Reconnaissance aircraft have always been the spearhead of the various air forces, helping to provide the basis for any further military operations. At the time of the Cold War and before the satellite era, the use of reconnaissance aircraft reached its zenith, as the warring nations were determined to know what was happening on the other side. Consequently, powerful aircraft emerged during this time, especially in terms of deployment altitude, speed and flight time; achievements which have been largely unrecognised until now.
This latest two-part work provides a study of another significant arm of the Luftwaffe, the Aufklarungsflieger or reconnaissance units. Although such operations are sometimes erroneously perceived as being of secondary importance due to their lack of offensive function, the Luftwaffe was very advanced in understanding the benefits of reconnaissance. In fact no single arm of the Luftwaffe operated at such a wide number of aircraft types and many of the operations conducted by the Aufklarungsflieger units were of vital importance. This first volume will cover the aircraft and operations of the reconnaissance units from their origins in clandestine survey and photographic work over Poland and the United Kingdom in the late 1930s through to their first operational use during the Spanish Civil War. They were active in the skies across Europe, from Poland in the east to Britain in the west. They also played their part in the invasions of the Balkans and Russia. On the Russian and Mediterranean fronts, short-range reconnaissance usually involved low-level missions over enemy territory using the Fieseler Fi156 Storch and Hs126 biplanes, though Bf109s and Fw190s were also employed on such activities. Also included in this book will be an overview of the related "Wekusta" or weather reconnaissance units, responsible for the collection of meteorological data where, because of the proximity of the enemy, normal land-based observation was not available. These units were assigned directly to the Meteorological Service of the Luftwaffe High Command and were considered very valuable assets.
Reconnaissance aircraft have always been the spearhead of the various air forces, helping to provide the basis for any further military operations. At the time of the Cold War and before the satellite era, the use of reconnaissance aircraft reached its zenith, as the warring nations were determined to know what was happening on the other side. Consequently, powerful aircraft emerged during this time, especially in terms of deployment altitude, speed and flight time; achievements which have been largely unrecognized until now.
Part of the Weapons of War series, this book features more than 150 color and black & white illustrations and photographs as well as detailed specifications on fighter planes and reconnaissance aircraft from 1939-1945. Fighter and Reconnaissance Aircraft, 1939–1945 brings together the most significant fighter planes of World War II in a single, handy volume arranged in alphabetical order. The book includes typical examples such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Supermarine Spitfire, Yakovlev Yak-3, and the North American P-51 Mustang. Features 150 entries of the most important weapons of the era Every weapon is illustrated with an accurate color artwork Each entry includes a specifications table with essential information such as armament, weight, speed, and range Concise text provides a summary of the design, development, service history, and performance of each weapon
One of the most significant innovations in modern warfare has been the appearance and development of air power, a technology which demanded technical and financial investment on a whole new scale and which ultimately changed the fundamental nature of war itself. This book covers the history and development of the German air force from 1935 to 1945, with descriptions and illustrations of almost all of the Luftwaffe's airplanes, including fighters, jet fighters, dive-bombers, ground attackers, medium and heavy bombers, jet bombers, seaplanes, flying boats and carrier planes, transport and gliders, reconnaissance and training aircrafts, helicopters, and many futuristic projects and other rarities.
Except in a few instances, since World War II no American soldier or sailor has been attacked by enemy air power. Conversely, no enemy soldier orsailor has acted in combat without being attacked or at least threatened by American air power. Aviators have brought the air weapon to bear against enemies while denying them the same prerogative. This is the legacy of the U.S. AirForce, purchased at great cost in both human and material resources.More often than not, aerial pioneers had to fight technological ignorance, bureaucratic opposition, public apathy, and disagreement over purpose.Every step in the evolution of air power led into new and untrodden territory, driven by humanitarian impulses; by the search for higher, faster, and farther flight; or by the conviction that the air way was the best way. Warriors have always coveted the high ground. If technology permitted them to reach it, men, women andan air force held and exploited it-from Thomas Selfridge, first among so many who gave that "last full measure of devotion"; to Women's Airforce Service Pilot Ann Baumgartner, who broke social barriers to become the first Americanwoman to pilot a jet; to Benjamin Davis, who broke racial barriers to become the first African American to command a flying group; to Chuck Yeager, a one-time non-commissioned flight officer who was the first to exceed the speed of sound; to John Levitow, who earned the Medal of Honor by throwing himself over a live flare to save his gunship crew; to John Warden, who began a revolution in air power thought and strategy that was put to spectacular use in the Gulf War.Industrialization has brought total war and air power has brought the means to overfly an enemy's defenses and attack its sources of power directly. Americans have perceived air power from the start as a more efficient means of waging war and as a symbol of the nation's commitment to technology to master challenges, minimize casualties, and defeat adversaries.
Messerschmitt: History, with a Twist of Fiction By: L K Tompkins Following Czech Republic’s struggle to liberate itself from Soviet oppression, covert intelligence agent Jack Kirkpatrick travels to Nachod, Czech Republic on a mission to uncover a deadly technology the Russians stole from the Nazis after WWII. There he teams up with the savvy and stunning Eva Fridrich, an MI6 agent connected with Czechoslovakian resistance force “Freedom Radio”. Kirkpatrick’s mission leads him on a winding path across continents and Europe as he endeavors to uncover this mystery. Messerschmitt is steeped in intrigue and adventure intertwined with true events.
Fully illustrated analysis of all World War II aircraft in British military service, including full descriptions and specifications, hundreds of action photos and highly accurate, full-color artwork.
Military Jet Aircraft is a fully illustrated guide to over fifty of the most important jet-engined aircraft developed between 1945 and the present day, with an artwork and description of each aircraft type alongside action photographs and a comprehensive specifications.
