Military (455)

From Jet Provost to Strikemaster (pb)

ISBN: 9781911667841

Author: David Watkins    Publisher: Grub Street

This book covers the complete and long overdue history of the Hunting/BAC Jet Provost and Strikemaster, which for thirty-eight years trained generations of pilo...


This book covers the complete and long overdue history of the Hunting/BAC Jet Provost and Strikemaster, which for thirty-eight years trained generations of pilots and pioneered the RAF's all-through flying training programme. Originally designed and built in 1951 as a private venture by Percival Aircraft in Luton, the Jet Provost became the primary jet-powered training aircraft for the RAF following a series of experimental courses at RAF Hullavington in 1955. By 1957, there was a contract for the production order of 100 Jet Provost T Mk. 3s. The Jet Provost even had a display flying team between 1958 and 1976 but was eventually withdrawn from RAF service in July 1993. The development of the BAC 167 Strikemaster in the 1960s saw a light-attack aircraft designed for counter-insurgency operations and predominantly used by overseas air forces. Adopted by thirteen air forces, both types have seen an array of action - from the Dhofar War to operating as close support and counter-insurgency against well-armed, communist-back guerrillas. Despite some 723 Jet Provost and Strikemaster airframes produced between 1954 and 1983, these aircraft have been overlooked in contrast to other jet types in the same period until now. David Watkins has produced an extensive look at these aircraft after years of painstaking research assisted by veterans and historians. Having accessed the archives of the Warton Collection, he has amassed a range of rare photography to accompany the extraordinary history of these jets. From Jet Provost to Strikemaster is a work of narrative and technical detail which will satisfy the most avid aviation fans.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 224


Dimensions: 185 x 246 mm


Publication Date: 29-09-2023


$69.99
From Spitfires to Vampires and Beyond : A Kiwi Ace's RAF Journey

ISBN: 9781911667490

Author: Owen Hardy    Publisher: Grub Street

World War Two Spitfire pilot Owen Hardy was probably the last New Zealand ace to tell his story. He left home at 18 bent on joining the RAF and by 1942, aged on...


World War Two Spitfire pilot Owen Hardy was probably the last New Zealand ace to tell his story. He left home at 18 bent on joining the RAF and by 1942, aged only 20, he was at Biggin Hill with 72 Squadron under Brian Kingcome. D-Day found him flying over the Normandy beaches with 485 (New Zealand) Squadron. That he survived the war unharmed owed as much to luck as it did to his ability as a fighter pilot. Unable, though, to settle in civilian life afterwards in New Zealand, he returned to the RAF for the second phase of a remarkable career. Converting to jets, Hardy went on to command 71 Squadron, leading a Vampire aerobatic team with considerable success across Europe - dodging MiGs at the same time! But adapting to peacetime service wasn't easy. Previously stimulated by the wartime environment and still passionate about flying, he was less enamoured with staff jobs; and this despite working on the introduction of a new, state-of-the-art missile system, Bloodhound. Then a fateful decision, to turn down command of a Javelin squadron and follow his mentor, led finally to disillusionment. Hardy pulls no punches in this forthright and refreshingly honest autobiography. In retelling his eye-opening story, editor Black Robertson shines a light on what it was like not just to fly in combat, but also on the changing face of a post-war RAF which arguably undervalued some of its heroes. From the heat of North Africa to the uncertainties of the Cold War, it's a unique and enthralling tale.


Bind: hardback


Pages: 256


Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm


Publication Date: 30-06-2023


$69.99
North American Aviation in the Jet Age Vol 2

ISBN: 9780764366475

Author: Mark Frankel    Publisher: Schiffer Books

The year was 1941, and the flames of world war were threatening America's shores. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called for an "Arsenal of Democracy" and deman...


The year was 1941, and the flames of world war were threatening America's shores. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called for an "Arsenal of Democracy" and demanded fabrication of 50,000 warplanes per year. But first, sprawling new airplane factories were needed. Located in the heart of Columbus, Ohio, proved to be an ideal choice. The Columbus plant was home to a broad spectrum of fascinating aircraft. Curtiss-Wright moved in, and soon, thousands of SB2C Helldivers rolled out. The Korean War found North American Aviation (NAA) of Los Angeles as the new occupant. Advanced airplanes, many of them jets, were soon in high-rate production. Some, like the T-28 Trojan and T-2, were docile trainers. The Navy FJ Fury series augmented the dogfighting F-86 Sabre jets during the 1950s. The OV-10 Bronco was built rugged for close-in jungle combat during the Vietnam War. The supersonic Vigilante was a masterpiece of homegrown advanced technology. Production at Columbus ended in 1988 with major subassemblies for the Rockwell B-1B Lancer, a strategic bomber. This is the history of the Columbus plant from pouring concrete footings in 1941 until the plant was vacated in 1988.


Bind: hardback


Pages: 192


Dimensions: 215 x 279 mm


Publication Date: 28-06-2023


$100.00
German Heavy Armored Cars

ISBN: 9780764366499

Author: David Doyle    Publisher: Schiffer Books

During WWII, Germany fielded a variety of six- and eight-wheeled armored cars, which were used in numerous ways, including reconnaissance, antitank, infantry su...


During WWII, Germany fielded a variety of six- and eight-wheeled armored cars, which were used in numerous ways, including reconnaissance, antitank, infantry support, and other roles. The earliest of these vehicles, the 6-Rad, or six-wheeled vehicles, were based on 6 x 4 truck chassis. Once the limitations of this design became evident, later models utilized specially designed all-wheel-drive power trains, with the final model, the 234 series, incorporating a unibody design. Similarly, armament evolved from 7.92 mm machine gun to 75 mm PaK 40 cannon and 7. 5 cm StuK40 howitzers. Based on the authors earlier work, through over 250 photographs this volume explores 12 major types of these vehicles and delves into the subtle changes made during production.


Bind: hardback


Pages: 144


Dimensions: 228 x 228 mm


Publication Date: 28-05-2023


$55.00
Chile 1973 (Latin America@War 6)

ISBN: 9781912174959

Author: David Francois    Publisher: Helion & Company

In 1970, Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens, a physician and leftist politician, was elected the President of Chile. Involved in political life for nearly 40 ye...


In 1970, Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens, a physician and leftist politician, was elected the President of Chile. Involved in political life for nearly 40 years, Allende adopted a policy of nationalization of industries and collectivization - measures that brought him on a collision course with the legislative and judicial branches of the government, and then the center-right majority of the Chilean Congress. Before long, calls were issued for his overthrow by force. Indeed, on 11 September 1973, the military - supported by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the USA - moved to oust Allende, and surrounded La Moneda Palace. After refusing a safe passage, Allende gave his farewell speech on live radio, and La Moneda was then subjected to air strikes and an assault by the Chilean Army. Allende committed suicide. Following Allende's death, General Augusto Pinochet installed a military junta, thus ending almost four decades of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country. His repressive regime remained in power until 1990. Starting with an in-depth study of the Chilean military, paramilitary forces and different leftist movements in particular, this volume traces the history of the build-up and the ultimate clash during the coup of 11 September 1973. Providing minute details about the motivation, organization and equipment of all involved parties, it also explains why the Chilean military not only launched the coup but also imposed itself in power, and how the leftist movements reacted Illustrated with over 100 photographs, color profiles, and maps describing the equipment, colors, markings and tactics of the Chilean military and its opponents, it is a unique study into a well-known yet much under-studied aspect of Latin America's military history.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 72


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 18-05-2018


Tags: Military   History
$49.99
Mexicans at War (Latin America@War 9)

ISBN: 9781912390069

Author: Santiago Flores    Publisher: Helion & Company

This book introduces the reader to an unknown Ally of the Second World War. Few people remember that Mexico, like Brazil, took an active part in that conflict. ...


This book introduces the reader to an unknown Ally of the Second World War. Few people remember that Mexico, like Brazil, took an active part in that conflict. This volume covers Mexican participation in the Second World War for the first time using photos, documents and testimony from official and personal archives. Mexican nationals or those of Mexican descent were already volunteering for the Allied air forces of the British Commonwealth and the Free French naval and air forces While the Mexican Republic first had to defend both its coasts and its shipping from enemy submarines, using its obsolete general purpose biplanes, following the sinking of Mexican ships by German u-boats the first North American Texan armed trainers entered service in the Gulf of Mexico, earning the title of the 'Mexican Dive Bomber'. Due to the necessities of the war, the service had to reorganize its aviation assets to be able to receive a larger number of American-built lease aircraft, which started the modernization and reorganization process that is felt even today. The war affected all aspect of Mexican military aviation from tactical units, to training, to logistics and military doctrine. This also led to the establishment of Mexican Naval Aviation which led, in turn, to the creation of its first naval squadron to patrol the Gulf of Mexico. One aspect that the war affected was the training of the new generation of military personnel, some of whom would later see action before the end of the war. As Mexico was securing its coasts and sending aviation personnel to train in the USA, it would later field its fighter squadron to participate in the liberation of the Philippine islands. By the end of the war the Mexican Air Force had experienced its most rapid growth since it was officially established back in February 1915. The text is fully supported by numerous previously unpublished photographs and color profiles showing camouflage and markings.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 232


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 04-01-2019


Tags: Military   History
$79.99
Air War over the Putumayo (Latin America@War 7)

ISBN: 9781912390236

Author: Amaru Tincopa    Publisher: Helion & Company

During 1932, the occupation of the Colombian towns of Leticia and Tarapacá by Peruvian troops and civilians, in the Amazon region, led to a conflict that almos...


During 1932, the occupation of the Colombian towns of Leticia and Tarapacá by Peruvian troops and civilians, in the Amazon region, led to a conflict that almost ended in a total war between both countries. Aviation played an important role on both sides, due to the complicated jungle environment, which makes any land movements almost impossible. After some ground and air combats, a ceasefire was agreed and the conflict was resolved. But the war over the Putumayo area became the baptism of fire for the Peruvian and Colombian air forces, leading, in the second case, to the development of its military aviation, which was almost nonexistent in 1932. For Peru, the result of the conflict was also a rearming process, which proved important when in 1941 it entered into war with Ecuador. This book is supported by a large number of rare and previously unpublished images, and specially commissioned color profiles showing camouflage and markings.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 96


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 29-08-2018


Tags: History   Military
$49.99
Ethiopian-Eritrean Wars Volume 1 (Africa@War 29)

ISBN: 9781912390298

Author: Adrien Fontanellaz    Publisher: Helion & Company

Ethiopia, a country of ancient origins in eastern Africa, has remained a military powerhouse of that continent until the present day. Currently involved in the ...


Ethiopia, a country of ancient origins in eastern Africa, has remained a military powerhouse of that continent until the present day. Currently involved in the war in neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia was also involved in half a dozen of other armed conflicts during the last 60 years. One of the most significant was the Eritrean War of Independence. Fought 1961-1991, this was one of the biggest armed conflicts on the African continent, especially if measured by numbers of combatants involved. It included a wide spectrum of operations, from 'classic' counter-insurgency (COIN) to conventional warfare in mountains - with the latter being one of the most complex and demanding undertakings possible to conduct by a military force. Campaigns run during the Eritrean War of Independence often included large formations of relatively well-equipped forces, led by well-trained commanders, utilizing complex plans based on homegrown doctrine. Airpower played a crucial - although not necessarily decisive - role in many of battles. Nevertheless, most of details about this conflict remain unknown to the wider public. Similarly, relatively few Western observers are aware of relations between the Eritrean liberation movements, and various dissident and insurgent movements inside Ethiopia - although the synergy of these eventually led the downfall of the so-called Derg government, in 1991. Reaching back to extensive studies of Ethiopian and Eritrean military history, this volume provides a detailed account of the first 25 years of this conflict: from the outbreak of armed insurgency in 1961 until the crucial battle of Afabet, in 1988. It is illustrated by over 100 contemporary photographs, maps and color profiles.


Bind: paperback


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 19-04-2018


Tags: Military   History
$49.99
Ethiopian-Eritrean Wars Volume 2 (Africa@War 30)

ISBN: 9781912390304

Author: Adrien Fontanellaz    Publisher: Helion & Company

Ethiopia, a country of ancient origins in eastern Africa, remains a military powerhouse of that continent until our days. Nowadays involved in the war in neighb...


Ethiopia, a country of ancient origins in eastern Africa, remains a military powerhouse of that continent until our days. Nowadays involved in the war in neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia was also involved in half a dozen of other armed conflicts over the last 60 years. Crucial between these was the Eritrean War of Independence. Fought 1961-1991, this was one of biggest armed conflicts on the African continent, especially if measured by numbers of involved combatants. It included a wide spectrum of operations, from 'classic' counterinsurgency (COIN) to conventional warfare in mountains - with the latter being one of the most complex and most demanding undertakings possible to conduct by a military force. Campaigns run during the Eritrean War of Independence often included large formations of relatively well-equipped forces, led by well-trained commanders, along well-thought-out plans, based on homegrown doctrine. The air power played a crucial - although not necessarily decisive - role in many of battles. Nevertheless, most of details about this conflict remain unknown in the wider public. Similarly, relatively few Western observers are aware of relations between the Eritrean liberation movements, and various dissident and insurgent movements inside Ethiopia - although the synergy of these eventually led the downfall of the so-called Derg government, in 1991. While the first volume in this mini-series spanned the history of wars between Ethiopia and Eritrea between 1961 and 1988, the second covers the period since. Correspondingly, it is providing coverage of military operations that led to the fall of the Derg government in Ethiopia of 1991, the period of Eritrean military buildup and a complete reorganization of the Ethiopian military in the 1990s, and concludes with the first detailed account of the so-called Badme War, fought between Ethiopia and Eritrea in period 1998-2001.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 80


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 31-07-2018


Tags: Military   History
$49.99
Iraqi Mirages (Middle East@War 17)

ISBN: 9781912390311

Author: Tom Cooper    Publisher: Helion & Company

Originally envisaged as a privately funded project for a possible future NATO-fighter, the Dassault Mirage F.1 evolved into one of the most aesthetically attrac...


Originally envisaged as a privately funded project for a possible future NATO-fighter, the Dassault Mirage F.1 evolved into one of the most aesthetically attractive and commercially most successful combat aircraft of the 1970s and 1980s. Developed into more than a dozen of different variants and sub-variants - each of them custom-tailored to requirements of air forces that flew it - it also became a type that saw intensive combat service in numerous wars on no less than three different continents. Iraq became the biggest export customer for Mirage F.1. One way or the other, the Iraqi Air Force significantly contributed - and financed - the further development of this type, but also influenced research and development of a number of further systems that followed in its wake - most of which eventually found their way into operational service in France. While the Mirage F.1 has attracted at least some coverage in English language publications, its acquisition and combat deployment by Iraq still remains a topic with not a few controversies. The purpose of this volume is to redress the balance and provide an in-depth insight into the acquisition process, development and equipment of custom-tailored variants made for Iraq, training of Iraqi personnel on the type, and its combat deployment during wars against Iran, 1980-1988, and against the US-led, so-called Gulf Coalition, in 1991 and afterwards. Originally envisaged and acquired as a 'pure' interceptor, before long the Mirage F.1 in Iraqi service proved a highly capable multi-role platform aircraft, and was widely deployed not only for ground attack but also anti-shipping purposes, as an aerial tanker, and for delivering long-range pinpoint attacks. Illustrated with over 120 photographs and many color profiles, this book provides a unique, single point of reference on camouflage, markings, and armament configurations of Mirage F.1s in Iraqi service.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 96


Dimensions: 210 x 297 mm


Publication Date: 25-04-2019


Tags: Military   History
$49.99
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