 229 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2021

Developed to provide the US military with a fast-moving reconnaissance vehicle sufficiently armed to knock out WWII-era armored vehicles. The M8 Armored Car and its sibling, the M20 Armored Utility Vehicles, were the most widely used armored vehicles built by Ford. These vehicles saw use with the US Army as well as Allied nations during WWII and well into the 1960s. This book chronicles the development and use of the vehicle from concept to combat. Through dozens of archival photos, many never before published, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existent examples of these vehicles, this iconic tank is explored, and its history is explained.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 128

Dimensions: 229 x 229 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2021

In Angola, South African and Cuban troops are engaged in the biggest tank battle since the second world war. Ministers want MI6 to intervene, but discreetly. The South Africans after all are battling to preserve apartheid. On the front line in Angola Thomas is exposed to the realities of war. But death is soon much closer to home. After thirty years at the heart of British Intelligence Adam Joseff has retired to his stamp collection. His loyalty is beyond question. Until he is murdered in the Caribbean. Then the questions start. Has Joseff betrayed his country? Or has he been betrayed? What was he doing in Antigua? Who could want to kill him? And why was he so interested in an Angolan student young enough to be his granddaughter? In the latest Dylan thriller Thomas and Julia confront death, betrayal and their own conscience. They start pulling the clues together to solve this latest mystery and then the politicians take over...

Bind: paperback

Pages: 320

Dimensions: 129 x 198 mm

Publication Date: 22-04-2021