Flying Legends of World War II
Flying Legends of World War II

Author: Philip Handleman

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2011-06-13

Total Pages: 219

ISBN-13: 1783032383

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More than thirty Allied Forces' WWII aircraft types are illustrated in many rare and previously unpublished black and white and color photographs. Each type is described giving vital data on development history, combat record, famous pilots and significant air battles. Performance, range and weapon loads are also included. The unique color photographs are from the collection of the late William B. Slate, an aviation photographer who strove to capture the thrilling perspective that can only come from close-up, in-flight vantage points from an aircraft flying in formation.

Two-Man Air Force
Two-Man Air Force

Author: Philip Kaplan

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2006-02-19

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1844151778

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American volunteers Don Gentile (pronounced Jen-tilly) and John Godfrey flew together as leader and wingman respectively, with the USAAF 4th Fighter Group based at Debden near Cambridge in England. At the end of their missions with the 4th the two of them had accounted for over 58 enemy aircraft destroyed. Major Gentile had scored 22 air and 6 ground kills before he was returned to the USA to help raise money for the war effort. Major Godfrey was credited with 18 air and 12 ground kills before he was shot down and taken prisoner of war. This is the story of their amazing adventures and wartime partnership from their basic training in Canada and then onto England where they first flew the Supermarine Spitfire. It continues with their transfer to the USAAF 4th Fighter Group when the US entered the war and when the two were retrained to fly the P-47 Thunderbolt and eventually the superb P-51 Mustang. These two ace pilots loved life as much as flying - and as well as being hell-bent on destroying the enemy in the skies of Europe they also lived life to the full in their off-duty time in England.

Richard Bong
Richard Bong

Author: Pete Barnes

Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society

Published: 2009-08

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 0870204343

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Wisconsin-born Richard Bong was the highest-rated flying ace in World War II, famous for having shot down 40 Japanese planes during a 3 year career as a fighter pilot. The recipient of a Silver Star and a Congressional Medal of Honor, Bong was killed after the war in a flying accident just months after marrying the love of his life, Marge Vattendahl. Badger Biographies is a series intended to integrate reading and Wisconsin history for 4th through 8th grade students or for ELL/ESL high school students.

P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang

Author: John M. Dibbs

Publisher: Zenith Press

Published: 2002-11-30

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 9780760314111

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The greatest fighter to emerge from WWII is brought vividly to life through the stunning photographs of John Dibbs. The story is told through quotes and anecdotes of the greatest Mustang Aces of WWII. Poignant archival images are complemented by 21 of the most accurate Mustang restorations flying today. Filled with details of the men, machines and battle groups, plus forewords by Aces "Bud" Anderson and Col. Robert Goebel.

Storm of Eagles
Storm of Eagles

Author: John Dibbs

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2017-06-29

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 147282301X

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Soaring high above the fields and cities of Europe and Asia as well as the vast expanse of the Pacific, Allied and Axis pilots engaged in a deadly battle for control of the skies in World War II. Whoever won the skies would win the war. Published in association with the National Museum of World War II Aviation, Storm of Eagles is a fully illustrated coffee-table book that brings together classic as well as never-before-seen wartime images. Compiled by one of the world's premier aviation photographers and historians, this remarkable volume is a must-have for anyone interested in World War II aviation.

Warbird Legends
Warbird Legends

Author: John Dibbs

Publisher: Zenith Press

Published: 2000-09-28

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 9780760309674

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The Second World War spurred tense focus among industries of the world's powers. In the short span of six years, military aircraft developed from open-cockpit biplanes to fighters that soared to 40,000 feet and toyed with the sound barrier. Represented in this spendid volume are images of the war's 20 greatest aircraft - from the legendary Mustang, Spitfire, Flying Fortress, and Mitsubishi Zero, to lesser-known but equally awe-inspiring warbirds like the Mosquito, Blenheim, and Kingcobra. The award-winning air-to-air photography of John Dibbs captures immaculately restored aircraft and is complemented by a selection of archival, frontline images illustrating the true spirit and humanity of these Flying Legends. John M. Dibbs spent his childhood near old RAF Command Airfields. His natural interest in aviation has led to a diverse portfolio, and this collection represents his favorite images of World War II aircraft.

Flying with the Fifteenth Air Force
Flying with the Fifteenth Air Force

Author: Tom Faulkner

Publisher: University of North Texas Press

Published: 2018-11-15

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 1574417428

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In 1944 and 1945, Tom Faulkner was a B-24 pilot flying out of San Giovanni airfield in Italy as a member of the 15th Air Force of the U.S. Army Air Forces. Only 19 years old when he completed his 28th and last mission, Tom was one of the youngest bomber pilots to serve in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Between September 1944 and the end of February 1945, he flew against targets in Hungary, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Yugoslavia. On Tom’s last mission against the marshalling yards at Augsburg, Germany, his plane was severely damaged, and he had to fly to Switzerland where he and his crew were interned. The 15th Air Force generally has been overshadowed by works on the 8th Air Force based in England. Faulkner’s memoir helps fill an important void by providing a first-hand account of a pilot and his crew during the waning months of the war, as well as a description of his experiences before his military service. David L. Snead has edited the memoir and provided annotations and corroboration for the various missions.

P-38 Lightning Vol. 2
P-38 Lightning Vol. 2

Author: David Doyle

Publisher: Schiffer Military History

Published: 2019-10-28

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13: 9780764358227

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This second of two volumes continues the P-38 story by focusing on the later, mass-produced models of this historic fighter--P-38J through P-38M. Each type is examined through carefully researched archival photos, as well as photographs of currently preserved examples. Known to the enemy during World War II as the "Fork-tailed devil," the pilots of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning were charged with the responsibility of escorting American bombers deep over heavily defended Europe during the early years of the air campaign against Nazi Germany. In the Pacific, the Lightning's long range was put to good use flying over vast expanses of ocean. Detailed text and captions illustrate not only the design and construction of the later-war Lightnings, but also their combat use in WWII. Large, clear photos, coupled with descriptive and informative captions, put the reader on the airfield and in the sky with this historic aircraft.

B-17 Flying Fortress, Vol. 1
B-17 Flying Fortress, Vol. 1

Author: David Doyle

Publisher: Schiffer Military History

Published: 2020-05-28

Total Pages: 112

ISBN-13: 9780764359552

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The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history. Through a broad range of photos gathered from around the world, this book, the first of a two-volume series, chronicles the design, development, and wartime use of the early models of the Flying Fortress, from the ill-fated experimental model 299 through the B-17D, including the famous "Swoose." These early models are distinguished by their narrow fuselage, art deco styling, and a small, "shark fin" tail. A second volume will continue the B-17 story with the large-tail later models, B-17E through B-17H. The story of these iconic WWII aircraft is told through carefully researched photos, many of which have never before been published, and which are reproduced in remarkable clarity. Large, clear photos, coupled with descriptive and informative captions, unlock the secrets of this aircraft.

Consolidated B24
Consolidated B24

Author: David Doyle

Publisher: Schiffer Military History

Published: 2019-05-28

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 9780764356698

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The B-24 Liberator remains to this day the world's most produced heavy bomber and multi-engine aircraft, and the most-produced military aircraft in US history, with almost 19,000 examples leaving the assembly lines of five plants. Through a broad range of photos gathered from around the world, this book, the second of two volumes on the B-24, chronicles the design, development, and wartime use of the iconic late-production aircraft, featuring gun turrets on the nose. The story of these iconic WWII aircraft is told through carefully researched photos, many never before published, which are reproduced in remarkable clarity. Large, clear images, coupled with descriptive and informative captions, unlock the secrets of this aircraft. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.